• Over 200 years of combined escrow experience
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• Established independent and licensed Escrow Company with
branches in 7 locations
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for EB-5 transactions
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Granite Escrow Services is an Independent Escrow Company, licensed by the California Department of Business Oversight (DBO # 9632535)
Continued from page 39
Pre-immigration tax planning should begin as soon as possible. Because many of the strategies described above require
maneuvering that takes time and coordination, the process
should be started at least six months before the investor plans
on making her investment, if not sooner.
Conclusion
Although no EB-5 investor will be able to avoid taxes altogether, as she must prove a desire to permanently reside in the
United States to obtain her green card, some pre-immigration
tax preparation can mitigate the payment of unnecessary
taxes. EB-5 investors are often very familiar with the benefits
of permanent residency and citizenship, but these benefits are
balanced with responsibility—paying taxes being among the
chief requirements. Without tax revenue, the U.S. government
would not be able to provide services that make the country so
appealing to investors; infrastructure that supports business development and public education are two notable products of tax
revenue. Nonetheless, investors are not expected to pay more
than what they are legally obligated to pay, and tax planning
can ensure that investors are making a fair contribution. This
preparation can help balance the investors’ tax minimization
interests with their immigration and business interests, allowing
them to get their green cards and pay the least amount of tax
necessary. While it may seem inconvenient in the short-term,
consulting a tax professional can save an EB-5 investor hassle,
40
time, and money during a future in the United States and will
help them understand the contribution that they are making to
the country.
★
Mark Ivener
Mark Ivener has focused on immigration law for the past 35
years, and is a founding partner
of Ivener & Fullmer, a global
immigration law firm that assists
with all business-related immigration matters. He is also the
founder of the Alliance of Business and Immigration lawyers, as well as the National Consortium
of Immigration Law Firms, and is the only immigration lawyer to be named a Top 100 Wealth
Advisers and Managers by Citywealth Magazine.
The Wolfe Law Group represents U.S. taxpayers
for IRS tax audits, U.S. investors who have
international investments, and foreign persons
who invest in the United States. We have over
30 years of experience, specializing in IRS tax
audits and international tax matters, including
international tax planning/tax
compliance, and international
asset protection. For more information, please visit our website,
http://gswlaw.com.
E B 5 I n v e s to r s M ag a z i n e
Gary Wolfe