U.S . Immigration and International Taxation Key Concepts and Differences

1. U.S. Immigration and International TaxationKey Concepts and Differences by James D. Prappas Partner Jackson Walker L.L.P. Houston, Texas Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants Houston CPA Society Galveston Island Convention Center Galveston, Texas June 12, 2013

2. Definitions • Visa - a visa is a permit to enter the U.S. which is issued by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S. The possession of a visa does not guarantee admission to the U.S. • What is immigration status? – legal basis to be physically present in the U.S. • What is the difference? Generally a person must have a visa to enter the U.S. The status determines what activities a person may conduct in the U.S. and for how long.

3. Types of Visas • Temporary Visas for Work • Temporary Visas for Pleasure • Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) , aka “Green Card”

4. Interplay between SSN and U.S. Immigration Law • The possession of an immigration status does not grant automatic eligibility for a SSN • A visitor for business and/or a visitor for pleasure generally are not eligible for an SSN • Applicable forms include IRS Forms 1099 and 941

5. What is residence for U.S. immigration purposes? The term "residence" means the place of general abode; the place of general abode of a person means his principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent. INA §101 (a)(15)(33)

6. What is a “Green Card”,  lawful permanent residence? • Form I-551 is the “green card” • LPR status grants a person the right to live permanently in the U.S. • LPRs have rights and responsibilities including the requirement to file U.S. income tax returns on their worldwide income as a “resident” versus a non- resident for tax purposes

7. Is a “Green Card” forever? • Answer – not necessarily • LPR status is granted by the USCIS • A person may hold LPR status for the remainder of his/her life while he/she lives in the U.S., but he/she can “abandon” his/her LPR status • The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and/or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (both part of the Department of Homeland Security) can determine a person has “abandoned” his/her LPR status

8. Exit Tax • The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008, PL 110-245, (June 17, 2008) introduced an “exit tax” for U.S. citizens who renounce their citizenship and long-term LPRs whose status has ended through abandonment or revocation. IRS §877A. • An LPR is a long-term resident if he has held that status for any part of 8 of 15 calendar years ending in the year he loses his status. LPR status ends when the status ceases or when the LPR began to be treated as a resident of a tax treaty country and a nonresident of the U.S. for tax purposes under a tax treaty residency tiebreaker rule. U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens, IRS Publication 519 (2011)

9. Exit Tax (cont.) • The law covers individuals: (i) who have a net worth of $2M or more, or (ii) who have paid an average annual tax of more than $145,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) in the five years preceding expatriation or termination of residency status; or (iii) who fail to certify on Form 8854 (Expatriation Information Statement) compliance with all federal tax obligations for the 5 years immediately preceding expatriation or termination of residency. There are exceptions for certain dual-citizens and certain minors. • A covered expatriate must pay the exit tax on all his global assets as if they had been sold on the day before expatriation at their fair market value. There is an exclusion of $600,000 from gross income and certain exclusions for IRAs, interest in nongrantor trusts, and U.S. qualified pension plans. The forms associated with expatriation are IRS Form 8854 and Form W-8CE (Notice of Expatriation and Waiver of Treaty Benefits). IRS has published a Guidance for Expatriates Under IRC Section 877A (exit tax) at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-09-85.pdf

10. LPR status versus U.S. citizenship • An LPR has different U.S. tax issues – estate taxes and more likely to be subject to abandonment. • LPR can be subject to “removal” formerly known as deportation, e.g. “aggravated felon” • U.S. citizenship is forever unless renounced or obtained by fraud

11. Residence concepts and Distinctions • U.S. estate taxes concerning residence for U.S. income tax purposes which is different for U.S. immigration purposes • Residence for U.S. estate and gift tax purposes is also different for U.S. immigration purposes • Practice Pointer – integrated analysis for U.S. tax and immigration purposes prior to the person’s arrival in the U.S. can afford significant planning opportunities and tax savings

12. Ethical Considerations Who is the client when there are individuals living in the U.S. on temporary work visas, LPRs aka “green cards”, U.S. citizens and other family members residing outside the U.S.?

13. Questions James D. Prappas Jackson Walker L.L.P. 1401 McKinney, Ste 1900 Houston, Texas 77010-4008 713-752-4298 - Tel 713-752-4221 - Fax jprappas@jw.com www.jw.com