Are you a Foreign National living and working in the U.S.?
This Is Worth Reviewing Before You Plan Your Financial Future
If you’re living and working in the United States but are not a U.S. citizen, you’ve likely built something meaningful here.
You may own property.
You may have retirement savings.
You may have started a business.
You may be supporting family here or abroad.
In many ways, you’re building your version of the American dream.
But there is an important planning issue that many non-citizens are unaware of.
The Estate Tax Difference Most People Don’t Realize
U.S. citizens currently benefit from a very high federal estate tax exemption.
Non-citizens, however, may be subject to significantly different rules — especially if they are not considered U.S. domiciliaries for estate tax purposes.
In some cases, U.S.-situated assets above a relatively low exemption threshold can be subject to federal estate tax rates of up to 40%.
That can come as a surprise to families who assumed their estate would transfer smoothly.
Why This Matters
If you own:
U.S. real estate
U.S.-based investment accounts
Business interests
Certain retirement assets
Your heirs could face estate tax exposure depending on your residency status and planning structure.
The exact outcome depends on multiple factors, including tax treaties between the U.S. and your country of citizenship — which is why personalized planning is critical.
The Good News
There are legitimate strategies that may help reduce or avoid unnecessary estate tax exposure.
These can include:
Proper ownership structuring
Life insurance strategies
Trust planning
Coordinated estate and tax review
The key is awareness. The earlier this is addressed, the more flexibility you typically have.
A Thoughtful Conversation Can Make a Difference
If you are a foreign national living in the U.S., it may be worth reviewing how your assets are structured — especially if you’ve accumulated property or investments here.
Planning now can help protect your family from unexpected complications later.
If this topic applies to you, I’m happy to have a conversation and review your situation.