Question 1

What types of tax matters do you handle?

Accepted Answer

We focus on U.S. tax matters involving more than one country. Common situations include foreign individuals or businesses with U.S. activities, U.S. taxpayers with foreign companies or assets, international information reporting, treaty-related issues, and correcting missed or inaccurate international filings.Our practice is designed for situations where the international component is a meaningful part of the tax problem—not routine domestic tax preparation.

Question 2

I live outside the United States and own a U.S. LLC or business. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly assist non-U.S. individuals and businesses that own or operate U.S. entities.Depending on the ownership structure and business activity, you may have U.S. income tax or information-reporting requirements even when little or no U.S. income tax is ultimately due. Common issues include Forms 5472 and 1120, Forms 1120-F and 1040-NR, effectively connected income, withholding, and treaty considerations.

Question 3

I’m a U.S. taxpayer with a foreign company, account, or investment. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. U.S. taxpayers with foreign businesses and assets can face additional tax and reporting requirements.We assist with matters involving foreign corporations, partnerships and disregarded entities, as well as reporting such as Forms 5471, 8858, 8865, FBAR and other international disclosures.

Question 4

I recently moved to or from the United States. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Moving across borders can affect your U.S. tax residency, filing status, foreign income reporting, treaty position, and the taxation of businesses and investments.We can help determine how the U.S. rules apply during the transition and identify any filings or planning issues that need to be addressed.

Question 5

Do you prepare regular U.S. tax returns?

Accepted Answer

Our practice is focused on international and cross-border tax matters.We may prepare individual or business tax returns when they are part of a broader international engagement, but we generally do not accept domestic-only tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, or routine accounting engagements.

Question 6

What if I missed an international tax filing or think a prior return was incorrect?

Accepted Answer

We can review prior filings, identify missing or inaccurate international reporting, and help determine an appropriate path forward.International tax forms can carry substantial penalties, so we generally recommend evaluating the full situation before simply filing a late form or amending a return.

Question 7

Can you help with late Forms 5471, 5472, 8858, 8865 or FBARs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly work with taxpayers who discover that an international filing was missed or prepared incorrectly.The appropriate solution depends on the facts, the type of filing, the reason it was missed, and whether other returns or disclosures are affected. We first determine what actually needs to be corrected before recommending a filing approach.

Question 8

I received an IRS notice involving an international tax issue. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Potentially. We review IRS notices involving international reporting, foreign-owned businesses, nonresident taxpayers and related cross-border matters.Send us a copy of the notice along with a brief description of your situation so we can determine whether it falls within our practice.

Question 9

I formed a U.S. company several years ago but never filed anything. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

This is a situation we frequently evaluate.A U.S. entity can have filing or information-reporting obligations even if it had little activity or no U.S. income tax liability. We can review the ownership, activity and prior years to determine what should have been filed and what options are available now.

Question 10

Can you work with my accountant or attorney in another country?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many of our clients already have accountants, attorneys or other advisers in their home country.When appropriate, we coordinate with those advisers while focusing on the U.S. tax issues. You generally do not need to replace your existing local adviser in order to work with us.

Question 11

How much does an engagement cost?

Accepted Answer

Fees depend on the complexity of the situation, the entities and countries involved, the number of tax years involved, and the filings or analysis required.Most new cross-border engagements start in the $3,000–$4,000 range, and more complex matters may be substantially higher.We establish the scope of work and fee before beginning substantive work.

Question 12

Do you offer free consultations?

Accepted Answer

We do not provide free technical tax advice or tax planning consultations.You are welcome to send us a brief description of your situation. We will review it to determine whether the matter appears to fit our practice and, if appropriate, discuss the next step and proposed scope of work.

Question 13

What happens after I contact you?

Accepted Answer

Start by telling us briefly about your situation, including the countries involved, relevant entities or investments, and the issue you are trying to resolve.We will review the information to determine whether the matter fits our practice. If it does, we will explain the next step and, where possible, outline the anticipated scope and fee.

Question 14

What information should I provide when I contact you?

Accepted Answer

You do not need to organize a complete tax file before reaching out.A useful initial description typically includes:Where you live and your U.S. citizenship or residency status, if relevantThe countries involvedAny U.S. or foreign companies you ownThe approximate ownership percentagesThe tax years involvedAny international tax forms you know were filed or missedAny IRS notices you have receivedA brief explanation of what you are trying to accomplish or correct
We can request additional documents after determining that the matter fits our practice.

Question 15

Do I need to be located in the United States to work with you?

Accepted Answer

No. We work remotely with clients located in the United States and abroad.Documents, meetings and most communications can be handled electronically, making it practical to work together regardless of where you are located.

U.S. Tax Help for Cross-Border Situations

Which Cross-Border Situation Describes You?

New to the U.S. Tax System

Foreign Person with U.S. Business or Income

U.S. Taxpayer With Foreign Assets or Businesses

Cross-Border Filing Problem or Cleanup

New to the U.S. Tax System

Common Situations:

Common Forms and Issues:

Foreign Persons with U.S. Income or Businesses

Common Situations:

Common Forms and Issues:

U.S. Taxpayer with Foreign Assets or Businesses

Common Situations:

Common Forms and Issues:

Cross-Border Filing Problem or Cleanup

Common Situations:

Common Forms and Issues:

Meet Your Tax Professional
Marcus Shimotsu

Let's Get Started

FAQ

What types of tax matters do you handle?

I live outside the United States and own a U.S. LLC or business. Can you help?

I’m a U.S. taxpayer with a foreign company, account, or investment. Can you help?

I recently moved to or from the United States. Can you help?

Do you prepare regular U.S. tax returns?

What if I missed an international tax filing or think a prior return was incorrect?

Can you help with late Forms 5471, 5472, 8858, 8865 or FBARs?

I received an IRS notice involving an international tax issue. Can you help?

I formed a U.S. company several years ago but never filed anything. What should I do?

Can you work with my accountant or attorney in another country?

How much does an engagement cost?

Do you offer free consultations?

What happens after I contact you?

What information should I provide when I contact you?

Do I need to be located in the United States to work with you?

U.S. Tax Help for Cross-Border Situations

Which Cross-Border Situation Describes You?

New to the U.S. Tax System

Foreign Person with U.S. Business or Income

U.S. Taxpayer With Foreign Assets or Businesses

Cross-Border Filing Problem or Cleanup

New to the U.S. Tax System

Common Situations:

Common Forms and Issues:

Foreign Persons with U.S. Income or Businesses

Common Situations:

Common Forms and Issues:

U.S. Taxpayer with Foreign Assets or Businesses

Common Situations:

Common Forms and Issues:

Cross-Border Filing Problem or Cleanup

Common Situations:

Common Forms and Issues:

Meet Your Tax Professional Marcus Shimotsu

Let's Get Started

FAQ

What types of tax matters do you handle?

I live outside the United States and own a U.S. LLC or business. Can you help?

I’m a U.S. taxpayer with a foreign company, account, or investment. Can you help?

I recently moved to or from the United States. Can you help?

Do you prepare regular U.S. tax returns?

What if I missed an international tax filing or think a prior return was incorrect?

Can you help with late Forms 5471, 5472, 8858, 8865 or FBARs?

I received an IRS notice involving an international tax issue. Can you help?

I formed a U.S. company several years ago but never filed anything. What should I do?

Can you work with my accountant or attorney in another country?

How much does an engagement cost?

Do you offer free consultations?

What happens after I contact you?

What information should I provide when I contact you?

Do I need to be located in the United States to work with you?

Meet Your Tax Professional
Marcus Shimotsu