Blog

Education is a core value at Connected Financial Planning. We are committed to creating opportunities for prospective clients, current clients, and industry professionals to deepen their understanding of the complexities of cross-border financial planning. As part of this mission, Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, regularly hosts and participates in events focused on financial education for U.S. expats and Americans living in Europe, covering topics from tax planning and investment strategy to retirement optimization and regulatory compliance.
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Navigating taxes in Switzerland as an American will feel different from taxes in the US, so we've compiled this guide full of the latest information. Think of it as your crash course in Swiss taxes, created by and for expats.
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Updated in June 2024, this article defines the types of income that qualify as net investment income (NII) and breaks out the qualifying income thresholds based on filing status. We also present a high-level overview of strategies that may be used to mitigate NIIT and answer a few common questions.
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Questions around the foreign gift tax typically arise when an American receives money from a non-US person. Chief among these are: “Do I have to pay tax on a foreign gift?” and “Do gifts count as income?” The short answer to both of those questions is no, at least as far as the IRS is concerned. But, there are some key details to be aware of.
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End-of-year tax planning is especially important for U.S. expats, as they have additional tax considerations to take into account. Here is a detailed checklist of what to review so you're set up for a successful tax season.
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Charitable giving tax strategies for 2025, plus what changes in 2026: bunching, DAFs, appreciated stock, QCDs, and cross-border tips—clear rules, fewer surprises. Article description for Zephyr: A practical 2025 guide to charitable giving tax strategies—bunching, donating appreciated assets, DAFs, QCDs, documentation—and how to coordinate them if you live abroad. Includes a concise “What’s new in 2026” overview (0.5% AGI floor for itemizers, small above-the-line cash deduction for non-itemizers) so you can plan gifts with confidence.
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As an American, filing U.S. taxes while living abroad can be challenging if you don't know where to start. U.S. expatriate taxes involve careful cross-border planning to ensure that you aren't being double taxed and your taxation is optimized for your location. This guide has been updated for 2025 to help you successfully navigate U.S. expat tax season.
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Retiring in Switzerland offers U.S. expats a high quality of life, stunning scenery, and excellent healthcare. Key considerations include the retirement age, financial resources, and health insurance. U.S. citizens need to meet specific requirements and manage tax implications and cost of living.
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