McGowin Tax

10/11/2026

Filed your FBAR? You may still need Form 8938. The rules overlap, but one filing doesn’t replace the other.

Unsure what applies to your foreign investments? Submit an inquiry through the link in our bio.

10/08/2026

Spent thousands launching a business? Those expenses may not be deductible when you expect. When operations begin—and what you paid for—matters.

Starting a business abroad? Submit an inquiry through the link in our bio.

10/05/2026

Thinking about renting out part of your home-or eventually moving into a rental property you own abroad? 🏠

The order in which you use that property can make a surprisingly big difference when tax time comes.

In Alex's newest video, he breaks down mixed-use and converted property rules, including:

✅ Rental income and deductions
✅ Depreciation
✅ Section 121 home sale exclusions
✅ Rental-to-home conversions
✅ Home-to-rental conversions
✅ Depreciation recapture and passive losses

He also walks through examples showing why turning a rental into your home doesn't necessarily receive the same tax treatment as turning your home into a rental.

If foreign property is part of your long-term plan, this is one you'll want to understand before making the move.

📺Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/Q9xrn0OcjuM

📚Read the article: https://mcgowintax.com/articles/mixed-use-and-converted-properties-how-renting-out-your-home-changes-what-you-owe-at-sale

Renting part of your home or converting a rental into a residence? How the tax rules split your gain at sale - and why the sequence of those years matters.

10/04/2026

Own a foreign company with other U.S. owners? You may be able to avoid duplicate filing costs by having one eligible owner file Form 5471 on behalf of others.

Need help keeping compliance costs reasonable? Submit an inquiry through the link in our bio.

10/03/2026

Married to a nonresident spouse? You may qualify for head of household—and a lower U.S. tax bill—if you meet the requirements.

Unsure which filing status applies? Submit an inquiry through the link in our bio.

09/29/2026

Earn too much to contribute directly to a Roth IRA? A backdoor Roth may provide another path—but taxes and the pro-rata rule can complicate the strategy.

Need help determining whether it makes sense for you? Submit an inquiry through the link in our bio.

09/29/2026

Thinking about buying property in France and using it as part of your visa strategy?

Simply purchasing a home or investment property usually isn’t enough.

In this conversation, Daniel explains why France is looking for an active business idea - and why something like a bed and breakfast or wedding venue may be viewed very differently from a passive vacation rental.

If France is on your list, this is an important distinction to understand before making a major investment.

Guest Details

Daniel Tostado
French & U.S. Immigration Attorney
Founder, Tostado Avocat

Daniel assists individuals with French immigration, visa renewals, residency, citizenship, and relocation.

🌐Website: https://www.danieltostado.com/

🌐Coming soon: tostadoavocat.com

📺Watch the full episode of Talking Expat Taxes: https://youtu.be/D9HJVPiyFH0

🧾Read the transcript: https://mcgowintax.com/podcast/moving-to-france-from-the-us-visas-residency-and-taxes

09/28/2026

Dreaming about moving to France?

Before you start packing, there's an important distinction to understand: Immigration residency and tax residency aren't necessarily the same thing.

In the newest episode of Talking Expat Taxes, Alex sits down with French and U.S. immigration attorney Daniel Tostado to talk through what Americans actually need to know about moving to France.

They cover:

Long-stay visitor visas
💼 Entrepreneur and Talent Passport visas
💻 Remote work and teleworking
🏡 Buying property in France
🏦 Opening a French bank account
🩺 Healthcare and retirement
💰 French tax residency
👨‍👩‍👧 Moving with a spouse or family
📄 Long-term residency and citizenship

They also discuss an important recent clarification regarding remote work for non-French companies while living in France.

About the Guest
Daniel Tostado is an immigration attorney licensed in both New York and France. His firm helps individuals navigate French visas, residency, citizenship, and relocation.

🌐Website: https://www.danieltostado.com/

🌐Coming soon: tostadoavocat.com

📺Watch the full episode of Talking Expat Taxes: https://youtu.be/D9HJVPiyFH0

🧾Read the transcript: https://mcgowintax.com/podcast/moving-to-france-from-the-us-visas-residency-and-taxes

Moving to France from the US? Attorney Daniel Tostado explains visitor, entrepreneur & Talent Passport visas, telework rules, and tax residency.

09/28/2026

Moving abroad doesn’t automatically end your state tax residency. Your intent, documentation, and remaining ties to the state can all matter.

Planning a move—or unsure whether you properly broke residency? Submit an inquiry through the link in our bio.

09/21/2026

Could an FBAR mistake be considered willful even if you weren't intentionally trying to hide anything from the IRS? 👀

A current court case involving missed foreign bank account reporting gives us an interesting look at where the IRS may draw the line between an innocent reporting mistake and reckless behavior.

In Alex's newest video, he breaks down the case and, more importantly, what U.S. taxpayers with foreign accounts can do to protect themselves.

✅ Hire the right professional
✅ Provide complete information
✅ Ask questions when something isn't clear
✅ Review your filings before they go out

👁️‍🗨️Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/Z00MHwjtCM0

👀Read article: https://mcgowintax.com/articles/willful-or-just-a-mistake-what-an-ongoing-fbar-case-teaches-expats-about-protecting-themselves

A new FBAR case shows how the IRS can call an honest filing mistake willful - and the three practical steps that keep you on the right side of that line.