Mel Whitney
- Non-resident taxation
- Real estate taxation
- Tax optimization
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Humboldt State University
Articles
Where to report foreign income on Form 1040 – and how to exclude it legally
US citizens and green card holders must report their worldwide income – no matter where they live or earn it. The IRS enforces strict rules on disclosing foreign income and offers compliance options such as the SFOP for eligible tax...
What is double taxation: How it works & ways to avoid it
Double taxation is one term that often becomes a cause for concern for those who live or do business abroad. ...
FBAR vs. FATCA: What US expats need to know about foreign asset reporting
Money earned in 2025 is only part of your tax picture. The moment you keep savings, investments, or other funds outside the country, the IRS wants to see the full story. Many Americans abroad are surprised by how quickly foreign accounts become part of their yearly filing, which is why FBAR and FATCA play such an important role in staying complia...
Capital gains tax on foreign property: How to report and exclusions you can use (2025)
US tax rules follow you no matter where you live. When you sell a home or land in another country, the IRS still wants you to report the profit. In simple words, you figure out how much money you made, change the numbers into US dollars, and then see what tax breaks you can use. Yes, US citizens and residents must report and may need to...
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): Complete guide 2026
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion is one of the few tax rules that actually feels like a win for Americans abroad. The IRS taxes your worldwide income from every place you earn money, so this break is a big deal when most of your pay comes from work overseas. In 2025, the rules behind the foreign income exclusion stay simple: meet one of two re...
What is FIRPTA? A guide for foreign sellers and US buyers
The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 sets the rules for foreign people who sell a home in the US. Many sellers wonder, What is FIRPTA? And why does it matter during the sale of their property? So this guide explains it in very easy words. It also shows how a tax obligation works and when FIRPTA exceptions can help. ...