hTTi

Sorry for your loss navigating this across two systems adds a layer of complexity most people don’t expect. What you’re dealing with here is not just an inheritance reporting question, but a cross-border structuring decision, especially given the mix of life insurance and a 401k. A few points that a...

The challenge here is less about finding a “Steuerberater” and more about finding the right cross-border capability. Most German Steuerberater: • Do not handle US filings (FBAR, Form 8938, etc.) • Focus on German compliance only • Are not set up for ongoing US–Germany coordination On the other side,...

This situation usually gets framed incorrectly as a “totalization agreement issue,” but that’s only one part of it. What you’re dealing with is a combination of: 1. Social security coverage (US vs. Germany) The 5-year limit under the Totalization Agreement is tied to remaining in the US system via a...