International estate planning is more crucial than ever in the current world. It would be best if you had the counsel of an international estate planning attorney whether you are a U.S. citizen with assets abroad, a U.S. resident alien with assets abroad, or a nonresident alien with holdings in the country. You might be the beneficiary of assets located in foreign nations even if you do not fit into one of these categories. So, below we state the international estate attorney for U.S. residents. 

State the estate attorney preparation for U.S. residents with international assets

If you are a citizen of the United States and have assets abroad, your estate plan might not be adequate to control how those assets are transferred. To manage the distribution of those assets, you frequently need to create a different estate plan in each of those nations. We help clients coordinate their estate plans in the United States and other countries as international estate planning attorneys to avoid the greatest extent feasible requirement for probate in any nation.

Does the U.S. impose an estate tax on foreign assets?

Yes. When a citizen of the United States passes away and has assets abroad, if the estate exceeds the statutory exemption amount, the assets abroad will generally be liable to the U.S. estate tax.

In these circumstances, the property going through the estate through a deceased will likely be subject to two taxes: one in the United States and one in the foreign country where the property is located.

Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have estate tax treaties in effect with the United States. As long as it is a non-domiciliary country, the treaties in place with these nations let the country where the property is located tax the estate. Additionally, if the domicile country taxes the estate for the foreign property, it is required to give the estate a credit to pay the tax owed to the domicile nation.

For instance, Italian estate tax regulations would be applicable if a deceased American owned property in Italy. The American estate tax will include a credit to offset the Italian estate tax. In essence, the estate will be responsible for paying the higher estate tax of the two nations. Personal property, such as vehicles and furnishings, may only be taxed in the domicile nation.

State the American resident’s estate tax exemption with the estate attorney.

Currently, U.S. citizens and residents are given a 40% exemption from the estate tax on assets passing through an estate valued up to $11,580,000, as provided individually. The estate tax exemption for married couples is double this amount, or $11,580,000 per person. Starting in 2026, this exemption from the estate tax might reduce. The exemptions will schedule to return to $5.6 million on January 1, 2026, adjusted for inflation from 2018.

How Can I Safeguard My international Assets Once I Leave the U.S. residents?

Non-citizen nonresidents who pass away are subject to U.S. estate taxes on their assets in the country.

Natural land, tangible personal property, and securities of US-based corporations are examples of assets with U.S. locations. Even if the stock certificates had been stored overseas or registered in the name of a nominee. A nonresident’s stock ownership in American corporations is subject to estate taxation. The estate tax will apply to the assets of people who leave the country but keep their U.S. citizenship. Therefore, if you no longer reside in the United States or plan to do so after leaving the country. You might want to consider the many asset protection options available to you. One popular choice is to revoke or give up your citizenship in the U.S. To escape the estate tax once you have permanently left the country.

Who Must Pay Estate and Gift Taxes in the United States?

Upon passing, the assets will regard as part of their gross estate. Therefore, the. Residents and citizens are liable for the U.S. estate tax. Non-citizen nonresidents who pass away are subject to U.S. estate taxes on their assets in the country.

Natural land, tangible personal property, and securities of US-based corporations are examples of assets with U.S. locations. Even if the stock certificates has stored overseas or registered in the name of a nominee. A nonresident’s stock ownership in American corporations is subject to estate taxation. The U.S. estate tax generally only applies to assets valued at more than a particular amount after a person dies. Estate taxes are waived for residents and citizens of the United States on gross estate assets valued at up to $11,580,000. This sum is significantly lower for non-U.S. citizens and residents with U.S. situs assets. For their U.S. assets, non-U.S. citizens’ and residents’ estate tax exemption will reduce to $60,000 per person.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has imposed stringent reporting requirements for U.S. citizens. Those are beneficiaries of a foreign trust in compliance with federal regulations. As a result, there is a chance that breaking American tax law will incur severe fines.