Expat Tip 19: Inheritance, Estate & Gift Taxes – Cross-Border Rules for Expats
Estate planning doesn’t pause when you become an expat — and gifts you make before or after moving abroad can trigger tax liabilities on both sides of the border. 💡 How Inheritance, Estate & Gift Taxes Work Inheritance / Estate Taxes: Levied on the estate of the deceased before assets are distributed to heirs. […]
Expat Tip 18: Departure Tax & Capital Gains When You Leave
When you permanently leave a country, many tax systems treat it as though you sold all your capital assets — even if you haven’t. This is called departure tax or deemed disposition. It’s one of the costliest surprises for expats. 📈 How Departure Tax (Deemed Disposition) Works Essentially, the tax authority says: “We assume […]
Expat Tip 5: Common Tax Traps Every Expat Must Avoid
Living abroad can be exciting — but expat tax rules are full of hidden pitfalls that can cost you big if overlooked. From bank accounts to residency days, the little details matter. Here are five quick reminders every Aussie or Canadian expat should keep top of mind: 1. It’s Not Just About Interest Even […]
Expat Tip 17: Stock Options & RSUs – Tax Rules for Expats
Equity compensation — such as stock options and RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) — are a powerful way to build wealth. But for expats, they often become complex tax traps when crossing borders. 🚩 Key Tax Events to Watch Grant date: Usually no tax event unless options are exercised immediately. Vesting / Cliff: Some countries […]
Expat Tip 16: Dividends & Foreign Investments – What Expats Need to Know
📈 How Dividends, Interest & Investment Income Are Taxed Dividend income: May be taxed at withholding rates or ordinary income rates depending on the jurisdiction. Interest / Bond yields: Usually taxed as ordinary income in many countries. Capital Gains: Gains from selling stocks, ETFs, or real estate may trigger tax events. Reinvested dividends: Some jurisdictions […]
Expat Tip 15: How Housing & Travel Allowances Are Taxed Abroad
Expat Housing & Travel Allowance Tax Rules One perk of expat life is a housing allowance or travel support, but don’t assume these are tax-free. Australia (ATO): Most allowances (housing, relocation, cost of living) are considered taxable fringe benefits unless they fall under specific exemptions. Employers may pay Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) instead of […]
Expat Tip 13: Inheritance & Estate Taxes for Expats | Global Tax Guide 2025
💼 Inheritance & Estate Taxes for Expats — The Global Picture Moving overseas doesn’t just change your income tax obligations — it can also affect what happens when you inherit or pass on assets.Each country handles inheritance tax (on the recipient) and estate tax (on the deceased’s estate) differently. 🌍 What Expats Should Know […]
Expat Tip 12: Avoid Paying Double Social Security When Working Abroad
When expats move abroad for work, they often focus on income tax — but forget that social security (or its equivalent) can quietly eat into their pay twice. That’s right — in some cases, you might be contributing to both your home country’s and host country’s systems at the same time, without getting any […]
Expat Tip 11: Track Your Travel Days to Safeguard Your Residency Status
For expats, day counting is everything. Tax residency often depends on how many days you spend inside or outside a country. Missing the count by even a few days can change your entire tax status. 📘 Want a simple breakdown of how day-counting works? Check out my Free Expat Tax Guide. 🔗 External resource: […]
Expat Tip 10: Exit Taxes & Leaving Country Rules Every Expat Must Know
Some countries impose an “exit tax” when you leave and give up tax residency. This is essentially a capital gains tax on your unrealised gains at the time of departure. 🔗 External references: CRA Departure Tax | ATO Capital Gains for Foreign Residents 👉 Tip: Before moving, review your investment portfolio — […]
English