International Tax & Cross-Border Consulting
Serving expatriates, foreign investors, and multinational businesses with FIRPTA, FATCA, and cross-border compliance.
Cross-Border Tax Solutions for Businesses & Private Clients
Managing global assets demands strategic planning. We provide specialized tax advisory for multinational businesses—including E-commerce, Oil & Gas, and Legal Services—as well as tech founders, foreign investors (FIRPTA), and private clients. From optimizing partner compensation for international law firms to navigating complex treaties, our Austin-based team ensures your cross-border operations are tax-efficient and compliant.
Compliance & Planning Standards
U.S. Taxation of Worldwide Income As a U.S. citizen or resident, you are generally taxed on your global income, not just what you earn in the U.S. However, we utilize Foreign Tax Credits (FTC) and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) to prevent double taxation. Our goal is to apply the relevant treaties to minimize your liability while keeping you fully compliant.
FIRPTA (Foreign Real Estate Investors) The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) mandates a withholding tax of up to 15% when a foreign person sells U.S. real estate. We assist with withholding certificates (Form 8288-B) to reduce this amount upfront and handle the final tax return to help you reclaim over-withheld funds.
FATCA & FBAR Compliance The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires strict reporting of foreign financial assets. Failure to file Form 8938 or the FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) can result in severe penalties. We manage these complex disclosures to ensure your international portfolio is reported correctly.
Streamlined Filing (Amnesty) If you are behind on your U.S. tax obligations, you may qualify for the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures. We help non-compliant taxpayers catch up on past returns penalty-free (in many cases) without fear of criminal prosecution.
Cross-Border Tax Roadmap
Residency & Nexus
We determine your tax home using the "Substantial Presence Test" and treaty tie-breaker rules to establish exactly where you owe tax first.
Credit Optimization
We apply Foreign Tax Credits (FTC) and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) to neutralize double taxation on your global income.
Global Compliance
We execute your filings (FBAR, FATCA, Form 5471) with precision, ensuring full transparency to avoid costly IRS penalties.
Common Cross-Border Scenarios
I own rental property outside the U.S.
I have a foreign pension (Superannuation / SIPP)
I received a large gift from a non-U.S. person
Common International Tax Questions
Do I have to pay U.S. taxes on money I earn abroad? Generally, yes. The U.S. taxes based on citizenship, not residency. This means your worldwide income is subject to taxation. However, we utilize tools like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Tax Credits to reduce or eliminate double taxation so you don't pay twice on the same dollar.
What triggers a FIRPTA withholding requirement? FIRPTA applies when a foreign person sells a U.S. real estate interest. The buyer is typically required to withhold 15% of the gross sales price and send it to the IRS. We help sellers apply for a Withholding Certificate to reduce this amount if the actual tax liability is lower than the 15% withholding.
What is the difference between FATCA and FBAR? While both deal with foreign assets, they are filed differently. FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is filed if you have over $10,000 in foreign accounts at any time. FATCA (Form 8938) is filed with your tax return and has higher thresholds ($50k+ for residents, higher for expats). We review your portfolio to ensure both are filed correctly to avoid penalties.
Ready to Secure Your Global Assets?
Don't let cross-border complexity erode your wealth. Schedule a strategic consultation to align your international portfolio with U.S. tax law.
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