New U.S. Law Concerning Reporting on Overseas Accounts
Erin
19 January, 2012 12:53
A new law that requires overseas financial institutions to report on accounts held by U.S. citizens may make opening accounts overseas more difficult for expats. (More)
Gift Taxes for American Expats
EasyExpat
10 January, 2012 16:10
Article sponsored by TAXESforEXPATS.com
By IJ Zemelman, EA, Taxes for Expats
When something is given without expectation of reimbursement, it’s a gift. When a gift is given, it is taxed as such. As American living abroad, the most relevant gifts to this topic are the things and monies one gives their children and grandchildren. The IRS states that the rules for gift taxes are virtually the same for expats as they are for citizens on U.S. soil. If a U.S. citizen gives a gift to another U.S. citizen, the taxes are the same whether one or both of them are expats. (More)
French Pension Plans
Erin
13 September, 2011 15:44
This
article is part of a series describing different pension systems around
the world. You will find the other articles already published at the
bottom.
French Social Security
Everyone working in France must contribute to the French Social Security system. Everyone is also entitled to benefit from social security without exception. This is called Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU) or"health plan for everybody" with only .1 percent of people not covered.
Pensions are split into three levels:
- Retraite De Base or Minimum State Pension
- Retraite Complémentaire or Supplementary Pension
- Private Schemes
Most people rely on the mandatory plans and do not have voluntary or private pension scheme. (More)
How to Live in a City with a High Cost of Living
Erin
03 August, 2011 08:01
What city takes top spot as most expensive changes frequently, but the front-runners usually go to the same few cities with occasional upsets. Everyone has different standards of living, but it is important to know what exactly you are getting into when you move to a city with a high cost of living.
Cost of Living
The definition of cost of living is the amount of money needed to sustain a certain level of living, including basic expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare. Cost of living is often used when comparing how expensive it is to live in one city versus another. (More)
German Pension Plans
Erin
24 June, 2011 08:59
This article is part of a series describing different pension systems around the world. You will find the other articles already published at the bottom.
History of the German Pension Plan
Otto von Bismarck was a national-liberal statesman of the late 19th century that had the ear of Emperor Wilhelm. He is credited with establishing social insurance, partly which benefited the elderly and sickly. From 1891 it has been possible to obtain an old-age pension if over the age of 70 years old. This was a little dubious as the average life expectancy was 45 years at the time.
(More)
Important Issues You Should Consider Regarding Expatriate Taxation Before Your Move Abroad
EasyExpat
11 May, 2011 10:40
Article sponsored by TAXESforEXPATS.com
By IJ Zemelman, EA, Taxes for Expats
Moving overseas means everything is new and different. That’s the attraction, for the most part. But sometimes, new and different just means more complicated. When it comes to overseas taxes, it’s better to learn as much as you can before you move. To avoid the most common pitfalls, here are five things you should know before you go:
1. While Living Abroad You Will Qualify for Special Deductions and Exclusions.
Some people don’t realize this, but when living and working overseas, as an Expat, you are still required to file a US tax return. You will qualify for certain exclusions and credits, however, that will make this a much more enjoyable experience.
(More)
UK Pension plans
Erin
07 February, 2011 10:06
This article is part of a series describing different pension systems around the world. You will find the other articles already published at the bottom.
History of the UK Pension
The first pension schemes in the UK were actually organized for Royal Navy
Officers in the 1670s. In 1908, the arrangement was formalized with the creation
of the Old Age Pensions Act. Sir William Beveridge, father of the welfare state,
was an adviser on the program that provided assistance to the elderly and
honored them on January lst, 1909 with "Pensions Day".
(More)
Pension Plans for Americans
Erin
10 January, 2011 12:23
We are starting a series of articles describing different pension systems around the world.
History of US Pension
Public pensions began as "promises" made to veterans of the Revolutionary War. Those who served were often informally, and sometimes legally, promised financial security after the conflict. These agreements were much more widely used during the Civil War.
(More)
New Year, New Taxes
Erin
07 January, 2011 10:43
Rome Hotel Tax
Rome has hosted visitors for centuries and no matter the cost, one can expect it will continue to be a favorite of tourists for centuries to come. That doesn't mean a new tax on the city's visitors is appreciated. Along with people gathering around the Piazza del Popolo to ring in 2011, a new tax on tourism arrived as well.
What it is?
From January 1st, all visitors are expected to pay a per-person (over the age of ten), per-night tax on the first ten nights of their stay in Rome. (More)
Tourist Tax in America
Erin
30 August, 2010 08:28
Travelers to the USA may be looking forward to saving some money as the value of the dollar has diminished, but they will have to pay a new tourist tax first.
When?
On September 8th, 2010 the new tax will be initiated. The Travel Promotion Act was signed into law by President Obama in March 2010.
How much?
It is a $10 fee with a $4 administration fee equalling $14. It will only be collected once every two years. (More)
Pre-nuptial agreements: of any use in England?
EasyExpat
20 October, 2009 15:52
The Court of Appeal in England has recently re-made the law concerning the recognition of pre-nuptial agreements in England. So, what does this mean for you as an expatriate who may or may not have a prenuptial agreement in place with your spouse?
In July 2009 one of Germany’s richest women, Katrin Radmacher was awarded victory in her appeal to have her pre-nuptial agreement recognised in the English courts. Her former husband, Nicolas Grantatino had signed a pre-nuptial not to make any claims on her fortune if they split up, however he was awarded £5.85 million for his own use by a High Court Judge in 2008. The Court of Appeal overturned that decision. (More)
Fiduciary & Offshore Factoring with Expert Expat
EasyExpat
28 September, 2009 16:44
Fiduciary Factoring is the most effective Tax Planning Solution for optimisation of your income in a tax-free offshore environment.
The main purpose of Fiduciary Factoring - also known as Offshore Factoring - is to expatriate all or part of your income and assets into offshore funds.
Fiduciary Factoring offers attractive advantages as part of your Tax Planning strategy providing benefits that you may have thought inaccessible.
Forget about so-called government tax exemption programmes in real estate and other areas, and consider all of the opportunities allowed by alternative Tax Planning schemes and efficient legal arrangements.
The set up of these kinds of arrangements is quick and absolutely affordable. As a result, you will benefit from retention of 90% of all of your expatriate income and funds, completely tax-free.
With the service provided by ExpertExpat, Financial Planning managers will take care of your offshore wealth and will offer you the best choice of investment programmes.
On the website you will find explanation of the process, case-study and FAQ.
All operations can be done online with the highest confidentiality, with the website offering a unique area for members to make online operations and follow their settlements, as well as discussing privately with financial planning experts through our private online email system.
Expert Expat in Paris - salon des Micro-entreprises : 6-8 octobre 2009 [Palais des Congrès - Porte maillot]
Our experts will be in Paris at the beginning of October to take part in the exhibition dedicated to entrepreneurs and small-companies. They will be located Stand A22.
If you are in Paris you will be able to get explanation on our unique tax optimisation and our experts will answer directly all your questions. They will have specific offers for the time of the exhibition.
INTERVIEW: Balthazar Tax Advisers, Amsterdam
EasyExpat
10 August, 2009 17:59
Balthazar Tax Advisers is a Dutch and international tax consulting firm
specialised in advising expats in the Netherlands.
Company - City - Country :
Balthazar Tax Advisers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Can you talk about your project?
On our website http://www.netherlandstax.com we have provided a lot of detailed
information on tax in the Netherlands. The aim of our website is to help
expats in the Netherlands know more about the Netherlands tax system and how
they can benefit from it. (More)
Shopping for Divorces
EasyExpat
08 June, 2009 11:11
An expatriate often has a choice of where to divorce. You need to make the right choice early, because often it is irreversible – and the jurisdiction that governs your divorce can have significant impacts on your fortunes.
Divorce is not as simple as just ending the marriage. There are generally two main areas of contention in divorces, one relating to sorting out financial arrangements between the couple, the other relating to arrangements for any children of the marriage. In fact many countries require that you also sort out arrangements for children before the divorce is granted. (More)
HSBC: Protecting your wealth in turbulent times
EasyExpat
21 April, 2009 22:36
Article sponsored by HSBC
A seminar for foreign nationals in the UK
Investment strategies for volatile times
There are few certainties wherever you look in today's volatile global economy, but HSBC believe that this is the time when you need to think positively about the future.
HSBC invite you to a seminar on "Protecting your wealth in turbulent times". (More)
