Reid Kopald
Articles
QEF election explained: How to use the Qualified Electing Fund for PFIC reporting
Before diving into a QEF election, it helps to see where the problem begins. Many US shareholders invest overseas and only later learn the IRS treats their fund as a PFIC. This happens when a foreign corporation earns 75% passive income or holds 50% passive assets, ...
Form 8814: Parent's Election to Report Child's Interest and Dividends
Quick answer: Form 8814 allows parents to report their child's investment income (interest and dividends) on their own tax return instead of filing a separate return for the child. This election is available when the child's investment income is less than $2,700 and gross income doesn't exceed $13,500 (2025 limits).</...
Is foreign pension income taxable in the US? What expats must know
The question: are foreign pensions taxable in the US, comes up a lot for retirees living abroad, and the answer is simple. The US counts most money you get from another country as income. This is because the law says income from almost anywhere must be reported. So when you get money from a retirement plan overseas, the IRS wants to see it. You m...
Year-end tax planning tips for Americans abroad and in the US to reduce your 2025 tax bill
Year-end tax planning is about keeping more of what you earned in 2025. The steps you take now can reduce your tax bill, strengthen long-term savings, and set you up for a smooth 2026 – whether you’re in Austin, Amsterdam, Seoul, or Los Angeles. For Americans abroad, foreign income, foreign tax payments, and cross-border rep...
Unlocking paradise: The top tax-friendly havens for Americans retiring abroad
Retirement is your time to dream bigger, live freely, and choose where you truly belong. Across continents, tax-friendly countries to retire in are drawing Americans with their beauty, culture, and cost efficiency. "Retirement is a chance to make new choices unburdened by the constraints of yesteryears....
Foreign grantor trusts: tax strategies for cross-border families and wealth management
Foreign trusts are a popular tool for families managing wealth across borders. A foreign grantor trust is a type of trust established outside the US, generally by a non-US person who retains certain powers or ownership rights. While these trusts can be highly efficient for estate planning and global asset protection, they come with stri...