International Tax Advisor
December 5, 2025
Thinking about investing in property overseas?
Before you sign a deal, there’s one thing more important than location, rental yield, or appreciation potential:
How each country taxes your real estate income.
Many investors assume that the rules that work in the U.S. will naturally apply abroad. But when you start investing internationally, you quickly realize that every tax system has its own logic — and they rarely match.
One of my American expat clients learned this firsthand while managing homes in both New York and Madrid. The differences between the IRS and Spain’s Hacienda were surprising — and costly.
If you’re an expat, global investor, or planning to buy real estate in Spain or the USA, this guide will help you understand the tax rules that can directly impact your returns.
November 26, 2025
When most Americans invest abroad, they focus on the opportunity—returns, diversification, and passive income. But what many cross-border investors don’t realize is that the real risk often lies not in the investment itself, but in how the IRS classifies that investment.
November 25, 2025
If you're a business owner looking to legally reduce your tax burden, protect cash flow, and maximize year-end deductions, now is the time to take action. Many business owners make the mistake of thinking about taxes in April—but that’s too late.
The most impactful tax savings for the upcoming year happen before December 31.
Right now—in November and December—you have the opportunity to make smart financial moves that can significantly lower your 2025 tax bill.
November 19, 2025
If you’ve ever overpaid your estimated taxes or gotten a large refund at tax time, you’ve essentially given the IRS an interest-free loan.
Most taxpayers don’t realize how much cash flow they lose each year by paying too much, too early. For high-income earners, real estate professionals, and business owners, this can mean tens of thousands of dollars sitting idle—money that could have been working for you.
The good news? With smart tax timing and proper planning, you can stay fully compliant with IRS rules while keeping your money invested until it’s truly needed.
November 18, 2025
If you’ve ever overpaid your estimated taxes or gotten a large refund at tax time, you’ve essentially given the IRS an interest-free loan.
Most taxpayers don’t realize how much cash flow they lose each year by paying too much, too early. For high-income earners, real estate professionals, and business owners, this can mean tens of thousands of dollars sitting idle—money that could have been working for you.
The good news? With smart tax timing and proper planning, you can stay fully compliant with IRS rules while keeping your money invested until it’s truly needed.
November 12, 2025
If you’ve ever overpaid your estimated taxes or gotten a large refund at tax time, you’ve essentially given the IRS an interest-free loan.
Most taxpayers don’t realize how much cash flow they lose each year by paying too much, too early. For high-income earners, real estate professionals, and business owners, this can mean tens of thousands of dollars sitting idle—money that could have been working for you.
The good news? With smart tax timing and proper planning, you can stay fully compliant with IRS rules while keeping your money invested until it’s truly needed.
November 10, 2025
For many small business owners, year-end can feel like standing at the intersection of opportunity and overwhelm. There’s revenue to report, bonuses to pay, and—most importantly—strategies to make sure your hard-earned money doesn’t slip away to unnecessary taxes.
November 7, 2025
Every year, I meet U.S. expats who move abroad excited to start fresh — new country, new job, new opportunities. But there’s one thing that often gets overlooked in the excitement: U.S. tax obligations.
If you’ve recently moved overseas for work, this one’s for you.
November 6, 2025
Understanding When Italian VAT Applies
For U.S. companies selling goods or services into Italy, Value-Added Tax (VAT) can apply even without a legal presence in the country. VAT obligations depend primarily on where your customer is established and whether the supply is deemed to take place in Italy under EU VAT rules.
Foreign businesses often overlook VAT exposure when expanding into European markets. However, Italy’s tax authority — the Agenzia delle Entrate — enforces strict compliance, making early understanding essential.
November 6, 2025
Importing goods into Italy from the United States involves navigating a detailed framework of EU customs procedures, import VAT obligations, and business registration requirements. Whether you’re a U.S. individual residing in Italy or a foreign company selling to Italian customers, understanding your importation status, customs clearance responsibilities, and tax recovery options is crucial to ensuring compliance and optimizing costs.
November 6, 2025
Foreign businesses expanding operations into Italy often face a complex question: When does activity in Italy create a Permanent Establishment (PE)? Understanding Italy’s PE rules is critical for U.S. LLCs and corporations to remain compliant while optimizing cross-border tax exposure
November 6, 2025
For many U.S. citizens and green card holders, the allure of life in Italy—its culture, cuisine, and charm—comes with an intricate web of cross-border tax obligations. Understanding the Italy–U.S. tax interplay is crucial for compliance and for optimizing after-tax income.
November 5, 2025
When it comes to financial planning, few things are as deceptively simple — yet potentially disastrous — as a missing name on a beneficiary form. One client’s experience illustrates how a single blank line on a 401(k) form led to an unexpected $70,000 tax bill, turning what should have been a smooth inheritance into an expensive lesson.
November 3, 2025
As a tax professional who works closely with real estate agents, brokers, and investors, I’m constantly reminded how even the most successful professionals can lose thousands of dollars in missed deductions — often without realizing it.
October 31, 2025
Living and working abroad offers exciting opportunities for career growth, lifestyle experiences, and financial diversification. However, for U.S. citizens and green card holders, earning foreign income comes with unique tax obligations that are often misunderstood or overlooked.
As a CPA with over 20 years of experience helping U.S. expats navigate complex tax rules, I’ve seen firsthand how even minor missteps in reporting foreign income can lead to penalties, interest, or missed tax benefits. This guide explains what counts as foreign income, how it is taxed, and key strategies for staying compliant while maximizing benefits.
October 30, 2025
Proper planning and strategic utilization of deductions can save thousands every year. This guide breaks down the most important deductions, eligibility rules, and best practices to ensure you stay compliant while maximizing your tax benefits
October 29, 2025
When individuals or businesses in Colombia want to protect assets, manage investments, or structure real estate projectsYear-end taxes are sneaking up fast, and if it feels like the calendar just flipped to fall, that’s because it did! Still, the smartest business owners and real estate professionals know: November is the prime time to get ahead of tax season pressure and set up a stress-free year-end finish.
October 28, 2025
A Colombian Fiduciary (Fiducia) is a popular financial structure used in Colombia for managing assets, investments, and real estate projects. While it might look similar to a U.S. trust, the two are not treated the same—especially by the IRS. For U.S. taxpayers with ties to Colombia, misunderstanding this difference can lead to serious tax reporting issues.
This article explains how Fiducias work, how they compare to U.S. trusts, and why the IRS often classifies them as foreign trusts—triggering reporting obligations on Forms 3520 and 3520-A. If you’re investing or managing property in Colombia, understanding the U.S. tax implications of a Fiducia is essential to stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.
October 27, 2025
Working as an independent contractor offers freedom and growth potential—but also unique tax responsibilities. Unlike traditional employees, contractors must handle self-employment taxes, quarterly payments, and meticulous recordkeeping. This guide, based on over a decade of CPA experience, breaks down everything from IRS classification and key deductions to common mistakes, essential forms, and entity structures that can help lower your tax bill. With the right planning, contractors can stay compliant, reduce tax liability, and turn tax season into a strategic opportunity for financial growth.
October 24, 2025
Unlock the Power of the 1031 Exchange
If you’re a real estate investor aiming to grow your portfolio without getting hit by capital gains taxes, the 1031 exchange can be a game-changer. This IRS-approved strategy allows you to sell one investment property and reinvest in another “like-kind” property—deferring taxes and keeping more of your money working for you. By following strict timelines and reinvesting all proceeds through a qualified intermediary, investors can scale into higher-value properties, boost cash flow, and build long-term wealth. Mastering this strategy can help you preserve capital, diversify holdings, and create a stronger legacy for future generations.
October 20, 2025
The QBI deduction allows eligible businesses... to deduct up to 20% of qualified business income from their taxable income. This deduction can significantly reduce your effective tax rate. With the act making the QBI deduction permanent, business owners can now confidently incorporate this key tax benefit into long-term financial planning without fearing sudden loss of tax savings.
October 17, 2025
Private lending offers entrepreneurs fast, flexible access to capital, making it an increasingly popular alternative to traditional banks. However, this speed often comes with hidden dangers.
The less-regulated nature of private loan contracts means they frequently contain complex or unfavorable terms buried in the fine print. Clauses like Prepayment Penalties (which prevent early repayment) or Interest-Only Payment Periods can cost borrowers tens of thousands in unexpected fees and interest.
Don't risk your business on verbal promises or skimmed documents. To protect yourself, always read every word, seek professional advice before signing, and negotiate unfair conditions. Knowledge is your best defense against costly private lending pitfalls.
October 15, 2025
Balancing retirement savings and business reinvestment is one of the toughest financial decisions business owners face. How much should you set aside for retirement versus putting back into your company’s growth? This article explores key strategies for retirement planning for entrepreneurs, tax-advantaged savings options, diversification tips, and real-life insights to help you make smarter, long-term financial choices. Learn how to align your age, goals, and business potential to secure both your future and your company’s success.
October 14, 2025
The 1031 Exchange, also known as a "like-kind exchange," is one of the most powerful tax deferral tools for U.S. real estate investors. It allows investors to sell an investment property and reinvest the proceeds into a similar "like-kind" property without immediately paying capital gains tax. This effectively defers the tax liability, keeping more capital invested to accelerate portfolio growth and wealth building. To successfully execute a 1031 Exchange, strict IRS rules must be followed, including the use of a Qualified Intermediary and adherence to the 45-day property identification and 180-day closing deadlines. Though complex, utilizing a 1031 exchange can be a game changer for maximizing returns and scaling a real estate empire.
October 10, 2025
Operating across borders brings immense opportunities—but also complex tax challenges. One of the most crucial areas for any multinational business is transfer pricing—the pricing of goods, services, or intangibles exchanged between related entities. Far from being arbitrary, these prices must follow the arm’s length principle, ensuring they reflect fair market value to prevent profit shifting and double taxation. Noncompliance can lead to severe penalties, audits, and reputational damage. Understanding key regulations, documentation requirements, and OECD guidelines is essential for staying compliant. This article breaks down the fundamentals of transfer pricing, its risks, and how to safeguard your multinational operations through robust compliance practices.
October 8, 2025
Owning property abroad is exciting, but for U.S. citizens, it's a major tax and compliance hurdle. The IRS requires detailed reporting of foreign rental income (Schedule E), and transactions may trigger FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA (Form 8938) filings with steep penalties for non-compliance. Capital gains are taxable, and deductions must be properly managed using forms like the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) to avoid double taxation.
The key mistake is relying on domestic accountants; international real estate requires expertise in both U.S. cross-border regulations and local tax laws (like Spain's GILT tax). Working with a specialized CPA before purchasing can save significant time, money, and legal stress by ensuring accurate, timely filings and simplifying multi-layered compliance.
October 6, 2025
International tax compliance can feel like a maze — especially for CPAs serving clients with overseas businesses or investments. Recently, I helped a fellow CPA navigate complex cross-border reporting for their client, and that collaboration inspired me to formally offer dedicated international compliance support for accountants and their clients.
October 1, 2025
Loan agreements can come with hidden terms and costly surprises that every business owner should understand before signing. From prepayment penalties and “late” fees to automatic withdrawals and obscure clauses, the fine print can easily lead to financial headaches—even after the loan appears paid off. Real-world stories reveal why careful contract review is essential for protecting your bottom line and avoiding unpleasant disputes. Read on to learn which loan agreement clauses to watch for, and how proactive attention to your business’s loan paperwork can help you avoid expensive mistakes.
September 26, 2025
Discover why mixing personal and business finances can jeopardize your small business. Learn expert CPA tips on keeping your financial records separate to protect liability, maximize tax deductions, and build strong business credit. Essential advice for contractors, real estate investors, and local business owners.
September 25, 2025
Discover why mixing personal and business finances can jeopardize your small business. Learn expert CPA tips on keeping your financial records separate to protect liability, maximize tax deductions, and build strong business credit. Essential advice for contractors, real estate investors, and local business owners.