Cross Border Financial Planning

Our cross-border financial planning services include:

• Overseas inheritances involving US-based assets
• Coordinating non-US wills with US brokerage accounts
• Structuring investments in a tax-efficient manner for both US and non-US citizens
• Guidance around tax residency and estate exposure
• Planning considerations involving PFIC regulations and cross-border investment structures
• Broader US Israel tax planning strategies tied to holding assets across multiple jurisdictions
• US–Israel estate planning considerations involving globally held assets and cross-border beneficiaries
• Financial planning guidance surrounding cross-border divorce-related asset and tax complications
• Coordination and tax considerations involving the treatment of inherited IRAs for US citizens living abroad
• Social Security planning and strategies for non-US residents

Effective international planning often requires careful coordination between legal, tax, investment, and custodial considerations across borders, including matters involving estate administration, reporting obligations, and documentation such as a Tax Transfer Certificate.

Over the past 16 years, we have helped expatriates navigate cross-border financial planning, and these are some of the questions that have consistently been top of mind for internationally based families.

Do US expats pay taxes in both the US and Israel?

Yes, US expats living in Israel may have tax obligations in both countries, as the United States taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of residency. 

However, understanding taxes for US expats in Israel, including tax treaties, foreign tax credits, and proper cross-border planning, can help reduce or prevent double taxation when structured appropriately.

How does the US–Israel tax treaty work?

The US-Israel tax treaty is explained as a framework and agreement between the United States and Israel that helps coordinate taxation for individuals with financial ties to both countries by determining which country has primary taxing rights over certain income, investments, pensions, and financial assets in order to reduce double taxation.

The treaty also provides guidance on residency status, withholding rules, foreign tax credits, and how specific types of cross-border income may be treated for tax purposes.

Can I receive Social Security while living in Israel?

Yes, many US citizens can continue receiving Social Security benefits while living in Israel, provided they remain eligible under US regulations. 

Planning around social security for US expats abroad often becomes part of a broader cross-border retirement strategy involving taxes, healthcare considerations, currency management, and long-term income planning.

What happens to Medicare if I live abroad?

Traditional Medicare coverage generally does not extend outside the United States, which means many expatriates living abroad will need alternative healthcare arrangements in their country of residence. 

For US citizens retiring internationally, understanding Medicare coverage for US expats often becomes an important part of broader cross-border retirement and long-term financial planning. An important factor in determining whether to keep US Medicare is how much time one anticipates spending in the US each year,

What should I consider when retiring in Israel?

When retiring in Israel from the US, it is important to consider tax residency, Social Security income, healthcare coverage, currency exposure, estate planning, and how investment accounts will be managed across jurisdictions. 

For many US expatriates, successful retirement planning also involves coordinating cross-border taxes, custodial relationships, and  ease of access to retirement assets.