Expat Taxation 101—Everything The American Abroad Needs To Know

Dec. 13, 2011, Panama City, Panama: Most Americans overseas can handle their own U.S. tax filing and reporting obligations with a basic understanding of the tax issues for the American overseas and TurboTax. The two key tools are the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Housing Exclusion.

Facebook Photo Contest And Trivia Continues!

This is your chance to share your Christmas photos from around the world. Daily prizes will be awarded, plus Grand Prize winners will be chosen to win free conference admission to any of our future live events!

Go here now to join in on the fun and win prizes!

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

Yesterday, I mentioned that most tax loopholes for going offshore were closed with the U.S. Tax Reform Act of 1986. That is not to say that an American can't still enjoy tax benefits by diversifying his life internationally. You can.

Panama Is #1…But It’s Not Always Best

Jan. 16, 2012, Panama City, Panama: Panama remains the world’s top retirement haven, but Ecuador is one of the world’s cheapest places to retire, and Medellin, Colombia, is a better good weather retirement choice.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

We say (and we believe we're right, based on long experience with this stuff) that Panama remains the world's top retirement haven. That is, in this New Year 2012, Panama is the best place to think about living or retiring overseas...as it has been for the past half-dozen years at least.

However, that is not to say that Panama is the world's best place for all things for all people. For example:

Ecuador is cheaper.

Speaking in round numbers, it'll cost a retired couple US$2,000 per month, including rent, to live comfortably in Panama City or about US$1,100 a month, again, including rent, to live in Las Tablas (our preferred budget destination in this country).

But Isn’t It Expensive To Live There?

Jan. 15, 2012, Panama City, Panama: Cost of living in retirement is a relative, highly controllable idea that depends greatly on how you decide to live in retirement.

Also This Week: Why Would An American Want To Leave The United States?...Medellin Versus Panama City—Two Top 2012 Havens Compared…Three Best Colonial Cities In Colombia Compared…

Dear Overseas Opportunity Letter Reader,

"But I'd think that France would be more expensive," remarked my interviewer Friday afternoon.

"More expensive than what?" I had to ask.

Few things in this world are absolutely expensive. Most things are only relatively so, compared with something else.

The gentleman interviewing me on Friday for the book he's writing was wondering about the reasons an American would think about leaving the United States and living or retiring overseas. Cost, I explained, is a big motivator...the need to escape a high cost of living and the desire to go in search of a more affordable one.

Not Only For The Absurdly Wealthy Or The Ridiculously Criminal

Dec. 12, 2011, Panama City, Panama: Going offshore is not illegal, and it is not wrong. In the current global investing climate, it is pragmatic and sensible. Taking your assets, your investments, your business, and yourself offshore in the current global investing climate is survival.

Facebook Photo Contest Begins This Week

Come join the fun on Facebook for our Christmas trivia and photo contest! Our Christmas Around The World Trivia and Photo Contest starts today and will run through Dec. 30, 2011!

This is your chance to share your Christmas photos from around the world. Daily prizes awarded, plus four Grand Prize winners will be chosen to win free conference admission to any of our future live events!

Check Facebook now for complete details.

Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,

In the 70s and 80s, only the absurdly wealthy or the ridiculously criminal went "offshore." Typically, they went in search of tax loopholes or places to sanitize ill-gotten gains.