Foreword |
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xvii | |
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Preface |
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xix | |
Acknowledgments |
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xxiii | |
About the Author |
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xxv | |
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Part I Financial Challenges of a Cross-Border Life |
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1 | (20) |
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Chapter 1 Who Are These Cross-Border Families? |
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3 | (9) |
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The Growing Need for a Definitive Guide |
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4 | (2) |
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Who's Who: Who This Book Is Meant to Serve |
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6 | (1) |
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Examples of Who Might Benefit from This Book |
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7 | (1) |
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Diagramming a Cross-Border Person: Residency and U.S. Income Tax Status |
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8 | (2) |
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How Many Cross-Border Professionals and Families Are There? |
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10 | (1) |
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Unique Challenges Faced by Cross-Border Families Connected to the United States |
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11 | (1) |
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Chapter 2 Unique Challenges and the Regulatory Landscape |
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12 | (9) |
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The Unequal Nature of Tax Regimes and Reach |
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12 | (1) |
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The Unique Worldwide Reach of the U.S. Tax System |
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13 | (1) |
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Complexity in Taxation and Other Regulations |
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14 | (1) |
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Scarcity of Professional Help and Information |
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15 | (2) |
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A Changing Legal, Financial, and Regulatory Landscape |
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17 | (2) |
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The Far Reach of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) |
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19 | (1) |
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Recommending Against Secretive Offshore Wealth Strategies |
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20 | (1) |
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Part II Saving and Investing: Building Your Personal Net Worth |
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21 | (46) |
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Chapter 3 Building a Strong Foundation |
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23 | (20) |
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Retirement Destination Unknown: Invest Globally |
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23 | (1) |
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24 | (1) |
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Wealth Creation and Accumulation |
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25 | (1) |
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25 | (1) |
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26 | (1) |
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27 | (1) |
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Entrepreneurs and Businesses Ownership |
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27 | (1) |
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Investment Gains and Reinvestment |
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28 | (1) |
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28 | (1) |
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Diversification: Protecting and Growing Wealth |
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28 | (1) |
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Considering Your Entire Balance Sheet |
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29 | (1) |
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The Meaning of "Diversification" versus "Asset Allocation" |
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30 | (1) |
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30 | (1) |
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Asset Allocation in Investment Portfolios |
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30 | (2) |
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A Well-Allocated Portfolio Can Still Lack Diversification |
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32 | (1) |
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Allocating Your Net Worth: A Balance Sheet Approach |
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32 | (1) |
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Six Primary Asset Categories |
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33 | (1) |
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Three Additional Items of Importance |
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33 | (1) |
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Cash and Cash Equivalents |
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33 | (1) |
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34 | (1) |
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35 | (1) |
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Publicly Traded Securities: Stocks and Bonds |
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36 | (1) |
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Bonds and Bond Funds (Fixed Income) |
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36 | (1) |
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Stocks and Stock Funds (Equities) |
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37 | (1) |
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Downsides of Owning Stocks |
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38 | (1) |
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Concentrated Business Ownership |
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39 | (1) |
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40 | (1) |
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Collectibles and Other Hard Assets |
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41 | (1) |
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Other Private Investment Vehicles |
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41 | (1) |
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42 | (1) |
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Chapter 4 Investing in the Markets: Stocks and Bonds |
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43 | (24) |
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Three Important Attributes |
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43 | (1) |
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43 | (1) |
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43 | (1) |
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Source of Growth and Risk Control |
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44 | (1) |
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Stocks and Bonds Work Better Together |
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44 | (1) |
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45 | (1) |
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Managing Emotions While Focusing on the Long Term |
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45 | (1) |
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Stock Picking---Maybe Not |
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46 | (1) |
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Investment Advice to Live By |
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47 | (1) |
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Avoiding the Herd Mentality |
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48 | (1) |
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Staying Calm in Times of Change |
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49 | (1) |
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Determining Investment Goals and Objectives |
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49 | (1) |
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Four Common Investor Objectives Defined |
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50 | (1) |
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Fundamental Investment Guidelines |
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51 | (1) |
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Low-Cost Passive Investing |
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52 | (1) |
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53 | (1) |
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Global Diversification for All |
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53 | (1) |
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Risk Control Through Asset Allocation |
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54 | (1) |
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Regular Rebalancing Adds Value: Don't Invest and Forget |
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54 | (1) |
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Strategic Versus Tactical Asset Allocation |
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55 | (1) |
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Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) |
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55 | (1) |
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Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) |
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55 | (1) |
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56 | (1) |
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A Jurisdictional Review: Where to Hold Investments? |
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57 | (1) |
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Large Foreign Banks in Europe or Asia |
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58 | (1) |
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Have You Earned Your Own Private Banker? |
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58 | (1) |
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Not World-Class Investments |
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58 | (1) |
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59 | (1) |
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59 | (1) |
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Large Offshore Private Banks |
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60 | (1) |
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Smaller Offshore Banks and Insurance Companies |
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61 | (1) |
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62 | (1) |
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Problems with Maintaining Accounts in the United States |
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63 | (1) |
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Foreign Residents with U.S. Accounts |
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64 | (1) |
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The Best Choice for Many People |
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65 | (2) |
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Part III 401(k)s, IRAs, and Other Pensions and Savings Plans |
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67 | (40) |
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Chapter 5 A Global Approach to 401(k)s and IRAs |
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69 | (11) |
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Investing Your Serious Money |
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69 | (1) |
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70 | (1) |
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Key Benefits of 401(k) Plans |
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70 | (2) |
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Global Investing for a Global Retirement |
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72 | (1) |
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The Location of Underlying Assets Is What Matters |
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72 | (2) |
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401(k) Plans Lack a Global Perspective |
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74 | (1) |
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74 | (2) |
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Target Date Funds: A Lot to Like and Dislike |
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76 | (1) |
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76 | (1) |
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IRAs Offer Distinct Advantages |
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77 | (1) |
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Owning Real Estate Within an IRA |
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78 | (1) |
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Leave It Alone and Let It Grow |
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78 | (2) |
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Chapter 6 Unique Cross-Border 401(k) Issues |
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80 | (11) |
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A Lack of International Tax Agreement |
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81 | (1) |
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Do the Benefits of a 401(k) Follow You? |
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82 | (1) |
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International Tax Law Is Unclear |
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82 | (1) |
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82 | (1) |
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Benefits May Travel with You, but Your Account Stays Put |
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83 | (1) |
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84 | (1) |
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Must I File a U.S. Tax Return Because of a 401(k)? |
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84 | (1) |
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How Are Distributions Taxed? |
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85 | (1) |
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What If You Are Living Abroad When You Draw Out Money? |
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85 | (2) |
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Tax Withholdings on Distributions to Nonresidents |
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87 | (1) |
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Many U.S. Institutions Will Overwithhold Tax on Distributions |
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87 | (1) |
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How Are Foreign Residents Recovering U.S. Withholding Tax? |
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87 | (1) |
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Unreported Income Isn't Right |
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88 | (1) |
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Contributions to IRA Accounts While Living Abroad---Be Careful |
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89 | (2) |
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Chapter 7 Foreign Retirement Plans, Pensions, and Other Savings Accounts |
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91 | (16) |
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91 | (1) |
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U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Retirement Plans Is Often Unclear |
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92 | (1) |
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What Is Really Happening Now? |
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92 | (1) |
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Contributions by U.S. Citizens and Residents to Foreign Plans |
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93 | (1) |
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For U.S. Taxpayers: Foreign Contributions Typically Do Lower Taxes |
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93 | (1) |
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It Is Likely Not Being Reported to the IRS at All |
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94 | (1) |
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Best Planning of All---Save Now and Save Later |
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94 | (1) |
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Existing Foreign Retirement Accounts: The Real World |
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95 | (1) |
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Better International Reporting and Coordination Is Needed |
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96 | (1) |
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Investing Inside a Foreign Retirement Account |
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96 | (1) |
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High Fees and Poor Investments: A Headwind Against Growth |
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96 | (1) |
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Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s |
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97 | (1) |
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98 | (1) |
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Foreign Implications of Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s |
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99 | (1) |
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Roth Accounts Don't Speak Foreign Languages |
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99 | (1) |
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Traditional Pension Income |
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100 | (1) |
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Pensions Paid Across Borders |
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100 | (1) |
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U.S. Taxpayers Abroad with U.S. Pension Income |
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101 | (1) |
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Not Reporting to Foreign Authorities Is Risky |
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101 | (1) |
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U.S. Taxpayers Abroad with Foreign Pension Income |
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102 | (1) |
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Nonresidents Living Abroad with U.S. Pension Income |
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102 | (1) |
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Don't Claim to Be a U.S. Tax Resident When You Are Not |
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103 | (1) |
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103 | (1) |
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Educational Savings: 529 Plans |
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104 | (1) |
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To Maximize Benefit, Start Very Young |
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105 | (1) |
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105 | (1) |
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Finding Good Advice Is a Challenge |
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106 | (1) |
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107 | (36) |
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Chapter 8 Renting, Owning, and Investing |
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109 | (16) |
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109 | (1) |
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Real Estate Appreciation Likely to Slow in Future |
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109 | (1) |
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Primary Residences and Vacation Homes |
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110 | (1) |
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Advantages to Owning Your Home |
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110 | (1) |
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111 | (1) |
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The Process of Buying a Home in the United States |
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112 | (1) |
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Selling Expenses and Property Taxes |
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113 | (1) |
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Buy or Rent upon Arrival? |
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113 | (2) |
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When You Should Probably Own |
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115 | (1) |
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Real Estate as an Investment |
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115 | (1) |
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Before Even Considering an Investment |
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115 | (1) |
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Benefits (and Some Negatives) to Investing in Real Estate |
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116 | (1) |
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Property Types: Single-Family Homes Versus Commercial |
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117 | (1) |
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Types of Commercial Real Estate Assets |
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117 | (2) |
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Owning Property: Directly or with Other Investors |
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119 | (1) |
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119 | (1) |
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To Rent Out or Sell a Former Home |
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120 | (1) |
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Why Turn Your Old Home into a Rental Property? |
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120 | (1) |
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Do You Like Fixing Toilets? |
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121 | (1) |
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You Have Three Years to Decide |
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121 | (1) |
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Cross-Border Situations Where a Home Is Left Behind |
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122 | (1) |
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122 | (1) |
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Foreign Nationals with U.S. Residency |
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122 | (1) |
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Foreigners Might Sell Before Becoming a U.S. Tax Resident |
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123 | (1) |
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Selling Before Entering the United States, When Gains Are Very Large |
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124 | (1) |
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124 | (1) |
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Chapter 9 Real Estate Taxation and Other Considerations |
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125 | (18) |
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Basic Tax Treatment of Real Estate |
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125 | (1) |
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Taxation of Primary Residences |
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125 | (1) |
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Tax-Free Gain on Sale of a Primary Residence |
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126 | (1) |
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The Treatment of Vacation Homes |
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127 | (1) |
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Taxation of Rentals and Other Investment Property |
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127 | (1) |
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Reducing Income Tax---A Shelter from the Tax Man |
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128 | (1) |
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Selling Investment Property---Calculating Taxable Gains |
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129 | (1) |
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Tax Basis and Accumulated Depreciation---Shifting Income Down |
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129 | (1) |
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Foreign Properties Often Not Reported to the IRS |
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130 | (1) |
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Go Ahead, It Won't Hurt Too Much |
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131 | (1) |
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It's Not Really "Forever"---But It Might Be |
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131 | (1) |
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Global Transparency Is Coming |
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132 | (1) |
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Foreign Property Gifted by Family Members |
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132 | (1) |
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Owning Property Inside of an IRA |
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133 | (1) |
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Rules to Be Carefully Followed |
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133 | (1) |
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Be Careful to Read the Fine Print |
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134 | (1) |
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Other Cross-Border Considerations |
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135 | (1) |
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Tax-Free Exchange of Investment Property---Doesn't Travel Well |
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135 | (1) |
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Sorry, This Only Works for U.S. Properties |
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136 | (1) |
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Avoid Owning Foreign Real Estate Through a Foreign Corporation |
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136 | (1) |
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Unique Currency Risk When Owning Property Abroad |
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137 | (1) |
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Strange Gains and Losses on the Retirement of Debt on Personal Residence |
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137 | (2) |
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Nonresident Aliens: Investing in the United States and the EB-5 Program |
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139 | (1) |
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Nonresident Aliens Investing in U.S. Real Estate |
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139 | (1) |
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Becoming a U.S. Resident---EB-5 Visas |
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140 | (1) |
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Estate Taxes on U.S. Property Owned by Nonresidents |
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140 | (1) |
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Risk of Estate Taxes with Foreign Property |
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140 | (3) |
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Part V Cross-Border Taxation |
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143 | (60) |
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Chapter 10 Understanding the Three Types of Cross-Border Families |
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145 | (20) |
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The Unique Complexities of Cross-Border Taxation |
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145 | (2) |
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Tax Profiles: Three Types of Cross-Border Families |
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147 | (1) |
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Type 1 Foreign Nationals in the United States |
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147 | (1) |
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Learning the U.S. Tax System |
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148 | (1) |
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Type 2 American Citizens and Permanent Residents Living Abroad |
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148 | (1) |
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Foreign Citizens Leaving the United States for Short-Term Assignments |
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149 | (1) |
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Expatriate Assignments and Tax-Equalized Employment Packages |
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150 | (1) |
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"Localized" Employment Contracts in Another Country |
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151 | (1) |
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Reducing U.S. Tax for Taxpayers Living Abroad |
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152 | (1) |
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Foreign Earned Income Exclusion |
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152 | (1) |
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Foreign Housing Exclusion |
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152 | (1) |
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153 | (1) |
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Revoking the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion |
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153 | (1) |
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Likely U.S. Tax Liabilities for U.S. Taxpayers Abroad |
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154 | (1) |
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Type 3 Foreign Nationals with Assets in the United States |
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155 | (1) |
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Taxation by the IRS---On Passive U.S. Investments |
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156 | (1) |
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Interest Income, Dividends, and Capital Gains |
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157 | (1) |
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Rental Real Estate Property In the United States |
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157 | (1) |
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Overwithholding Tax on Bond Interest Inside a Fund |
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158 | (1) |
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Estate Tax Exemptions for Nonresidents |
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159 | (1) |
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Becoming a U.S. Resident for Tax Purposes |
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159 | (1) |
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Two Tests to Determine U.S. Residency |
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160 | (1) |
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Lawful Permanent Resident Test (the Green Card Test) |
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160 | (1) |
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Substantial Presence Test |
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161 | (1) |
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Situations When Taxed Only on U.S.-Sourced Income |
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162 | (1) |
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163 | (2) |
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Chapter 11 U.S. Tax Overview: Federal and State |
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165 | (16) |
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Taxing Worldwide Income: The IRS Is Different |
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165 | (1) |
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166 | (1) |
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166 | (1) |
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167 | (1) |
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Deductions from Gross Income |
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168 | (1) |
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Itemized or Standard Deductions from AGI |
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168 | (1) |
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169 | (1) |
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169 | (1) |
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Understanding Marginal Tax Rates |
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169 | (1) |
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Lower Tax Rates on Capital Gains and Dividends |
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170 | (1) |
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Real Estate Rental Income |
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171 | (2) |
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Stock-Based Compensation: Options |
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173 | (1) |
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Stock-Based Compensation: Stock Grants and RSUs |
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173 | (1) |
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Exchange Rate Issues When Taxing Foreign Income |
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174 | (2) |
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176 | (1) |
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State Tax Returns Often Based on Federal Returns |
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176 | (1) |
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Different Treatments of Long-Term Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends |
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176 | (1) |
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State Tax Residency: Requirements and Termination |
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177 | (1) |
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When States Come Looking for You |
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178 | (1) |
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U.S. Tax Residents Living Abroad with State Tax Liabilities |
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179 | (1) |
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Avoiding Unnecessarily Becoming a State Resident in the First Place |
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179 | (2) |
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Chapter 12 Additional Tax-Planning Considerations |
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181 | (22) |
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Investing Outside of the United States---Avoiding PFIC Rules |
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181 | (1) |
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Passive Foreign Investment Corporations (PFICs) Explained |
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181 | (1) |
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Complex Reporting and Punitive Tax Treatment |
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182 | (2) |
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Advice on Foreign Accounts and PFIC |
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184 | (1) |
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Three PFIC Scenarios to Consider |
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185 | (1) |
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Foreign Asset Reporting and Tax Evasion |
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186 | (1) |
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Foreign Bank Account Reporting (FBAR) Requirements |
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187 | (1) |
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188 | (1) |
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Other Foreign Asset Reporting: Form 8938 |
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188 | (3) |
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Additional Foreign Asset Reporting |
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191 | (1) |
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Voluntary Offshore Disclosure Programs (OVPD) |
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191 | (1) |
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Other Forms of Taxation in the United States |
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192 | (1) |
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192 | (1) |
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Social Security Tax Calculation |
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192 | (1) |
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192 | (1) |
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Special Taxes on High-Earners |
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193 | (1) |
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Additional Medicare Taxes on Ordinary Income |
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193 | (1) |
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Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) |
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194 | (1) |
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194 | (1) |
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195 | (1) |
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196 | (1) |
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Estate Taxes for Nonresidents |
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197 | (1) |
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Expatriation Tax (Exit Tax) |
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197 | (1) |
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198 | (1) |
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199 | (1) |
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Accelerate Income When Possible |
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199 | (1) |
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Distribute Deferred Income When Possible |
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199 | (1) |
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Consider Realizing Gains Before Moving Here |
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200 | (1) |
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Review Existing Asset Structures Before Arriving |
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201 | (1) |
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Review Immigration and Visa Alternatives |
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|
201 | (2) |
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Part VI Retirement Planning |
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|
203 | (27) |
|
Chapter 13 Planning for a Global Retirement |
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205 | (14) |
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Where to Retire? A Common Dilemma |
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205 | (1) |
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Being Near Family Is Most Important |
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206 | (1) |
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Plan to Retire Anywhere, to Maximize Flexibility |
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206 | (1) |
|
Worldwide Planning Is Also Inherently More Complex |
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207 | (1) |
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207 | (1) |
|
Having Enough Money to Retire |
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208 | (1) |
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How Much Money Will You Need? |
|
|
208 | (1) |
|
First Question: What Will You Need to Live On? |
|
|
208 | (1) |
|
Second Question: What Are Your Sources of Ongoing Retirement Income? |
|
|
209 | (1) |
|
Third Question: Will Your Retirement Savings Make Up the Difference? |
|
|
209 | (1) |
|
Safe Withdrawal Rates: The 4 Percent Rule |
|
|
210 | (1) |
|
What Is a Successful Retirement? |
|
|
211 | (1) |
|
The Important Role of Financial Planning |
|
|
211 | (1) |
|
Longevity Risk Is Alive and Well |
|
|
212 | (1) |
|
Inheritance: Plan for It, But Don't Count on It |
|
|
212 | (1) |
|
Organizing and Optimizing Worldwide Income and Assets |
|
|
213 | (1) |
|
Assessing Sources of Income in Retirement |
|
|
213 | (1) |
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|
214 | (1) |
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
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|
215 | (1) |
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Qualified Accounts: 401(k)s, IRAs, and Other U.S. and Foreign Retirement Accounts |
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215 | (1) |
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Nonqualified Investment Accounts---Generally Holding Stocks and Bonds |
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216 | (1) |
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Concentrated Stock and Stock Options |
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217 | (1) |
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217 | (1) |
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217 | (1) |
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Currency Exposure: A Real Retirement Risk |
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218 | (1) |
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Chapter 14 Considerations for Cross-Border Retirees |
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219 | (11) |
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Tax Planning for Retirement |
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219 | (1) |
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Taxes on Pension and Social Security Income |
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219 | (1) |
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Taxes on Investment Income and Gains |
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219 | (1) |
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Taxes on Distributions from Qualified Accounts |
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220 | (1) |
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Taking Retirement Accounts with You |
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221 | (1) |
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Cash Management and Account Administration |
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221 | (1) |
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FATCA Fallout: Harder to Deal with Big International Banks |
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222 | (1) |
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222 | (1) |
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Foreign Exchange Costs---Minimize Translations |
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223 | (1) |
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Efficient Cross-Border Money Transfers |
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223 | (1) |
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Social Security and Foreign Government Pensions |
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224 | (1) |
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Social Security Benefits Earned Are Usually Yours for Life |
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225 | (1) |
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Possible "Windfall Elimination" Reduction to Benefits |
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226 | (1) |
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Long-Term Viability and Ongoing Changes |
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226 | (1) |
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Filing for Benefits Early, on Time, or Late? |
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227 | (1) |
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Foreign Government Pensions |
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228 | (1) |
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Drawing on Tax-Deferred Accounts |
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228 | (1) |
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The Ordering of Withdrawals |
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229 | (1) |
Conclusion |
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230 | (1) |
An Overview of Key Points |
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230 | (4) |
Final Thoughts and Words of Encouragement |
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234 | (1) |
Index |
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235 | |