US TAXPAYERS OWNERSHIP OF FOREIGN REAL ESTATE

US TAX RULES GOVERNING FOREIGN REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP

If you own real estate abroad the US income tax rules with respect to that property are almost the same as if the property were located in the US. On your U.S. tax return you would depreciate the property and follow the  the same rules with respect to income and expenses as you would on a property located in the USA.    Owning the property alone does not require you to file any special forms.  However, some additional new forms may be required depending on your operation of the property and any foreign entities which may be used to hold title to the property.

If the property is your primary persona residence, and you live in it full time 2 out of the past five years you can claim the sale of personal residence  gain exclusion on the property ($250,000 if single or $500,000) if married and pay no taxes so long as your gain is less than that amount. However, if the real estate is a second home or rental property, you may not escape taxation on the sale of the property by using a tax free 1031 exchange. Foreign properties are not eligible under this code section.

If your foreign real estate is a rental property, the  rental income and expenses must be reported on your Form 1040 using schedule E.  The depreciable building portion of your tax basis in the property must be depreciated over a 40 year straight line period.  Land cost is not depreciable.  The fact the property does not produce a profit does not exempt you from putting it on your US tax return.  You can offset any foreign income taxes paid on rental profits or profit on sale against your US tax on that same taxable gain.

If you maintain a tax domicile in a US state, you must also report this foreign rental property or take your deductions on your personal foreign real estate on your state tax return. States in general do not allow foreign tax credits. Rental income is not eligible for the foreign earned income exclusion.

In some countries such as Costa Rica, title to all real estate is held through a
Costa Rican corporation. You must report you ownership in this foreign corporation as well and you foreign bank accounts if applicable under the rules governing form TDF 90-22.1

The following additional forms may be required if you own a foreign property depending on the manner title is held and how the property is operated:

  • Form 5471- For foreign corporations with more than 10% US owners.

  • Form TDF 90.22-1- To be filed if any time during the year you had signature authority or an ownership interest one or more foreign bank accounts, financial accounts, debit card accounts, which together had at any time during the year more than $10,000 in them (collectively)

  • Form 3520 and 3520A -Filed if you are a grantor, grantee or in someway connected with a foreign trust

  • Form 926-Filed when property is transferred to a foreign corporation.

  • Form 8865 Filed for foreign partnerships

  • Form 8858 - Filed  or Foreign Disregarded Entities

Failure to file most of these forms can result  in the IRS imposing severe penalties unless you can show "reasonable cause" which is often difficult to prove. 

 

 

Don D. Nelson, Attorney at Law, Certified Public Accountant
All Returns Prepared by Kauffman Nelson LLP- Certified Public Accountants
US Phone (949) 481-4094     US Fax: (949) 606-9627
US Toll Free (866) 712-0320

Email: ddnelson@gmail.com  or use our email inquiry form

34145 Pacific Coast Highway #401
Dana Point, California  92629 USA

 

 |Homepage-Expatriate Tax | Site Index |Homepage Legal-Tax|  Expatriate Tax Return Preparation |  More About Don Nelson  |  Search Site   | Expatriate Tax Law Explained | IRS  Foreign Tax Forms |  Web Links  | Personal " Mini-Consultation"  |

Want to Receive Our Free Email Newsletter with Information on US tax law for expatriates, changes in that law, and new developments?  Send an email  by clicking here and completing our newsletter request form. Your address will not be given to others and remains confidential.

 

 
 

 

FOR THE LATEST EXPATRIATE AND INTERNATIONAL TAX DEVELOPMENTS  VISIT OUR BLOG<CLICK>

Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and American Bar Association   

© TaxMeLess.com  2012                                            Last Updated on: 03/31/2008             Terms of Use of this Website and Disclaimer              

Don D. Nelson, Attorney, Certified Public Accountant
US Phone (949) 481-4094     US Fax: (949) 606-9627
US Toll Free (866) 712-0320  SKYPE NO: dondnelson

Email: ddnelson@gmail.com  or use our email inquiry form

34145 Pacific Coast Highway #401
Dana Point, California  92629 USA
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Office Number: 011-52-624-131-5228
 

 

 |Homepage-Expatriate Tax | Site Index |Homepage Legal-Tax|  Expatriate Tax Return Preparation |  More About Don Nelson  |  Search Site   | Expatriate Tax Law Explained | IRS  Foreign Tax Forms |  Web Links  | Personal " Mini-Consultation"  |

Want to Receive Our Free Email Newsletter with Information on US tax law for expatriates, changes in that law, and new developments?  Send an email  by clicking here and completing our newsletter request form. Your address will not be given to others and remains confidential.

 

 
 

 

FOR THE LATEST EXPATRIATE AND INTERNATIONAL TAX DEVELOPMENTS  VISIT OUR BLOG<CLICK>

MORE ABOUT MEXICO:   US & MEXICAN TAX BLOG

Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and American Bar Association   

© TaxMeLess.com  2010                                      Last Updated on: 11/11/2010             Terms of Use of this Website and Disclaimer              

Don D. Nelson, Attorney, Certified Public Accountant
US Phone (949) 481-4094     US Fax: (949) 606-9627
US Toll Free (866) 712-0320  SKYPE NO: dondnelson

Email: ddnelson@gmail.com  or use our email inquiry form

34145 Pacific Coast Highway #401
Dana Point, California  92629 USA
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Office Number: 011-52-624-131-5228
 

 

 |Homepage-Expatriate Tax | Site Index |Homepage Legal-Tax|  Expatriate Tax Return Preparation |  More About Don Nelson  |  Search Site   | Expatriate Tax Law Explained | IRS  Foreign Tax Forms |  Web Links  | Personal " Mini-Consultation"  |

Want to Receive Our Free Email Newsletter with Information on US tax law for expatriates, changes in that law, and new developments?  Send an email  by clicking here and completing our newsletter request form. Your address will not be given to others and remains confidential.

 

 
 

 

FOR THE LATEST EXPATRIATE AND INTERNATIONAL TAX DEVELOPMENTS  VISIT OUR BLOG<CLICK>

MORE ABOUT MEXICO:   US & MEXICAN TAX BLOG

Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and American Bar Association   

© TaxMeLess.com  2010                                      Last Updated on: 11/11/2010             Terms of Use of this Website and Disclaimer              

 

Don D. Nelson,  US  INTERNATIONAL & EXPATRIATE TAX Attorney
Partner in Kauffman Nelson LLP CPAS

All returns prepared by Kauffman Nelson LLP, CPAs
US Phone (949) 480-1235    US Fax: (949) 606-9627
 SKYPE NO:
dondnelson
Whatsapp: 818-519-9219 (US)
Email inquiries & questions
ddnelson@gmail.com  or use our email inquiry form

Huntington Beach, California USA and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Our US Phone Number Abroad: 949-860-9606
               

Want to Receive Our Free Email Newsletter with Information on US tax law for expatriates, changes in that law, and new developments?  Send an email  by clicking here and completing our newsletter request form. Your address will not be given to others and remains confidential.

 


 

 

Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and American Bar Association   

© TaxMeLess.com  2021                                                                  Last Updated on:1/11/2021

  Terms of Use of this Website and Disclaimer