This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as specific tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for advice relevant to your situation. As the annual U.S. tax filing deadline for 2017 approaches (April 17, 2018), so does the deadline for making 2017 contributions to U.S. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). But this is an area where U.S. expatriates need to be careful. If the rules surrounding IRA contributions weren’t complicated enough...
Most people understand that markets go up and down from year to year. They also generally know that their portfolio will rise and fall over shorter periods, such as one year. Investors accept this short-term volatility because they understand that markets and portfolio values generally rise over the long run (assuming they can stay invested). What is not well understood, however, is that the order of the up-and-down periods you encounter in retirement can have...
As the new year begins, many of us expats have a renewed desire to make positive changes in our lives. From a financial standpoint, improving our circumstances largely requires instilling good habits, being consistent, getting started early, and possessing a basic understanding of finance and investing concepts. To help you enjoy a more prosperous 2018, here are some financial resolutions to consider. If you start at the beginning and aim to knock off at least...
As you look for a holiday gift for your favorite expat or perhaps just for some interesting reading over the holidays, have a look through our annual list of highly rated books from 2017, especially selected with the expat reader in mind. All can be easily purchased on the internet, and while some are more serious, others are just for fun. For those expats who may live far away, all of these titles have a...
In recent years, investors’ appetite for cheaper, passive ways to diversify has accelerated growth in the global exchange-traded fund (ETF) industry. According to industry data-provider ETFGI, total assets in ETF products surpassed $4 trillion as of May 2017 globally. Growth in ETF assets combined with frothy global markets has spawned an increasing amount of alarming press emerging over the safety of ETFs. The size of the industry, its largely passive investment style, lack of liquidity...
For expats who are considering a home purchase, buying a less expensive house can be difficult—for most of us, costlier homes simply seem more desirable. But you should be aware of the trade-off: By sacrificing a little size and whatever other amenities the more expensive home has, you can add significantly to your retirement savings. As an example, in our case study below we show how additional retirement savings of almost USD 1.2 million may...
This article is for general information purposes only and is not intended as specific tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for advice relevant to your situation. Buying a home overseas is a significant financial decision for any expatriate. For American taxpayers who are taxed on their global income, it’s important to understand how foreign exchange movements can impact the U.S. tax you may owe when you sell an overseas property. Pay Attention to Currency...
When it comes to currency, there is no shortage of places for expats to hold their savings. Many offshore banks offer multicurrency accounts and market high-yielding forex or dual-currency deposits to their expat clients. Concerns regarding the viability of some currencies as well as recent government interventions can complicate the decision about which currency to hold. Since even a relatively small foreign exchange move can have a significant impact on expats' personal finances, it's important...
Creveling & Creveling protects its clients' privacy. The following is a fictitious example designed to demonstrate the type of financial decision-making required to achieve financial security and does not refer to any specific case. The Situation Craig and Cindy are expatriates from Toronto in their 50s. Their two kids are grown, and the couple has been working to save, hoping to accumulate enough to retire when they reach their mid-60s. They’ve worked out that they...
You hear it all the time: “My portfolio is up 15%!” or “My financial advisor is really clever—he’s getting me a 30% return!” Generally, this is harmless bragging, but it does tend to elicit envy and cause investors to question their own investment performance. Sometimes, it may lead someone to stray from a consistent, disciplined investment strategy appropriate for their unique situation. When someone brags about their investment returns, there’s a good chance you’re not...
Creveling & Creveling protects its clients’ privacy. The following is a fictitious example designed to demonstrate the type of financial decision-making required to achieve financial security and does not refer to any specific case. The Situation John is a single American expatriate, age 45, living and working in Bangkok. Until recently, he has not been in a position to save and has accumulated only $100,000 for future financial goals such as retirement. Now that he...
Expatriate executives working for multinational corporations frequently receive part of their compensation in the form of long-term incentive (LTI) awards linked to their employer’s stock. Often, the expat executive has a choice of receiving restricted stock units (RSUs), nonqualified stock options (NQSOs), or a combination of the two. If you’re an expat executive being offered RSUs or NQSOs, you’ll want to think carefully before making your choice. Your decision to receive your LTI award as...