Investing abroad allows you to diversify your money and make it work for you. It also gives you a variety of investment options, but where do taxes come into the mix? As with any financial decision, you must have all the facts before you make your move. 

If you're uncertain about the amount you might owe for your tax contribution regarding your offshore investment, consulting a lawyer is an excellent place to start, believe the Canadian Tax Amnesty. 

What's an Offshore Account?

From a US tax perspective, an offshore account is one that a person has outside of the United States. This doesn't necessarily make it an international tax haven, such as those in Bermuda offshore and the Bahamas. Accounts in India, Japan, and Africa can also be offshore. 

Benefits of Investing Abroad 

The point is not to evade taxes, but rather gain as much as you can from working in tandem with them. One of the main advantages is the security it provides. Many economies around the world lack the stability needed for safe investments. 

The currency is also a factor in choosing to invest abroad. If the economy in one's own country collapses, having your money tied up abroad is an excellent way to keep it safe. It also gives the investor more options moving forward.

This doesn't exempt anyone from paying taxes, however. The IRS still requires Americans to file an FBAR form for any amounts exceeding $10,000 held in a foreign bank account. 

The Management of an Offshore Investment

One of the first things many people ask is whether or not offshore accounts are legal. The short answer is yes. Most of the confusion comes from reporting your investments to the IRS. 

One of the main pitfalls comes when a US citizen doesn't comply with the regulations set out by the IRS concerning reporting of accounts held abroad. Knowing the structure of these accounts will allow you to remain tax compliant. 

Master/Feeder Fund 

This kind of structure allows a hedge fund manager to manage a wide range of different investors simultaneously. The master fund, which operates as an offshore corporation, is engaged in various types of trading. 

The hedge fund manager combines all the money and feeds it into the master fund. They allocate the gains and losses to the offshore accounts; each fund receives their share according to the percentage of assets they own.

US Tax Exemption for Investors

The typical investor that partakes in international hedge funds put together like a corporation is generally foreign investors and US tax-exempt entities. Offshore investment is much more attractive to US tax-exempt investors as they might be taxed in the US if they invest in US-based hedge funds. 

Individual Investors 

At times, international hedge funds operate as partnerships for US tax purposes. A partnership is a relationship between two or more people who trade or do business. This is usually to attract US individual investors to engage in the master/feeder fund arrangement. 

Requirements for Reporting

Every partnership is required to file a return, but the specific rules can be a little confusing. The IRS lists some information concerning the responsibilities of citizens. 

The rules are different for foreign partnerships. They're not required to file a return for a taxable year unless the gross income comes from a source within the United States. 

State Tax 

Although most offshore hedge funds don't have state concerns, some might require partnerships to file return taxes if they live within that state's jurisdictional area. This could be the case even if the source of the income is not US-based. 

In Conclusion

If you would like to keep some money aside for a rainy day, investments abroad could help you do it. Remain vigilant about where you invest abroad and stay informed as to the tax requirements in your country.