U.S. Citizens and Greencard Holders Living Abroad

Tax Preparation
We prepare many tax returns for citizens and greencard holders residing outside of the U.S. Our experienced team of paralegals and lawyers are accustomed to dealing with the tax problems of persons residing abroad. Two of our attorneys have masters of law degrees in taxation. We can respond to IRS inquires and represent you in tax audits and tax appeals. All 1040 returns for citizens and greencard holders residing abroad are processed and reviewed in Philadelphia. This Philadelphia connection enables us to represent you before the IRS in an efficient and cost-effective way.

Tax Planning
We can suggest ways to save taxes. We are experienced in dealing with U.S. Tax Treaties with other countries that serve to eliminate the double taxation of income. We can work with your foreign tax advisor to help reduce overall taxation in both the U.S. and your country of residence.

Estate Planning
Three of our attorneys practice estate planning and estate and trust administration almost exclusively. We can prepare wills, trust documents, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Declarations to address your estate planning needs and help reduce death taxes thereby preserving more of your estate for your heirs. We can advise you on ways to avoid probate of certain assets and avoid unnecessary estate administrations. We can advise you on ways to minimize gift taxes. We can explain how Estate and Gift Tax Treaties can benefit you in your estate planning.

Trust Administration & Investment Monitoring
Many of our attorneys are experienced fiduciaries with decades of experience as trustee and estate administrators. We can represent your interests in dealing with Bank Fiduciaries and Trust Companies, communicate with your investment advisors regarding your portfolio and inform you of developments in investment matters. If a trust or estate accounting needs to be prepared or reviewed, we can do so.

Providing Information
Keeping you informed of important legal and tax developments that could have an impact on your finances is one of our important roles. We provide our tax preparation clients with an annual tax letter that informs them of significant changes in the tax law during the previous year. We also send quarterly reminders when estimated tax payments need to be made and inform clients by letter or e-mail of significant changes in legislation.

Non-resident Aliens

Tax Preparation
Our experienced team of tax professionals can help prepare your 1040NR returns and can confirm your tax status under U.S. law and U.S. tax treaties. Two of our attorneys have, in addition to their law degrees, masters of law degrees in taxation. All 1040NR returns are processed and reviewed in Philadelphia. This local connection helps expedite the handling of any IRS inquiries that might arise. If a face-to-face meeting is required with the IRS, it will take place in Philadelphia.

Tax Planning
We are familiar with the particular issues of international clients and can assist you in planning so as to save taxes and increase returns on investments. We can advise you regarding the amount of U.S. withholding to expect on income earned in the U.S. If you are planning to eventually settle in the U.S., we can help you plan for the tax impact. If you are a portfolio investor, we can advise you or your investment advisor on the types of investments in the U.S. that will either be free of U.S. tax or will be taxed at minimal rates. If you are subject to taxation in more than one country, we can suggest ways to minimize double taxation of income. We are experienced in the tax treaty provisions between the U.S. and many foreign countries designed to eliminate the double taxation of income. We can advise you as to how to best utilize the treaty provisions.

Estate and Gift Planning
The possible impact of U.S. Estate and Gift tax on non-resident aliens is an issue that is too often ignored. We can advise you on ways to plan for gifts and for how to minimize U.S. Estate and Gift tax as well as how to avoid probate in the United States.

Executors of Foreign Estates With U.S. Concerns

Tax Preparation
Preparing the U.S. Federal Estate Tax Return for either the U.S. citizen residing abroad or the nonresident with U.S. assets subject to estate tax is a task many foreign executors find challenging. We can help you with this undertaking. We can also prepare Final Life Period Tax Returns and U.S. Fiduciary Income Tax Returns, if required, and apply for Federal Transfer Certificates to enable U.S. assets to be transferred outside of the U.S.

Estate Administration
We can help you marshal the estate assets located in the United States by contacting brokerage firms, trust companies, and transfer agents and can establish estate accounts when needed. We can help you locate and obtain releases from beneficiaries in the United States. We can help you avoid unnecessary withholding of U.S. tax by U.S. payers. In the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area, we can assist you in the sale of real estate and the probating of estate assets. If court filings are required, we can represent you in Federal Court and before the Courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We see our role as helping the foreign executor expedite the administration of the estate and ensuring that the foreign executor has complied with the requirements of U.S. law.