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If you are a global family and are considering an investment in the United States, you may have questions about the U.S. tax rules. Through a series of 10 key questions, answers are provided to help the non-U.S. individual investor better understand the U.S. tax system. Other takeaways, including reporting obligations and privacy concerns, may help mitigate the unintended application of U.S. tax.

Millions of new jobs have been created since 2010, with unemployment close to its lowest level since the late 60s. Though the U.S. has experienced one of the longest economic expansions ever, wage growth has been modest. Technological innovation and the impact of the Great Recession has altered labor market dynamics.

Most companies begin life small and take on private investors as a means of enhancing growth through capital buildout or expanding marketing efforts. If successful, founders of the company or newer investors may decide to monetize the value they have created, or realize that access to more diversified funding is required.

For most goals driven wealth management clients, meeting annual lifestyle needs is the top priority. This core lifestyle goal is funded by a dynamic asset allocation of risk-control assets within the Portfolio Reserve and risk assets, designed to protect annual lifestyle spending during times of market distress. This paper discusses its design, benefits, and the decision on when to activate it.

The latest escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, caused by an alleged Iranian attack on an oil tanker in the volatile Strait of Hormuz, adds to a growing list of geopolitical hotspots around the world. With an unpredictable U.S. president that hasn’t confronted a direct military threat and one might conclude it has the makings of a risky period ahead for financial markets. What does history reveal about the impact of geopolitical stress on economic growth and financial market performance?

In order to simplify the wealth structure and investment vehicle, many high-net-worth families collectively pool the assets of individual family members to form a legal partnership entity. The resulting economies of scale can lead to significant fee savings, as well as open the door to a larger universe of investment choices for smaller accounts. When deciding the type of partnership structure to form—a limited partnership or a limited liability corporation—there are some best practices and investment options to consider in the process.

There has been much discussion regarding the Qualified Opportunity Zone program established via the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017 because of potential tax advantages. This program aims to incent long-term private sector investment in low-income communities nationwide while allowing investors to potentially defer and partially reduce capital gains tax by investing capital gain amounts (or a portion) in Qualified Opportunity Zone (“QOZ”) through a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund.

The IRS released its second set of proposed regulations under Internal Revenue Code, Section 1400Z-2, Special rules for capital gains invested in opportunity zones. While some questions remain unanswered, it provided much needed guidance for investors, fund managers, developers, and sponsors pertaining to qualified opportunity zone business property, the treatment of tangible leased property, Section 1231 gain, the 90-percent asset test, and more. The guidance is generally taxpayer-friendly and provides the flexibility that businesses and investors were seeking.

Contrary to the benefit that investors have historically achieved with corporate private equity investments, private real estate funds have generally not succeeded in delivering a return premium. Yet there remains significant momentum in institutional capital targeting private equity real estate, especially value-add and opportunistic strategies. History shows that REITs have been an attractive way to make an allocation to real estate, with relatively lower-risk business models that have produced superior returns to the average private fund over full market cycles.