Articles

5 Ways the IRS Can Fine & Penalize Taxpayers

You’ve done the work and your tax return is prepared - now what? In the unfortunate circumstance that you owe the IRS tax, your project is not done until you’ve paid the piper. Let’s examine separately the various fees the IRS may charge you: • Interest • Failure to Pay Estimated Payments<...

Bitcoin & Other Virtual Currencies on Your U.S. Tax Return

Welcome to the gold rush of 2017, where the new gold is no longer a physical product, but virtual currency (cryptocurrency).  All the ...

New IRS Identity Verification Requirement - How to Comply And What This Means For Overseas Americans

Starting from the 2016 tax year, the IRS and state revenue agencies require tax practitioners to verify client identity and to document the methods used.  “Just doing my job” - Please do not get angry with your tax preparer.  The IRS, in an effort to tackle identity theft,...

The State of California - Can Expats Ever Leave (Tax-Wise)?

In California, when Proposition 55 passed it extended the “temporary” tax of 13.3% on higher income earners through 2030. It is applicable to approximately 1.5 percent of people in California - single filers earning USD 263,000 and joint filers earning USD 526,000. This tax rate is higher than any others in the United States. The anticipated fede...

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Tax Provisions for Americans Living Abroad - Facts vs Fiction

1. Does the U.S. citizen residing abroad need to have foreign health coverage in order to qualify for the ACA exemption? - No, presence of foreign health coverage is not necessary. 2. Does the U.S. citizen/green card holder with foreign health coverage provided by foreign employer or through the ...

Three Reasons to Obtain a Duplicate American Passport

If you are a ‘frequent traveler, obtaining a duplicate passport may prove itself to be the best decision you can make. Do you travel abroad regularly or live outside the US? If the answer is, ‘Yes!’, then you already know the importance of carrying a valid passport. Did you also know that ...