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• European Investing for U.S. Citizens living in Europe

  The challenges facing American citizens living or working in Europe are uniquely complex, often in ways that are not immediately obvious.

  The United States' system of Citizenship-Based Taxation means U.S. citizens remain subject to IRS rules on their worldwide income, regardless of where they live. This creates an immediate conflict with their host country's residence-based tax laws. This conflict creates severe and counter-intuitive traps. For instance, the standard, sound advice to "invest in local, low-cost index funds" can be financially disastrous for an American.  Read more…

• Roth 401(k) and IRA Guide for US Expats

  A guide to Traditional and Roth retirement accounts for American expatriates, focusing on how the choice is shaped by U.S. tax filing strategies. It emphasizes that for most expats, the Roth (post-tax) account is superior because utilizing the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) or the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) often reduces their current U.S. tax liability to zero, making a Traditional account's deduction worthless. A key challenge is the "IRA Trap … Read more…

• The Backdoor Roth IRA

  The Backdoor Roth IRA isn't a formal account type but a strategy employed by high-income earners to fund a Roth IRA.

  The Issue: The IRS imposes income limits based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) that restrict direct contributions to a Roth IRA. If your income exceeds these limits, your ability to contribute is phased out.

  The Solution: There are no income restrictions on contributing to a Traditional IRA, nor on converting a Traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. Read more...

• How the Mega-Backdoor Roth 401(k) works and its specific relevance to American expats

  It is different and far more powerful than the more common "Backdoor Roth IRA." Here is a detailed explanation of how the Mega-Backdoor Roth 401(k) works and its specific relevance to American expats.

• A Financial Guide for Americans in Germany

For American expatriates in Germany, the dream of living and working abroad comes with a unique and often confusing set of financial challenges. You're not just creating a new life; you're navigating a maze of dual tax laws and conflicting regulations that can seem set up to punish even the most careful saver. How do you plan for your future when U.S. law guides you toward certain investments, while European rules prevent you from accessing them? Read more …

• French Inheritance tax for U.S. Citizens Resident in France

  The cornerstone of French inheritance tax law is its residence-based approach to taxation. Under Article 750 ter of the French General Tax Code (Code Général des Impôts or CGI), if an individual is considered domiciled in France for tax purposes at the time of death, their entire worldwide estate becomes subject to French inheritance tax. This principle is absolute in its scope; it encompasses all movable assets (such as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds) and immovable assets (real estate), regardless of their physical location. Consequently, assets held in the United States—be it a brokerage account in New York, a bank account in California, or real property in Florida—are brought into the French tax base. Read more …

• The Expat Investor's Playbook: A Concise Guide for Americans Living in France

  Investing as a U.S. citizen or green card holder in France presents a unique set of challenges driven by the intersection of two distinct tax systems. The United States taxes its citizens on their worldwide income, regardless of where they live, while France taxes its residents on their global earnings. This guide provides a condensed overview of the essential principles, critical pitfalls, and strategic solutions for building a compliant and efficient investment portfolio while living in France. Read more …