U.S. Exit Tax 2020 - Green Card Holders, Citizens & IRS

U.S. Exit Tax 2020 – Green Card Holders, Citizens & IRS

Exiting the U.S. Tax System

U.S. Exit Tax: For Green Card Holders and U.S. Citizens who expatriate in 2020, there may be IRS exit tax consequences. The exit tax rules apply to citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (Green-Card Holders) who qualify as LTR (Long-Term Residents).

With the introduction of FATCA Reporting, increased aggressive enforcement Foreign Accounts Compliance, and resulting Offshore Penalties, some U.S. persons are seeking to relinquish, renounce, or abandon their U.S. status.

Depending on whether the person is considered a citizen or long-term resident will determine certain requirements such as Form 8854, Form I-407, and Covered Expatriate status.

We will summarise the Exit Tax, and how Citizens & Green Card Holders may be able to avoid it.

Who Can the IRS Subject To Exit Tax 

The U.S. exit tax analysis is complicated. Before a person expatriates, and gives up their U.S. status, the IRS wants to be sure the person does not own any tax liability. Even if their taxes are clean, if a person meets one of the three (3) categories of covered expatriate (unless an exception applies) a person may still be subject to “expatriation tax.”

Expatriation – What is it?

Expatriation is a common term used to describe when a U.S. Person relinquishes or renounces their U.S. Status (Legal Permanent Residency/Green Card or U.S. Citizenship).

Expatriation for long-term residents involves 2 main-parts: Tax and Immigration.

Why Does the IRS Care if I Leave?

The reason the IRS rears its ugly head, is because the IRS wants your money. If a person qualifies as Long-Term Resident (generally a Legal Permanent Resident for 8 of the 15 years), then they have to perform an analysis to determine if they are a covered expatriate.

**There are certain exceptions, exclusions and limitations to Long-Term Resident/Covered Expatriate status)

What Tax Forms Do I File?

The most important form to file, is IRS Form 8854. Form 8854 is the Information about Form 8854, Initial and Annual Expatriation Statement.

You can find Form 8854 here.

Am I a Covered Expatriate?

There are various thresholds a person may meet, which results in them becoming a Covered Expatriate. These include:

Tax Liability

Your average annual net income tax liability for the 5 tax years ending before the date of expatriation is more than the amount listed next.

  • $139,000 for 2008.
  • $145,000 for 2009.
  • $145,000 for 2010.
  • $147,000 for 2011.
  • $151,000 for 2012.
  • $155,000 for 2013.
  • $157,000 for 2014.
  • $160,000 for 2015
  • $161,000 for 2016.
  • $162,000 for 2017.
  • $165,000 for 2018.

Net Worth

Your net worth was $2 million or more on the date of your expatriation.

Certification of Tax Filings (5 Years)

You are ineligible to certify on Form 8854 that you have complied with all federal tax obligations for the 5 tax years preceding the date of your expatriation.

Even if you do not have a major tax liability or a net worth of $2M, if you cannot prove tax compliance, then you are considered a covered expatriate.

Oftentimes, the non-compliance stems from unfiled returns, along with various international forms, including:

  • Schedule B
  • FBAR (FinCEN 114)
  • Form 3520
  • Form 3520-A
  • Form 5471
  • Form 5472
  • Form 8621
  • Form 8865
  • Form 8938

What if I am Out of IRS Compliance?

When you have not met your prior year IRS foreign trust, asset or account compliance obligations, your best options are either the traditional IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program, or one of the Streamlined Offshore Disclosure Programs before submitting Form 8854.

Golding & Golding: About our International Tax Law Firm

Golding & Golding specializes exclusively in international tax, and specifically IRS offshore disclosure. 

Contact our firm today for assistance.