Welcome to Offshore Living Letter, Your #1 Resource for Offshore Diversification

Year: 2012

31 May
Euro Is Down 6% Against The U.S. Dollar In May

Euro Is Down 6% Against The U.S. Dollar In May

Euro's Fall Creates Opportunity For Property Investors In Search Of Diversification The euro has lost 6% against the U.S. dollar in the month of May and is rapidly approaching its most recent low (June 2010) of US$1.20. Make no mistake. It's the euro losing value against the dollar, not the dollar gaining value. The financial [...]
21 May
Advantages Of Opening A Bank Account Offshore

Advantages Of Opening A Bank Account Offshore

I recommend regularly that you have at least one bank account offshore…and that opening a bank account offshore can be the easiest first step to diversifying and internationalizing your life. But why? Why is a bank account in another jurisdiction such an important thing? First, a clarification. When I speak about having a bank account […]

17 May
Who Is Required To File U.S. IRS Form 8938

Who Is Required To File U.S. IRS Form 8938

Understanding IRS Form 8938 (Good Luck) Tax season is over, but many U.S. taxpayers remain confused about the new IRS Form 8938...including many tax professionals, it seems, given the number of e-mails I'm getting from readers asking questions to make sure their tax preparers completed their forms correctly. This new form is a catch-all intended [...]
14 May
FACTA Hearing May 15 In Washington, D.C.

FACTA Hearing May 15 In Washington, D.C.

Team USA--Pissing Off The World's Banks For Nickels And Dimes We've been reporting on the 2010 Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FACTA) requirements since the bill was introduced two years ago. Now, the implications and consequences of what amounts to one of the most arrogant and extra-territorial pieces of legislation in history are beginning to [...]
07 May
Transportation Bill Allows IRS To Revoke U.S. Passports

Transportation Bill Allows IRS To Revoke U.S. Passports

I’d say that a second passport is a more critical piece of your global diversification plan right now than ever before.The U.S. Senate has passed a transportation bill that includes a section giving the IRS the power to revoke the passport of any American who the IRS decides might owe US$50,000 or more in taxes. […]

26 Apr
Cultural Challenges Doing Business Overseas

Cultural Challenges Doing Business Overseas

"Why Would I Do That?" An Irish reader was incensed by my Monday letter. He took offense specifically to my comment suggesting that the Irish electrician who didn't show up until weeks after the appointment he'd set only showed up after he'd run out of pub money. My new Irish friend didn't take the position that [...]
16 Apr
How To Move Money, Pay Bills, And Access Cash Overseas

How To Move Money, Pay Bills, And Access Cash Overseas

Living an international lifestyle used to be for the rich and famous only.Travel was expensive, but, more important, moving money around was also expensive…and complicated. When I took my first trip to Europe more than 25 years ago, I didn’t have a credit card. Even if I’d had one, it wouldn’t have helped me much. […]

12 Apr
The World’s Best Foreign Residency Options

The World’s Best Foreign Residency Options

There's No Such Thing As The "Best" Way To Go Offshore I have a friend who is pursuing multiple residency options concurrently. He's in different stages of trying to establish residency in several different countries with an eye to eventually obtaining citizenship in each one, as well. He figures that at least one of the [...]