A majority of American households today make pets a part of the family. More and more, people want to see pets provided for even after the passing of the human members of the family. In the past,
US IRS rules, regulations and laws, for US Citizens, Americans, green card holders, and nonresidents living abroad or moving to the US or out of the US.... valuable information on IRS rules concerning U.S. expatriates and their tax returns, and tax planning.... by an experienced International Tax Attorney
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June 15, 2016
Expats should include their pets in estate plan
A majority of American households today make pets a part of the family. More and more, people want to see pets provided for even after the passing of the human members of the family. In the past,
June 5, 2016
FBAR FORM 114 DEADLINE FOR FILING IS JUNE 30TH
May 30, 2016
US Expatriate Tax Return Due Date Deadlines
- June 15, 2016: US Expat Tax Tax Return Deadline (without applying for an extension)
- June 30, 2016: Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) Filing Deadline
- October 17, 2016: Final US Expat Tax Deadline
May 17, 2016
WHEN THE IRS CALLS, DON'T BE FOOLED... IT MOST LIKELY IS SOMEONE ELSE
The Internal Revenue Service has some advice for taxpayers this April Fool’s Day that may prevent them from being the victim of a tax scam: Don’t be fooled by scammers. Stay safe and be informed. Here are some of the most recent IRS-related scams to be on the lookout for:
- Call to demand immediate payment over the phone or call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
- Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
- Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
- Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone or threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
- Don’t reply to the message.
- Don’t give out your personal or financial information.
- Forward the email to phishing@irs.gov. Then delete it.
- Don’t open any attachments or click on any links. They may have malicious code that will infect your computer.
Additional IRS Resources:
May 13, 2016
US EXPATRIATES - HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR ARE COMMITTING TAX FRAUD SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES?
- Understating income,
- Maintaining inadequate records,
- Implausible or inconsistent explanations of behavior,
- Concealment of income or assets,
- Failing to cooperate with tax authorities,
- Engaging in illegal activities,
- Lack of credibility of the taxpayer's testimony,
- Filing false documents,
- Failing to file tax returns,
- Failing to make estimated payments, and
- Dealing in cash.
April 24, 2016
US Expatriates Who Are Self Employed May Save Taxes With The Home Office Deduction
As an expatriate ifyou use part of your home for business, you may be able to deduct expenses for the business use of your home. The home office deduction is available for homeowners and renters, and applies to all types of homes.
Simplified Option
For taxable years starting on, or after, January 1, 2013 (filed beginning in 2014), you now have a simpler option for computing the business use of your home (IRS Revenue Procedure 2013-13, January 15, 2013). The standard method has some calculation, allocation, and substantiation requirements that are complex and burdensome for small business owners. This new simplified option can significantly reduce recordkeeping burden by allowing a qualified taxpayer to multiply a prescribed rate by the allowable square footage of the office in lieu of determining actual expenses.
Regular Method
Taxpayers using the regular method (required for tax years 2012 and prior), instead of the optional method, must determine the actual expenses of their home office. These expenses may include mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs, and depreciation. Generally, when using the regular method, deductions for a home office are based on the percentage of your home devoted to business use. So, if you use a whole room or part of a room for conducting your business, you need to figure out the percentage of your home devoted to your business activities.
Requirements to Claim the Deduction
Regardless of the method chosen, there are two basic requirements for your home to qualify as a deduction:
1. Regular and Exclusive Use.
You must regularly use part of your home exclusively for conducting business. For example, if you use an extra room to run your business, you can take a home office deduction for that extra room.
2. Principal Place of Your Business.
You must show that you use your home as your principal place of business. If you conduct business at a location outside of your home, but also use your home substantially and regularly to conduct business, you may qualify for a home office deduction. For example, if you have in-person meetings with patients, clients, or customers in your home in the normal course of your business, even though you also carry on business at another location, you can deduct your expenses for the part of your home used exclusively and regularly for business. You can deduct expenses for a separate free-standing structure, such as a studio, garage, or barn, if you use it exclusively and regularly for your business. The structure does not have to be your principal place of business or the only place where you meet patients, clients, or customers.
Generally, deductions for a home office are based on the percentage of your home devoted to business use. So, if you use a whole room or part of a room for conducting your business, you need to figure out the percentage of your home devoted to your business activities.
Additional tests for employee use. If you are an employee and you use a part of your home for business, you may qualify for a deduction for its business use. You must meet the tests discussed above plus:
Your business use must be for the convenience of your employer, and
You must not rent any part of your home to your employer and use the rented portion to perform services as an employee for that employer.
If the use of the home office is merely appropriate and helpful, you cannot deduct expenses for the business use of your home.
April 18, 2016
9 Tax Return Items That Will Cause An IRS Audit
April 17, 2016
IRS URGES AMERICANS TO COME CLEAN FAST BEFORE THEY GO THRU PANAMA PAPERS
The IRS also encouraged any U.S. citizens and companies that may have money in offshore accounts to contact the agency now before any possible illegal activity on their part is identified. According to media reports, the documents contain information on potentially thousands of U.S. citizens and firms that have at least an indirect connection to offshore accounts affiliated with Mossack Fonseca. Many other firms provide similar services, and the Treasury Department estimated last yearthat more than $300 billion dollars of illicit proceeds are generated in the United States annually, with criminals using such companies here and abroad to launder funds.