Start The New Year Right And You Won't Feel Like A Fool Come April....

Dear International Living Reader,

Once you've visited a place, researched it thoroughly, and determined it indeed is your idea of the perfect paradise... you'll be more than a little eager to get there and get settled in your new life.

There may be a million-and-one details to attend to—and figuring out any looming tax issues may not be the one you're most excited about. What's worse, most U.S. tax professionals haven't a clue about how to file properly once you set foot off the homeland. And they are likely to charge you an exorbitant amount to share what little they do know on the subject.

But you don't have to let a little bureaucracy and taxation spoil your new life in Paradise. Whether you've already made your move...or you're still plotting and planning...you'll want to make sure you check out our latest pain-saving publication:

Introducing....

The Expatriate's Tax Bible: The Complete Guide to U.S. and Foreign Taxes for the American Abroad

The U.S. is not only one of the most heavily taxed places in the world to live, but it has a very long arm. If you're under the impression that taking your residence and your business offshore is going to keep you out of that arm's reach, then I'm afraid this letter is the bearer of bad tidings. Uncle Sam expects you to file and pay what you owe no matter where you spend your time.

But before you shoot the messenger, you should also know that there are some financial advantages to being an expatriate, and some bona fide ways to save on your taxes. But they are not widely known, even among tax professionals. Trust me, we've heard the stories over the years.

Helping You Cross the Great Tax Divide

One friend had this to say: “My U.S. accountant was extremely competent. He charged a couple of hundred dollars and did a thorough job of finding every possible deduction and exemption we could legally claim. So it only made sense to call on him to prepare our return even after we moved overseas.

“Perhaps we should have suspected something was amiss when he told us his new fee—a whopping $1,200! But when my husband looked over the returns, he discovered they were practically useless and needed to be completely re-done.”

Our friend had unwittingly stumbled across the great tax divide—the one that begins at U.S. national borders, and extends across the globe. You see, as much as we have learned over the years about the tax situation once you move overseas, we wouldn't pretend to be experts on the subject. And most of our far-flung staff at International Living have been in the same situation—trying to figuring it out on their own.

Luckily, we met a man named Chris Rusch who knows about the tax laws as they apply to American living abroad. Chris has been a licensed tax attorney in the State of California for nine years. His practice is focused on the international tax issues facing U.S. citizens living and working abroad, as well as those operating businesses outside of the U.S. And he's joined with International Living to update our 150-plus page, easy-to-read overview of everything you need to know about structuring your situation to save money and stay legal.

Putting Off the Inevitable Will Cost You Dearly

In just a minute, I'll tell you more of the specifics that you can find in the guide. But first, I want to give you the big picture. In his introduction, Chris shares an important piece of information that I think is true for so many people in our worldwide expat community—at least it was for many of our friends and associates:

Too many Americans abroad neglect to consider their tax situation until their first tax season approaches. By then it is usually too late to structure things to their advantage.

“If only we'd known”, is the lament we hear so often from International Living readers.
Now, you will. We can't change the past, of course. But I feel completely confident that consulting The Expatriate's Tax Bible right away can change both your present and your future.

Whether you are just toying with the idea of moving abroad, or you're already there and feeling the breath of the next filing deadline on your neck, you will feel an immediate sense of relief when you tackle the tax issue—and find it's not as difficult as you feared.

A Rare Find:
Taxes Discussed in Plain English

I realize, by the way, that the U.S. government puts out a lot of publications meant to explain their arcane and obscure code. But personally, I don't find them to be page-turners. I generally have to read each sentence several times before I get their meaning. And even then, I'm not sure I know what to do with the information once I get it. It may be precise, but it's not user-friendly.

That's the best part about working with a pro like Chris. He won't try to impress you with how much he knows, or confound you with bureaucratic double talk. He makes it very simple and plain. Plus, he includes examples to illustrate each of the most common scenarios—and even shows you completed sets of tax forms that have been properly filled out.

I'm not exactly advocating that you forego getting professional help with your taxes (and Chris makes sure to point out that there are times when you simply must). What I am offering, though, is an easy-to-read, all-inclusive resource that demystifies the whole topic of paying taxes as an American abroad, so that you can do it yourself if you want.

Even if you decide to hire an accountant, you need to know enough to feel confident in their expertise—and maybe even cut down on the time and money you'll spend on their services. Honestly, I've heard of people paying exorbitant fees for tax preparation on top of overpaying their taxes due to some regular accountant's lack of competence in this area. Here are some of the mysteries The Expatriate's Tax Bible: The Complete Guide to U.S. and Foreign Taxes for the American Abroad will solve for you:

• How you can get a filing extension for up to two months later than you would if you lived in the U.S. No need to make excuses or pay additional penalties or fees as long as you know what form to file, what to write on it, and when to send it in... (Procrastinators might want to move offshore for this reason alone!)...
• When you don't need to worry about your income being taxed double—once for each country...
• Which forms you need to fill out for your circumstances (and even what they look like when they're done right)...
• Understand what the IRS means when they use terms such as: tax home, exclusion, bona fide residence, physical presence—even the seemingly straightforward term foreign country needs clearing up when it comes to the federal government...
• Which credits and deductions you qualify for --and which forms you need to fill out to claim them properly...
• The most reliable method for filing your returns...
• How much money you can save on the words allowable housing expense...
• The tax implications of working for a U.S.-owned company, a foreign-owned company, or for yourself...
• How the last U.S. state you live in will affect your taxes for years after you move overseas, and what you can do about it...
• Why you should maintain a U.S. bank account, even after you move...
• How to manage titles and trusts in your name before you move so that you can pay less taxes after you move...(hint: make sure you have a rock solid marriage before attempting some of these strategies!)...
• Some “insider” tips on dealing with the IRS should they come knocking on your door…
• Information on all the tax benefits of setting up an offshore corporation and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about incorporating…

After reading just the first 20 pages of The Expatriate's Tax Bible, you'll know more than most U.S. accountants about filing—and saving—U.S. taxes when you live overseas.

But knowledge is only part of the equation. You also need to know how to apply that knowledge to your personal situation. That's where the next 100+ pages comes in...

No More Guessing

Once you have an overview—and you know which forms you'll need to fill out, which exemptions you can claim, and even what your state and local tax burden will be (something that virtually no tax professional off the street would be able to tell you)—you'll get to do something that might even qualify as fun: peek at other people's tax returns after they've been filled out. (Okay, it's true, the names and social security numbers and some of their details have been changed to protect their identity—we're not crazy!)

Still, if you've ever looked at a stack of tax forms that have yet to be filled out, you understand the meaning of the word “anxiety”—which lines apply to you, and which don't? Are you catching all the possible deductions that are available to a person in your situation?

I guess it's just human nature, but we worry more about what we don't know, than what we're sure of...

That's why The Expatriate's Tax Bible does something that is completely unique—it shows you the entire returns of five different couples or individuals who represent the most common scenarios of U.S. people living abroad: married, single, with children, without, filing separately or jointly, divorced, single, part-year abroad, full-year abroad with intention of returning, and more angles and twists here and there.

It is highly likely that you will see at least some part of your situation reflected in these illustrated examples, and you will see their actual return, along with a plain English explanation, for each scenario. And these returns have been professionally prepared by our tax expert Chris, so you can finally feel confident that you're holding the right information in your hands.

What Tax Benefits (and Drawbacks) Await You In
Your Favorite Countries

Of course, Uncle Sam isn't the only jurisdiction with confusing and sometimes onerous tax laws. Bureaucracy knows no national borders. When you move to another country, you also have to consider their tax laws as well as those from your home country. That's why we've also assembled an entire section full of specific information on some of our featured destinations.

If you love Europe, but you hate taxes, you might have some tough decisions to make. If you're an entrepreneur with a love of Latin music and laid back culture, you can see what kind of tax incentives Central American countries are offering to entice you their way. Either way, its information that's best considered before you pack your bags.

Ecuador, Panama, Mexico, Belize, Ireland, Brazil, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and France. These are some of the hottest destinations for our International Living readers today. The Expatriate's Tax Bible will cover how various taxes are handled in each one. You'll discover:

• Why it's better to be a rich American who collects fine art in France...and why you might want to consider only spending 183 days in France, Ireland, or Italy, and not a day more...
• How you can use a 1031 exchange to save on capital gains taxes for some real estate transactions and not others...
• Why you might want to live in Ecuador if you positively hate income taxes...
• Which country gives you a 20-year tax holiday for opening a tourist-related business. Even if you earn as much as $10 million you won't pay them a dime of income tax on your profits...
• Which country has abolished inheritance taxes altogether... And which levies no taxes on gifts...
• Get a sampling of some of the lowest property tax rates around…
• What tax is hidden in the cost of most foreign goods, and which countries have this extra tax dose included in everything you buy...
• Plus, you'll be able to look up the tax treaties and agreements that are in effect between the U.S. and any nation and know whether you'll be safe from double taxation or not if you decide to go there...

I'm not suggesting that you're going to make such a big life decision as where to live or retire, or raise your children based solely on taxes. The founder of International Living, Bill Bonner, often shares a funny story about his own journey as it relates to the issue of taxation. Bill is philosophically opposed to taxation of any kind; he even worked as an anti-taxation lobbyist in Washington as a young man. Up until recently, he lived with his family in France, one of the most heavily taxed countries in the world. Go figure, he remarks wryly.

All of us learn remarkable lessons about taxation—and just about everything else you can imagine—when we make the leap and leave the U.S. I am just urging you to be wise and informed, and to take taxes into consideration as early into your relocation planning as you can manage.

Find The Hidden Costs And You'll Reap Substantial Savings

Whether you're already happily ensconced in the country of your dreams—or you're just considering a move—it's not too late to get a handle on your taxes and start saving. Resolve that, starting this year, you won't need to pay a dollar more than you owe. And you won't waste another minute fretting about filing. The Expatriate's Tax Bible can save you money that could have been squandered in taxes by not claiming all the exemptions and credits you may be due.

Chris Rusch, the man behind The Expatriate's Tax Bible, is an international tax attorney who has worked with clients in more than 15 countries. His experience covers all types of tax situations, including complex international issues and offshore structures. Chris charges a $300 retainer before he even looks at a tax case. And other international tax attorneys who wouldn't have as much experience as Chris routinely charge thousands of dollars for just a few hours work on minor issues.

Now, as I'm sure you've realized, this guide is not cheap.But it may very well be the best bargain you'll get this tax season. Just consider the amount of time and money it can save...not to mention the hassle of not getting your tax situation right. And as we know from experience—that “not getting your tax situation right” can happen all too often when you're dealing with people unfamiliar with filing for Americans overseas.  

The Expatriate's Tax Bible would be a bargain at $300. But it won't cost you $300.

Right now, this tax season, we're making this just-updated guide available to you for an incredible $149. It'll tell you everything you need to know about structuring your situation to save money and stay legal. And it does it in plain English.

You can reserve your own copy of this guide today for just $149. As an extra bonus, we've set it up so you can download it as soon as your order has processed and your bound copy will follow in the mail. ‘Tis the season where immediate gratification could be the key to a substantial tax savings, so we want to deliver.

(Hint: If you've just recently moved overseas, I suggest you scroll down to the second half of Section Two immediately and breathe a sigh of relief—you still have plenty of time to file if you send in the right form today!)

I am so sure that this newly-updated guide is going to help you save money and stay legal, that I'm willing to completely stand behind my offer. If you're not 100% satisfied with The Expatriate's Tax Bible: The Complete Guide to U.S. and Foreign Taxes for the American Abroad just send it back within 90 days and we'll issue a complete refund.

Stop Sweating The Small Stuff

There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding whether or not to pick up and leave the States and have the grand adventure of living in another country. Language proficiency, real estate prices, cost of living, and cultural differences to name just a few.

Taxes should be the least of your concerns. And they can be—as long as you have a simple but solid plan that will minimize your tax burden and leave you free to explore your new country without worry.

Sincerely,

Jackie Flynn
Publisher, International Living

P.S. Order now and once we process your order, we'll send you a link so you can download an electronic version of The Expatriate's Tax Bible. It's quite likely that knowing about things like the foreign earned income exclusion, or the housing allowance could make a big difference in your bottom line this year. So don't delay.