Podcast thumbnail for Tax4Us Weekly

Tax4Us Weekly

Claim This Podcast

by Ben Ginati

4 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Overview

Your weekly guide to tax planning and strategies for small business owners. Get practical, actionable advice on maximizing deductions, staying compliant, and making smart tax decisions. Hosted by Tax4Us LLC, the Texas-based tax experts who understand the challenges of running a small business. New episodes every Thursday.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

11/9/2025

1 verified contact email on file for Tax4Us Weekly

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for FBAR Filing Deadline — What Israeli-Americans Need to Know

May 15, 2026

FBAR Filing Deadline — What Israeli-Americans Need to Know

FBAR deadline June 30, 2026. No extensions. We help Israeli-Americans with cross-border tax compliance at TAX4US.

Episode thumbnail for March 20, 2026

February 25, 2026

March 20, 2026

Here is a 10-15 minute podcast script for Tax4US on the impact of tax law changes on gifts and inheritances between Israel and the US: Intro (1-2 mins): Emma: Welcome to the Tax4US podcast! I'm your host, Emma, and today we have a special episode on the impact of tax law changes on gifts and inheritances between Israel and the United States. Joining me is Ben Ginati, a leading tax expert who specializes in cross-border tax planning. Welcome, Ben. Ben: Thank you, Emma. I'm excited to discuss this important and complex topic with you and our listeners today. As you know, the rules around estate planning and wealth transfer can be tricky, especially when you're dealing with two different tax systems like the US and Israel. But there are also some really valuable opportunities if you understand how to navigate it all. Emma: Absolutely, this is an area that a lot of people struggle with. I know I certainly did when my family started talking about estate planning and passing assets between the two countries. So let's dive right in - what are some of the key changes we need to know about on the US side? Segment 1 - Changes to the US Estate and Gift Tax Exemption (2-3 mins): Ben: Well, the big news is that the estate and gift tax exemption in the US has nearly doubled in recent years. In 2017, the exemption was $5.49 million per person. But starting in 2018, it jumped to $11.18 million and has continued to rise with inflation, reaching $12.06 million per person in 2022. Emma: Wow, that's a massive increase. I remember when the exemption was just a few million dollars. So what does this mean for families? Ben: It opens up a lot of planning opportunities, but also requires more careful estate planning to maximize the benefits. Let me use an analogy that might help explain it. Imagine the estate and gift tax exemption is like climbing a mountain - the higher the peak, the more room you have to maneuver. Before 2018, the mountain was only about 5,500 feet tall. Now it's over 12,000 feet! That gives families a lot more space to strategically transfer wealth without triggering US estate or gift taxes. Emma: I see, so you have a much bigger "sandbox" to play in when it comes to gifting and passing on assets. But I imagine there are still some important rules and considerations, right? Ben: Absolutely. And that's where the US-Israel tax treaty comes into play. Understanding how that fits into the picture is crucial. Segment 2 - The US-Israel Tax Treaty (2-3 mins): Ben: The US-Israel tax treaty is a critical piece of the puzzle. It establishes the rules for how estates and gifts are taxed when assets are transferred between the two countries. The key principles are: - Assets located in the US are subject to US estate/gift tax rules - Assets located in Israel are subject to Israeli estate/gift tax rules - To prevent double taxation, a credit is available for taxes paid in one country against the liability in the other. Emma: Okay, that makes sense. So it's really about coordinating the tax treatment on both sides. But I'm guessing that can get pretty complex, especially with all the reporting requirements involved. Segment 3 - Reporting Requirements: FBAR and FATCA (2-3 mins) Ben: You're absolutely right. There are two main reporting obligations that come into play - FBAR and FATCA. FBAR requires US citizens and residents to report foreign bank and financial accounts if the total value exceeds $10,000. FATCA, on the other hand, requires foreign financial institutions to identify and report on accounts held by US persons. Emma: I remember when FATCA first came out - it caused a lot of confusion and headaches for people with cross-border financial holdings. What kind of penalties are we talking about for non-compliance? Ben: The penalties can be pretty severe, unfortunately. Failure to file an FBAR can result in fines of up to $12,000 per violation, plus potential criminal charges. And FATCA non-compliance can trigger penalties of

Episode thumbnail for Navigating the Complexities of Cross-Border Retirement Planning: Optimizing Tax Strategies for Israeli-Americans

February 10, 2026

Navigating the Complexities of Cross-Border Retirement Planning: Optimizing Tax Strategies for Israeli-Americans

Here is a 10-15 minute podcast script for Tax4US: Intro (1 min) Emma: Welcome to the Tax4US podcast, where we dive deep into the complexities of cross-border tax planning for Israelis and Americans. I'm your host, Emma, and today we have a special guest - Ben Ginati, a leading tax expert specializing in the unique challenges faced by Israeli-Americans. Ben, thanks for joining us. Ben: It's my pleasure to be here, Emma. As an Israeli-American myself, I know firsthand the intricacies of navigating the tax systems of both countries, and I'm excited to share my insights with our listeners. Segment 1: Reporting Requirements for Israelis-Americans (3 mins) Emma: Let's start with one of the key compliance obligations for Israelis-Americans - the requirement to report foreign bank accounts to the IRS. Can you tell us more about this rule and the potential penalties for non-compliance? Ben: Absolutely. Under IRC Section 6038D, US citizens and green card holders must report any foreign financial accounts that exceed $50,000 for an individual or $200,000 for a married couple. This is done through the FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) form, which must be filed annually by April 15th. The penalties for failing to comply can be severe, ranging from $12,400 to $124,000 per violation. And with increased IRS enforcement in recent years, the stakes are higher than ever. Israelis-Americans need to be vigilant about meeting this reporting requirement. Emma: That's a significant risk. What are some best practices you would recommend for Israelis-Americans to stay compliant? Ben: The key is to be proactive and work closely with a tax professional who specializes in cross-border issues. They can help ensure all the proper forms are filed on time and that you're taking advantage of any available exemptions or exclusions. Segment 2: Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (3 mins) Emma: Another important tax provision for Israelis-Americans is the foreign earned income exclusion under IRC Section 911. Can you explain how this works and what the requirements are? Ben: The foreign earned income exclusion is a valuable tool for Israelis-Americans living in Israel. It allows them to exclude up to $112,000 (as of 2026) of their foreign-earned income from US federal income tax. To qualify, they must meet the "bona fide residence test" or the "physical presence test," which essentially means they need to be outside the US for at least 330 days in a 12-month period. They also have to file Form 2555 with the IRS annually. Failing to meet these requirements can result in significant US tax liability, so it's critical that Israelis-Americans work closely with their tax advisor to ensure they're fully compliant. Emma: That's a really important benefit, but also a complex set of rules to navigate. What are some common pitfalls you see Israelis-Americans encounter with this provision? Ben: One of the biggest challenges is documenting their time spent outside the US. The IRS is increasingly scrutinizing these claims, so Israelis-Americans need to meticulously track their travel and maintain detailed records. Errors or omissions can quickly lead to problems. Segment 3: Passive Income and Investments (3 mins) Emma: Another area that requires careful attention is the treatment of passive income and investments. How do Israelis-Americans need to approach this? Ben: Passive income, such as interest, dividends, and capital gains, is a prime example of the complex interplay between the US and Israeli tax systems. These types of income are generally subject to reporting and taxation requirements in both countries. For example, capital gains realized on the sale of an asset in Israel must be reported on the US tax return, even if the gain has already been taxed in Israel, per IRC Section 861. Conversely, interest and dividends from Israeli mutual funds may be exempt from US tax under certain circumstances. Navigating these nuances requires a deep understanding of b

4 total episodes available

Deep-dive analytics for Tax4Us Weekly

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Tax4Us Weekly?

Your weekly guide to tax planning and strategies for small business owners. Get practical, actionable advice on maximizing deductions, staying compliant, and making smart tax decisions. Hosted by Tax4Us LLC, the Texas-based tax experts who understand the challenges of running a small business. New episodes every Thursday.

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.