There are a number of tax agreements that may affect the taxes of an Expatriate. Some of these are host country specific. Always check the country you live in to check tax status.

Tax Treaty Benefits

U.S. tax treaties or conventions with many foreign countries entitle U.S. residents to certain credits, deductions, exemptions and reduced foreign tax rates. This is a way to pay less tax to those host countries.

For example, most tax treaties allow U.S. resident to exempt part or all of their income for personal services from the treaty (host) country's income tax if they are in the treaty country for a limited number of days.

In January and February of 1998 new treaties become effective with, South Africa, Thailand, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria and Turkey. You will have to check with the local Consulate for the text or other information.

Social Security TOTALIZATION Agreements

These countries have agreements to eliminate duplication of U.S. Social Security and social insurance program of the host country:

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, F.R., Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

If the country you are living in is not listed, send some e-mail to members of congress. The wise use of these agreements saves employers money and strengthens the benefits of employees.

Information Exchange Agreements

These countries have information sharing agreements with the United States:

Barbados, Bermuda, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Peru, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago.

More on how we prepare your expatriate tax returns