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  • The 12 Bona Fide Residence Test Factors

    The 12 Bona Fide Residence Test Factors

    US citizens and residents are subject to tax on worldwide income regardless of the location of their permanent home. Expatriates and Americans who are continuously living overseas are still required to file US income tax return and pay any taxes due. Because of the immense burden on taxpayers, Section 911 of the Tax Code was enacted to heave a sigh of relief. The current language of the statute has its roots back to 1942 when Congress considered it necessary to encourage, promote and stimulate international trade, by providing foreign earned income exclusion. The exclusion is capped at $100,800 for 2015 and $101,300 for 2016 tax year. Foreign earned income is defined as income derived from or attributable to services performed in a foreign country. But what is the definition of a foreign country?

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  • Tax Guide for Americans & Expats Living in the United Kingdom

    Tax Guide for Americans & Expats Living in the United Kingdom

    This tax guide aims to supplement and enhance your understanding of the UK income tax laws by providing current insights and practical information. In addition, we have also stressed on valuable tax planning opportunities and tax treaty provisions available to United States citizens, permanent residents, and expatriates residing in the UK.

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  • Fraud & Tax Numbers. The IRS revokes ITINs not used on a return.

    Fraud & Tax Numbers. The IRS revokes ITINs not used on a return.

    The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a nine-digit number that is used to identify certain individual taxpayers within the tax system. The ITIN is assigned directly by the IRS to eligible nonresident and resident taxpayers who do not have and do not qualify for a Social Security Number. The first ITIN was issued back in 1996 when the IRS replaced the temporary Internal Revenue Service Number (IRSN) with the ITIN as a mean to address accurate identification of international taxpayers with tax return filing or reporting requirements. Until recently, the number was personal and valid for life. Well, not anymore!

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  • 10 Real-Life Examples Why American Expatriates Should File a U.S. Tax Return

    10 Real-Life Examples Why American Expatriates Should File a U.S. Tax Return

    Believe it or not, American citizens and residents are obliged to file a U.S. income tax return even if residing outside the United States. Despite the media coverage of the IRS efforts to enforce offshore compliance, many taxpayers are still unaware of the tax implications that follow a decision to relocate abroad. On the other side are the taxpayers who knowingly object filing a return for a number of reasons ranging from a frustrated "It's not fair!" or "Why to pay taxes if I live abroad?" to the stranded "I'd never go back!" To all of you, regardless of your reasons, these real-life examples will make you think twice when the tax season comes!

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  • The Individual Tax Reform Provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

    The Individual Tax Reform Provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

    On December 22nd, 2017, The President signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (Pub. Law 115-97). The long-awaited attempt to reform the broken tax code is a fact. Though not exactly “far bigger than anyone imagines", the tax code changes affect us all. This article highlights all individual tax reform provisions, with an emphasis on U.S. expats and international taxpayers.

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