Private wealth field guides

Cross-border questions, organized around real decisions.

Original, source-linked insights for globally mobile households coordinating investments, tax, retirement, estate planning, and family decisions across borders.

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Wealth management area

Investments

Portfolio structure, custody, currency, and concentrated positions.

33 articles

Investing5 min read

Investing Abroad When Local Funds Create United States Tax Questions

Identify foreign pooled investments, U.S. PFIC reporting, local product access, and after-tax portfolio costs before trading.

Investing5 min read

What to Do When a Broker Limits Your Account After an International Move

A step-by-step response to brokerage restrictions that preserves records, avoids rushed trades, and keeps a viable investment plan.

Investing7 min read

Why an ordinary foreign fund can become a U.S. tax problem

A plain-English explanation of why the fund’s legal structure matters—and what to check before buying or selling.

Founders & executives9 min read

Concentrated stock before an international move

How to frame diversification, equity compensation, tax residence, and liquidity without letting one decision dictate the rest.

Private wealth8 min read

A currency policy for globally mobile families

Move beyond forecasts and connect currency exposure to spending, liabilities, taxes, and the structure of the portfolio.

Investing4 min read

Will your U.S. brokerage account work after you move abroad?

Confirm residence policies, trading restrictions, advisory access, and backup custody before changing address.

Investing4 min read

Why Americans in Europe can struggle to buy U.S. ETFs

Understand how brokerage policy, European retail rules, and U.S. tax classification can narrow product choices.

Investing4 min read

A practical currency policy for a cross-border portfolio

Link portfolio currency, spending currency, liabilities, and near-term cash rather than forecasting exchange rates.

Investing4 min read

Concentrated company stock before a cross-border move

Coordinate vesting, exercise, sale, residence, sourcing, custody, and diversification before relocating.

Investing4 min read

How to review investments inside a foreign pension

Separate pension classification, contribution rules, reporting, investment choice, fees, and future distribution taxation.

Investing4 min read

Roth conversions while living abroad

Compare U.S. tax brackets, foreign-country treatment, state residence, currency, and future location before converting.

Investing4 min read

IRA contributions for Americans abroad

Understand how compensation, the foreign earned income exclusion, filing status, and employer plans affect eligibility.

Investing4 min read

Using a 529 plan for study abroad

Check school eligibility, qualified expenses, currency records, refunds, and foreign-country treatment before taking a distribution.

Investing10 min read

Why Brokerage Accounts Get Restricted After an Overseas Move

Investors who receive a closure or trading restriction notice. A practical long-form guide to explain residence based compliance restrictions, separate account custody from investment advice, review what the firm will still permit, and the decisions that connect them.

Investing10 min read

PFICs Explained for Everyday Investors

Americans abroad considering foreign mutual funds ETFs or pooled products. A practical long-form guide to define a passive foreign investment company, show which common products may qualify, explain the default tax and reporting burden, and the decisions that connect them.

Investing10 min read

The U S U K Investment Catch 22

Americans in Britain trying to avoid both PFIC rules and U K offshore fund problems. A practical long-form guide to explain the u s treatment of foreign funds, explain u k reporting fund status, identify where the two systems conflict, and the decisions that connect them.

Investing10 min read

Building a Globally Diversified Portfolio While Living Abroad

Expats who want diversification without unnecessary tax complexity. A practical long-form guide to define goals time horizon and spending currencies, separate geographic exposure from fund domicile, choose an account structure before securities, and the decisions that connect them.

Investing10 min read

Currency Risk Is More Than the Exchange Rate

Investors with future expenses in more than one currency. A practical long-form guide to identify income assets and liabilities by currency, measure short term cash flow exposure, match near term assets to planned spending, and the decisions that connect them.

Investing10 min read

ETFs Mutual Funds and Individual Securities for Expats

Cross border investors comparing portfolio building blocks. A practical long-form guide to compare tax classification across countries, review distribution reporting and fund domicile, assess trading access cost and diversification, and the decisions that connect them.

Investing10 min read

Asset Location Across U S and Foreign Accounts

Investors deciding which assets belong in taxable retirement and local accounts. A practical long-form guide to inventory each account's tax treatment in both countries, place income producing assets deliberately, review withholding treaty and credit mechanics, and the decisions that connect them.

Investing10 min read

Investing a Foreign Pension Alongside U S Accounts

Americans with workplace or personal pensions outside the United States. A practical long-form guide to identify the plan type and legal owner, review u s tax and reporting treatment, understand local contribution and withdrawal rules, and the decisions that connect them.

Investing10 min read

How to Evaluate a Cross Border Financial Advisor

Consumers comparing advisers for international planning. A practical long-form guide to confirm countries clients and account types served, ask about fiduciary duty and compensation, test tax legal and custody coordination, and the decisions that connect them.

Investing10 min read

Protecting Cross Border Accounts From Fraud

International households exposed to wires account changes and identity theft. A practical long-form guide to understand why cross border transactions draw scrutiny, verify wire instructions through a second channel, use strong authentication and account alerts, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

Starting a Business Abroad as a U S Citizen

American founders choosing a local business structure. A practical long-form guide to compare entity types and legal liability, classify the entity for u s tax purposes, review controlled company and partnership rules, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

Moving a Founder to the United States

International entrepreneurs planning a U S relocation. A practical long-form guide to choose immigration and tax residency timing, review company shares options and founder equity, consider basis valuation and pre immigration transactions, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

Stock Options and Restricted Stock Across Borders

Employees who earn equity in one country and vest or exercise in another. A practical long-form guide to build the grant vest exercise and sale timeline, determine sourcing in each country, review withholding and employer reporting, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

Selling a Business While Living Abroad

Owners preparing for a sale involving multiple tax jurisdictions. A practical long-form guide to establish residence and ownership before the process, model asset sale and stock sale outcomes, review earnouts rollover equity and escrow, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

Foreign Companies and Controlled Foreign Corporation Rules

U S shareholders who need a practical CFC overview. A practical long-form guide to determine ownership and control, explain current income inclusion concepts, identify key forms and accounting data, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

Retirement Saving for American Entrepreneurs Abroad

Self employed Americans without a simple employer plan. A practical long-form guide to map earned income after exclusions and credits, compare u s and local retirement arrangements, review foreign pension classification, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

International Banking for a Small Business

Owners receiving payments and paying expenses in several currencies. A practical long-form guide to separate personal and business accounts, choose operating collection and reserve currencies, control payment fraud and user access, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

Permanent Establishment Risk for Remote Founders

Business owners and executives working from another country. A practical long-form guide to explain why physical location can tax a business, review authority contracts and local operations, assess payroll employer and vat obligations, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

Cross Border Succession Planning for a Family Business

Owners transferring a company to family members in different countries. A practical long-form guide to define control income and ownership goals, value the business and identify tax jurisdictions, compare gifts sales trusts and insurance, and the decisions that connect them.

Entrepreneurs & equity10 min read

The Founder Expatriation Decision

U S citizens and long term residents considering departure before a liquidity event. A practical long-form guide to clarify personal and business reasons for leaving, test covered expatriate status, value company interests and deferred compensation, and the decisions that connect them.

Explore Investments

Wealth management area

Tax Planning

Residency timing, foreign income, reporting, and country-specific coordination.

32 articles

Tax planning6 min read

The United Kingdom Four Year Foreign Income and Gains Window

How newly resident U.K. taxpayers can evaluate the four-year foreign income and gains regime alongside continuing U.S. obligations.

Tax planning5 min read

What United States Citizens Still File After Moving Abroad

A coordinated U.S. filing map for worldwide income, credits, foreign accounts, pensions, and move-year records.

Tax planning8 min read

Foreign earned income exclusion or foreign tax credit? A planning framework

The right question is not simply which option lowers this year’s federal tax bill.

Tax planning4 min read

FBAR and Form 8938 are not the same filing

Compare who files, which assets count, thresholds, deadlines, and where each report is submitted.

Tax planning4 min read

Physical presence or bona fide residence for the FEIE?

Understand how the two qualification paths differ and why the tax-home requirement still matters.

Tax planning4 min read

The foreign earned income exclusion for married couples abroad

Analyze each spouse's eligibility, income, travel, housing, filing status, and foreign tax credits separately.

Tax planning4 min read

How the FEIE, foreign tax credit, and IRA eligibility interact

Model tax relief and retirement contributions together rather than choosing each in isolation.

Tax planning4 min read

Ending state residency before moving abroad

Separate federal citizenship-based taxation from state domicile, statutory residence, and source income.

Tax planning4 min read

Understanding the covered expatriate tests

Review net worth, average tax liability, five-year compliance, exceptions, and the mark-to-market regime before expatriation.

Tax planning4 min read

How FATCA affects everyday banking abroad

Understand why foreign institutions ask about U.S. status and how account reporting differs from individual filing duties.

Tax planning4 min read

The first reporting review for a foreign trust

Identify trust classification, U.S. owners and beneficiaries, distributions, contributions, and information returns.

Tax planning4 min read

U.S. founders with foreign companies: the first compliance map

Connect ownership, control, payroll, entity classification, information reporting, and retirement planning.

Tax planning10 min read

Why Americans Abroad Still File U S Tax Returns

New expats who need a plain language explanation of citizenship based taxation. A practical long-form guide to explain citizenship based taxation, distinguish filing obligations from tax owed, introduce exclusions credits and treaties, and the decisions that connect them.

Tax planning10 min read

How Tax Residency Is Determined When Two Countries Claim You

Mobile individuals facing overlapping domestic residency rules. A practical long-form guide to start with each country's domestic tests, apply treaty tie breaker rules where available, track homes days family and economic ties, and the decisions that connect them.

Tax planning10 min read

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or Foreign Tax Credit

U S workers abroad choosing how to relieve double taxation. A practical long-form guide to explain what each mechanism does, compare eligibility and income limits, show the effect on married couples and housing costs, and the decisions that connect them.

Tax planning10 min read

FBAR and FATCA Reporting Without the Acronyms

Americans with foreign accounts who need a clear compliance overview. A practical long-form guide to identify which accounts and assets count, explain the different filing thresholds, clarify ownership signature authority and joint accounts, and the decisions that connect them.

Tax planning10 min read

Ending State Tax Residency Before Moving Abroad

Americans leaving a high tax state who want to establish a defensible new domicile. A practical long-form guide to separate domicile from physical presence, review statutory resident tests, change the facts that demonstrate permanent ties, and the decisions that connect them.

Tax planning10 min read

How U S Tax Treaties Help and Where They Do Not

Expats who assume a treaty automatically eliminates double taxation. A practical long-form guide to explain treaty purpose and saving clauses, distinguish income tax estate tax and social security agreements, use sourcing and residence rules correctly, and the decisions that connect them.

Tax planning10 min read

Tax Planning for Mixed Status Married Couples

Couples in which one spouse is a U S person and the other is not. A practical long-form guide to map each spouse's citizenship residence and filing status, compare joint and separate u s elections, review ownership of accounts property and investments, and the decisions that connect them.

Tax planning10 min read

The U S Tax Entry Checklist for Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals approaching U S tax residency. A practical long-form guide to determine the first day of u s tax residence, review green card and substantial presence rules, identify foreign assets with unfavorable u s treatment, and the decisions that connect them.

Tax planning10 min read

Year End Tax Planning for U S Expats

Americans abroad who want a repeatable process before December 31. A practical long-form guide to confirm residence workdays and tax home, estimate foreign tax credits and exclusion capacity, review gains losses and retirement moves, and the decisions that connect them.

Tax planning10 min read

When Foreign Business Ownership Triggers U S Reporting

U S owners of companies partnerships or self employment structures abroad. A practical long-form guide to classify the foreign entity for u s purposes, explain controlled company and partnership reporting, identify payroll social tax and permanent establishment issues, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

Before You Become a U S Tax Resident

Foreign nationals who can still restructure assets before arrival. A practical long-form guide to identify the first possible residency date, review foreign funds companies trusts and pensions, consider gains basis and liquidity before entry, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

Green Card Tax Planning From Entry to Exit

Permanent residents who need to understand the long tax life of a green card. A practical long-form guide to explain tax residence after receiving a green card, track years for long term resident status, coordinate foreign income assets and reporting, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

The Substantial Presence Test for Frequent U S Visitors

Foreign nationals who spend significant time in the United States. A practical long-form guide to count current and prior year days, explain exempt days and closer connection claims, review treaty residency positions, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

Foreign Investments That Become Tax Toxic in the United States

Inbound residents holding funds insurance or savings products abroad. A practical long-form guide to identify pooled funds and insurance wrappers, explain pfic and trust classification risks, compare sale restructuring and continued ownership, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

U S Estate Tax Exposure for Foreign Nationals

Noncitizens who acquire U S property investments or business interests. A practical long-form guide to distinguish income tax residence from estate domicile, identify u s situs assets, review treaty coverage and exemptions, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

Social Security and Medicare for Non U S Citizens

Foreign nationals with U S work histories planning benefits. A practical long-form guide to review insured status and work credits, apply nationality residence and payment restrictions, coordinate foreign coverage through agreements, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

Leaving the United States With Foreign and U S Assets

Foreign nationals preparing to end U S residence. A practical long-form guide to select the departure date and final residency year, review green card surrender and treaty positions, plan gains distributions and compensation, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

Covered Expatriate Rules for Long Term Green Card Holders

Long term residents evaluating permanent departure. A practical long-form guide to define long term resident status, apply net worth tax liability and certification tests, explain mark to market and deferred compensation rules, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

Foreign Trusts and the U S Tax System

Inbound or resident families connected to non U S trusts. A practical long-form guide to classify the trust for u s purposes, identify grantors trustees and beneficiaries, map distributions loans and use of trust property, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving to or leaving the U.S.10 min read

Building a U S Investment Plan as a New Resident

Foreign nationals beginning to save and invest in the United States. A practical long-form guide to set goals liquidity and emergency reserves, choose taxable and retirement accounts, integrate assets left abroad, and the decisions that connect them.

Explore Tax Planning

Wealth management area

Estate Planning

Domicile, trusts, beneficiaries, succession, and multinational families.

21 articles

Estate planning5 min read

Financial Planning for a United States and United Kingdom Couple

A practical household map for spouses with different citizenship, residence, account, pension, and inheritance rules.

Estate planning5 min read

Receiving an Inheritance from Outside the United States

Separate the inheritance itself from U.S. reporting, foreign trusts, future income, basis, and transfer logistics.

Estate planning7 min read

Five questions for a cross-border estate-plan review

A will is only one part of a plan spanning domicile, beneficiaries, account titles, trusts, and multiple legal systems.

Family governance8 min read

Family governance when heirs live in different countries

A practical framework for decision rights, communication, entities, and succession across generations and jurisdictions.

Estate planning4 min read

U.S. estate tax and U.S.-situs assets for nonresidents

Identify assets exposed to U.S. estate tax, treaty relief, ownership structure, deductions, and filing responsibilities.

Estate planning4 min read

Estate and gift planning with a non-U.S.-citizen spouse

Coordinate marital transfers, annual gifts, QDOT planning, account titles, beneficiaries, and two legal systems.

Estate planning4 min read

A beneficiary review for families living abroad

Align retirement accounts, insurance, transfer-on-death designations, trusts, and local succession rules.

Estate planning4 min read

A practical checklist for overseas heirs of U.S. assets

Plan for inherited accounts, local inheritance tax, U.S. reporting, currency, trusts, and recordkeeping before distributions begin.

Estate planning4 min read

Before serving as trustee while living abroad

Review trust residence, reporting, banking, investment authority, tax filings, and practical administration.

Estate planning4 min read

Coordinating wills across countries

Decide whether one worldwide will or coordinated local wills best address assets, probate, succession, and administration.

Estate planning4 min read

Cross-border charitable giving without losing the tax benefit

Match the donor, charity, asset, residence country, and deduction rules before making the gift.

Estate planning10 min read

Do You Need More Than One Will

Families owning assets or living in more than one country. A practical long-form guide to inventory assets and probate jurisdictions, compare one worldwide will with situs wills, prevent one document from revoking another, and the decisions that connect them.

Estate planning10 min read

U S Situs Assets and Estate Tax for Nonresidents

Non U S persons who own American investments or property. A practical long-form guide to explain domicile and nonresident estate tax status, identify common u s situs assets, review exemptions treaties and filing duties, and the decisions that connect them.

Estate planning10 min read

Receiving a U S Inheritance While Living Abroad

Beneficiaries who live outside the United States. A practical long-form guide to identify what is being inherited, separate estate inheritance and income taxes, review treaty relief and local reporting, and the decisions that connect them.

Estate planning10 min read

Receiving a Foreign Inheritance as a U S Taxpayer

Americans inheriting foreign property accounts or businesses. A practical long-form guide to determine whether u s income or transfer tax applies, identify information returns and deadlines, establish basis and obtain valuations, and the decisions that connect them.

Estate planning10 min read

Estate Planning With a Non U S Citizen Spouse

Mixed citizenship couples who need survivor and transfer planning. A practical long-form guide to explain marital deduction limitations, review annual and lifetime gift rules, introduce qualified domestic trusts, and the decisions that connect them.

Estate planning10 min read

Beneficiary Designations Across Borders

Expats whose retirement insurance and transfer on death forms may conflict with local law. A practical long-form guide to create a complete beneficiary inventory, check marital forced heirship and community property rules, coordinate forms with wills and trusts, and the decisions that connect them.

Estate planning10 min read

When a U S Trust Crosses a Border

Settlors trustees and beneficiaries dealing with a trust in another tax system. A practical long-form guide to identify the trust type and controlling persons, determine residence and reporting in both countries, review distributions income and asset ownership, and the decisions that connect them.

Estate planning10 min read

Becoming a Trustee While Living Abroad

Expats asked to serve as trustee of a U S or foreign trust. A practical long-form guide to understand fiduciary duties and governing law, check whether location changes trust residence, plan banking investment and signature authority, and the decisions that connect them.

Estate planning10 min read

Cross Border Gifting During Life

Families considering gifts of cash investments or property across borders. A practical long-form guide to map donor recipient and asset locations, compare gift income and capital gains taxes, use exclusions treaties and reporting correctly, and the decisions that connect them.

Estate planning10 min read

The Cross Border Incapacity and Emergency Plan

International families who need documents that work during a crisis. A practical long-form guide to review powers of attorney and healthcare directives, confirm recognition in each relevant country, create emergency access to cash and records, and the decisions that connect them.

Explore Estate Planning

Wealth management area

Financial Planning

Move preparation, retirement systems, cash flow, and coordinated decision-making.

40 articles

Moving to the United States5 min read

Before a Foreign Citizen Becomes a United States Tax Resident

A pre-arrival review of residence dates, foreign assets, funds, businesses, trusts, pensions, and first-year reporting.

Moving abroad8 min read

The 90-day cross-border financial checklist

A practical sequence for reviewing tax residency, accounts, investments, insurance, and estate documents before a move.

Moving to the United States9 min read

Planning before moving to the United States

A pre-arrival framework for residence dates, investments, entities, trusts, pensions, and records.

Leaving the United States9 min read

Planning before leaving the United States

Coordinate residence, account access, compensation, retirement plans, estate documents, and any expatriation analysis before departure.

Moving abroad4 min read

A 12-month financial calendar for an international move

Sequence residence, compensation, investments, banking, insurance, and estate work before the moving date compresses every decision.

Moving to the United States4 min read

Returning to the United States after years abroad

A re-entry plan for foreign investments, pensions, banking, tax residence, healthcare, and records.

Financial planning4 min read

The annual financial review for Americans abroad

A repeatable agenda connecting residence, reporting, accounts, investments, retirement, insurance, and estate planning.

Financial planning4 min read

How to build a multi-currency household budget

Separate spending needs, currency exposure, taxes, and reserves without turning the budget into a currency forecast.

Financial planning4 min read

Designing an international banking structure

Organize operating accounts, reserves, transfers, access, and documentation across countries.

Financial planning4 min read

Health insurance when living abroad

Coordinate local coverage, international insurance, evacuation, U.S. care, and retirement healthcare.

Moving abroad10 min read

The Financial Timeline for Moving Abroad

People planning an international move who need to know what to do and when. A practical long-form guide to define the move date and tax residency crossover, map banking brokerage and credit needs, review employment benefits insurance and healthcare, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving abroad10 min read

How to Choose a Country Without Letting Taxes Make the Decision

Families comparing destinations and balancing tax rules with daily life. A practical long-form guide to separate lifestyle goals from tax incentives, compare residency and work rights, estimate total tax and social contribution costs, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving abroad10 min read

The First 90 Days Abroad Financial Checklist

New expatriates who need a practical setup sequence after arrival. A practical long-form guide to confirm local registration and tax residency dates, open essential bank and payment accounts, protect access to u s accounts and phone numbers, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving abroad10 min read

Returning to the United States After Years Abroad

Americans preparing to repatriate with foreign accounts assets or pensions. A practical long-form guide to choose the u s return date deliberately, review foreign funds pensions and insurance products, plan currency transfers and liquidity, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving abroad10 min read

A Cross Border Budget That Survives Currency Swings

Households earning and spending in different currencies. A practical long-form guide to identify each income and spending currency, separate fixed obligations from flexible expenses, set exchange rate planning bands, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving abroad10 min read

Should You Buy or Rent a Home Abroad

Prospective expatriates deciding whether foreign property belongs in the plan. A practical long-form guide to start with expected length of stay, model purchase taxes financing and transaction costs, review ownership restrictions and residency consequences, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving abroad10 min read

Banking Across Borders Without Losing Access

Expats who need reliable U S and local banking arrangements. A practical long-form guide to why banks restrict nonresident customers, which accounts to keep before departure, how to establish a local banking footprint, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving abroad10 min read

Insurance Gaps That Appear After an International Move

Families reviewing protection when domestic coverage no longer travels with them. A practical long-form guide to check health coverage by country and provider network, compare travel expat and local medical policies, review life disability property and liability insurance, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving abroad10 min read

Moving Abroad With Children

Parents planning the financial and practical side of an international relocation. A practical long-form guide to compare school systems tuition and admission timing, budget for language support and activities, review healthcare guardianship and travel permissions, and the decisions that connect them.

Moving abroad10 min read

The Annual Cross Border Financial Review

Established expats who need a repeatable yearly planning process. A practical long-form guide to update residency citizenship and family facts, review cash flow taxes and reporting deadlines, test investment allocation and account access, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

Choosing a School While Living Abroad

Parents comparing local international and boarding options. A practical long-form guide to define academic language and support needs, compare admissions calendars and credentials, budget tuition transport and activities, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

Using a 529 Plan for Study Abroad

Families paying overseas education costs from a U S college savings account. A practical long-form guide to confirm whether the institution is eligible, separate qualified and nonqualified expenses, coordinate payments refunds and exchange rates, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

When a 529 Plan Creates Foreign Tax Problems

American families living in countries that do not recognize U S tax advantages. A practical long-form guide to explain the u s tax benefit, check whether the residence country treats growth as taxable, compare continued funding with alternatives, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

Newlyweds With Two Countries and Two Financial Systems

Cross border couples combining finances after marriage. A practical long-form guide to share complete financial and tax histories, choose account ownership and cash flow systems, review marital property and gift rules, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

Divorce When U S and Foreign Assets Are Involved

Spouses and advisers preparing for an international separation. A practical long-form guide to identify jurisdiction and governing law, value property businesses pensions and currencies, divide u s retirement accounts correctly, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

Raising Children Abroad Without Losing Financial Flexibility

Parents balancing international experiences with long term financial goals. A practical long-form guide to budget for education travel and language support, maintain appropriate savings and emergency funds, review citizenship documentation and guardianship, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

Cross Border Philanthropy That Reaches the Intended Charity

Donors who want tax efficient gifts to organizations in another country. A practical long-form guide to clarify the charitable goal and recipient, check whether the organization qualifies for a deduction, compare direct gifts donor advised funds and intermediaries, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

Supporting Aging Parents Across Borders

Adult children coordinating care and money in another country. A practical long-form guide to understand the parents' income insurance and benefits, plan access to accounts and decision authority, budget for care travel and currency transfers, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

Moving Abroad After a Major Life Event

People relocating after marriage divorce inheritance retirement or bereavement. A practical long-form guide to stabilize urgent legal and cash flow needs, avoid changing residence before reviewing tax consequences, update ownership beneficiaries and documents, and the decisions that connect them.

Families & education10 min read

A Family Document System for International Life

Households that need secure access to records from multiple countries. A practical long-form guide to list identity immigration tax and property records, create secure digital and physical copies, control access for spouses trustees and agents, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

The Cross Border Financial Plan on One Page

Consumers who need a clear summary of a complex international situation. A practical long-form guide to list people citizenships and residences, map assets liabilities income and currencies, record the main tax reporting and estate exposures, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

How to Build a Cross Border Adviser Team

Families coordinating financial tax legal and immigration professionals. A practical long-form guide to define which problems require which adviser, choose a lead coordinator, clarify scope fees and information sharing, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

A Relocation Risk Register for International Moves

Households that want to identify problems before departure. A practical long-form guide to score tax legal investment and insurance risks, assign an owner and deadline to each issue, separate must fix items from monitor items, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

Comparing Tax Regimes Without Relying on Headline Rates

People comparing countries for work or retirement. A practical long-form guide to calculate the tax base before the rate, add social contributions wealth and property taxes, review investment pension and inheritance treatment, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

A Multi Currency Emergency Fund

International families deciding how much cash to hold and where. A practical long-form guide to define emergencies by country and currency, set reserve targets for local and u s needs, choose safe accessible accounts, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

The Cross Border Cost of Living Calculator

Prospective movers who want a realistic budget comparison. A practical long-form guide to collect housing healthcare school and transport costs, add taxes insurance and adviser expenses, convert currencies with a planning rate, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

The International Account Inventory

Families who need one reliable record of financial accounts in several countries. A practical long-form guide to record owner custodian country and currency, note tax classification and reporting forms, track beneficiaries access and contact details, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

A Decision Tree for Keeping or Closing Financial Accounts

People deciding what to do with accounts before or after a move. A practical long-form guide to confirm whether the provider permits the new residence, identify tax and investment consequences, compare transfer liquidation and continued ownership, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

How to Read a Cross Border Tax Return

Clients who want to review filings intelligently without becoming tax preparers. A practical long-form guide to connect income documents to return sections, trace foreign tax credits and exclusions, locate foreign account business and trust forms, and the decisions that connect them.

Planning tools10 min read

The Cross Border Planning Questions to Ask Before Any Major Decision

International households facing a move sale gift retirement or inheritance. A practical long-form guide to which countries can tax the event, when does residence or ownership change, which accounts products or entities are involved, and the decisions that connect them.

Explore Financial Planning

Wealth management area

Retirement

Pensions, Social Security, Medicare, distributions, and retirement abroad.

20 articles

Retirement5 min read

IRA and Roth Decisions for Americans Living Outside the United States

Evaluate contribution eligibility, local tax recognition, conversions, distributions, and account access across borders.

Retirement5 min read

Retiring Across Countries Without Losing the Financial Thread

Coordinate residence, pensions, Social Security, Medicare, banking, currency, and estate documents in a mobile retirement.

Retirement8 min read

How to coordinate retirement across two systems

Build one retirement plan from pensions, Social Security, tax wrappers, currencies, and two sets of rules.

Retirement4 min read

How Social Security totalization agreements work

Coordinate coverage, avoid dual contributions when eligible, and combine credits for qualification without combining benefits.

Retirement4 min read

Receiving U.S. Social Security while living abroad

Check payment eligibility, citizenship and country restrictions, taxation, banking, and survivor administration.

Retirement4 min read

What the repeal of WEP and GPO means for Americans abroad

Recheck Social Security estimates after the Social Security Fairness Act ended the two reductions.

Retirement4 min read

Taking required minimum distributions while living abroad

Coordinate deadlines, custodians, withholding, local taxation, currency, and inherited-account rules.

Retirement4 min read

Medicare decisions when retiring abroad

Evaluate enrollment timing, premiums, limited overseas coverage, future return, and supplemental insurance.

Retirement4 min read

Medicare eligibility for non-U.S. citizens

Review age or disability eligibility, lawful residence, work credits, premiums, and a spouse's record.

Retirement4 min read

Foreign pension lump sum or lifetime income?

Compare guarantees, inflation, survivor benefits, taxes, currency, transfer rights, and investment risk.

Retirement10 min read

Coordinating U S and Foreign Retirement Accounts

Workers and retirees with pensions on both sides of a border. A practical long-form guide to inventory every plan and its governing country, map tax deferral and reporting in both systems, estimate benefits in a common currency, and the decisions that connect them.

Retirement10 min read

How Totalization Agreements Affect Social Security

People whose careers span the United States and another country. A practical long-form guide to explain dual social tax coverage, show how coverage credits may be combined, distinguish eligibility from benefit amount, and the decisions that connect them.

Retirement10 min read

Social Security After the Windfall Elimination Provision Repeal

Americans with foreign pensions who need to revisit benefit estimates. A practical long-form guide to explain the prior wep framework, describe which beneficiaries may be affected, request and review updated records, and the decisions that connect them.

Retirement10 min read

Required Minimum Distributions While Living Abroad

U S retirement account owners who reside overseas. A practical long-form guide to identify which accounts require distributions, calculate deadlines and amounts, plan withholding and local tax treatment, and the decisions that connect them.

Retirement10 min read

Roth Conversions for Americans Abroad

Expats considering conversions during lower tax years. A practical long-form guide to estimate u s federal and state tax, check the residence country's treatment of roth accounts, model foreign tax credits and treaty effects, and the decisions that connect them.

Retirement10 min read

Medicare Decisions for Americans Living Overseas

People nearing age 65 who may return to the United States later. A practical long-form guide to explain eligibility and overseas coverage limits, compare parts a and b enrollment choices, review late enrollment penalties, and the decisions that connect them.

Retirement10 min read

Social Security Benefits for a Foreign Spouse

Cross border couples planning retirement and survivor income. A practical long-form guide to review worker and spouse eligibility, apply residence and nationality restrictions, understand totalization and payment rules, and the decisions that connect them.

Retirement10 min read

Pension Lump Sum or Lifetime Income

Employees deciding how to receive a pension while rates and residence may change. A practical long-form guide to compare lifetime income and lump sum mechanics, explain how interest rates affect present value, review tax treatment in both countries, and the decisions that connect them.

Retirement10 min read

Retiring Abroad Without Underestimating the Cost

Prospective retirees building an after tax overseas budget. A practical long-form guide to model housing healthcare and visa expenses, add travel tax advice and currency costs, stress test inflation and exchange rates, and the decisions that connect them.

Retirement10 min read

A Retirement Withdrawal Strategy for Two Tax Systems

Retirees with taxable brokerage retirement and pension income. A practical long-form guide to map how each account is taxed in each country, set an annual after tax spending target, sequence withdrawals around credits and brackets, and the decisions that connect them.

Explore Retirement

Wealth management area

Country Guides

Country-specific planning maps for common U.S. international corridors.

44 articles

Country guides7 min read

Moving from the United States to Canada with Investments and Retirement Accounts

A decision guide for U.S. citizens moving to Canada with brokerage accounts, retirement savings, a home, and reporting obligations.

Country guides15 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Australia

A detailed U.S.–Australia planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Austria

A detailed U.S.–Austria planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides15 min read

Financial planning for Americans in France

A detailed U.S.–France planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Germany

A detailed U.S.–Germany planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Ireland

A detailed U.S.–Ireland planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Italy

A detailed U.S.–Italy planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Mexico

A detailed U.S.–Mexico planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in the Netherlands

A detailed U.S.–the Netherlands planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in New Zealand

A detailed U.S.–New Zealand planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Norway

A detailed U.S.–Norway planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Portugal

A detailed U.S.–Portugal planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Puerto Rico

A detailed U.S.–Puerto Rico planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Saudi Arabia

A detailed U.S.–Saudi Arabia planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Singapore

A detailed U.S.–Singapore planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Spain

A detailed U.S.–Spain planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Sweden

A detailed U.S.–Sweden planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in Switzerland

A detailed U.S.–Switzerland planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides14 min read

Financial planning for Americans in the United Kingdom

A detailed U.S.–the United Kingdom planning guide with practical examples covering residence, tax, investments, retirement, property, insurance, and inheritance.

Country guides10 min read

DAFT and the Netherlands: a private-wealth planning map

Immigration is only the first layer. Coordinate the business, tax residence, investments, pensions, estate plan, and U.S. reporting.

Country guides10 min read

U.S.–Germany wealth planning: accounts, pensions, and timing

A structured review for households moving between the United States and Germany with investments, pensions, or equity compensation.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Norway: a financial planning guide

Review residence, wealth taxation, investments, pensions, social insurance, and estate documents before the move.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Sweden: a financial planning guide

Coordinate residence, investment accounts, pensions, social insurance, and the Swedish ten-year rule.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Finland: a financial planning guide

Plan for residence, investments, pensions, benefits, and reporting before establishing Finnish residence.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Denmark: a financial planning guide

Review residence, securities taxation, pensions, social benefits, and departure planning.

Country guides4 min read

Financial planning for Americans living in France

Coordinate treaty positions, investments, pensions, property, trusts, and succession in one plan.

Country guides4 min read

Financial planning for Americans living in the United Kingdom

Review residence, changing foreign-income rules, pensions, ISAs, trusts, property, and inheritance exposure.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Switzerland: a financial planning guide

Connect cantonal taxation, pensions, healthcare, investments, property, and estate planning.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Austria: a financial planning guide

Plan for residence, investment taxation, pensions, social insurance, property, and succession.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Ireland: a financial planning guide

Review residence, domicile, remittances, investments, pensions, and capital acquisitions tax.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Portugal: a financial planning guide

Use current rules for residence, incentives, pensions, investments, property, and estate planning.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Spain: a financial planning guide

Coordinate residence, foreign-asset reporting, investments, property, pensions, and regional succession rules.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Italy: a financial planning guide

Review residence, foreign assets, pensions, property, succession, and special regimes using current rules.

Country guides4 min read

Moving from the United States to Mexico: a financial planning guide

Address residence, U.S. accounts, Mexican investments, property, pensions, healthcare, and estate documents.

Country guides10 min read

Moving From the United States to Germany

Americans who want a coordinated overview of German tax investing retirement and estate issues. A practical long-form guide to determine german tax residency and filing scope, understand treaty coordination and double tax relief, review brokerage access and fund classification, and the decisions that connect them.

Country guides10 min read

Moving From the United States to the Netherlands

Americans considering employment retirement or entrepreneurship in the Netherlands. A practical long-form guide to establish residency and understand box taxation, assess the current expatriate tax facility, review u s brokerage and european investment access, and the decisions that connect them.

Country guides10 min read

Using DAFT to Build a Life in the Netherlands

U S entrepreneurs evaluating the Dutch American Friendship Treaty route. A practical long-form guide to explain who may qualify and what daft permits, build the business and cash flow plan, understand registration banking and insurance, and the decisions that connect them.

Country guides10 min read

Moving From the United States to France

Americans seeking a practical guide to French tax treaty investment and inheritance issues. A practical long-form guide to set the residency date and first filing year, use the treaty framework for u s income and accounts, avoid investment products that create tax conflicts, and the decisions that connect them.

Country guides10 min read

Moving From the United States to the United Kingdom

Americans relocating to the U K for work family or retirement. A practical long-form guide to understand residence and the current foreign income regime, coordinate u s and u k income taxation, navigate the offshore fund and pfic conflict, and the decisions that connect them.

Country guides10 min read

Moving From the United States to Sweden

Americans preparing for Swedish tax investment and family planning rules. A practical long-form guide to determine swedish tax residence and registration, map income capital and social contribution exposure, review the ten year rule and departure planning, and the decisions that connect them.

Country guides10 min read

Moving From the United States to Norway

Americans weighing Norway's taxes public benefits and investment rules. A practical long-form guide to establish residency and worldwide income exposure, understand income wealth and capital gains taxation, plan national insurance and retirement benefits, and the decisions that connect them.

Country guides10 min read

Moving From the United States to Switzerland

Americans comparing Swiss cantons and planning a move. A practical long-form guide to explain federal cantonal and municipal taxation, compare residency permits and canton selection, review healthcare pensions and social insurance, and the decisions that connect them.

Country guides10 min read

Moving From the United States to Portugal or Spain

Families comparing two popular European destinations. A practical long-form guide to compare residence pathways and tax residency tests, contrast income wealth and investment taxation, review healthcare housing and cost of living, and the decisions that connect them.

Country guides10 min read

Moving From the United States to Italy or Ireland

Americans choosing between two countries with very different tax and estate systems. A practical long-form guide to compare residency and special tax regimes, map employment investment and pension income, review domicile inheritance and gift rules, and the decisions that connect them.

Explore Country Guides