Paratus USA | Cross-Border Planning BGAN Supervised
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Calvin Thomas, CFP

U.S. Expat Planning Team

Led by Calvin Thomas, CFP® / Cross-Border Specialist

Cross-border
planning for
Americans in
Europe.

Map your U.S. assets to your European life. Identify decision intersections before they become problems. Enter planning conversations prepared.

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Dual-Licensed Advisors
SEC Registered
Fiduciary Standard

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The Cross-Border Planning Triad

Three planning pillars that intersect in every American expat's wealth picture.

Tax Coordination

Understanding how dual-jurisdiction filing requirements intersect with your asset decisions IRS and host country tax authorities, treaty provisions, timing considerations, and reporting compliance.

  • Treaty optimization awareness (U.S.-Spain, etc.)
  • FBAR, FATCA, and local reporting requirements
  • Retirement account distribution planning
  • Social Security coordination strategies

Portfolio Architecture

How investment structure affects cross-border taxation avoiding PFIC treatment, managing currency exposure, and maintaining tax-efficient diversification across jurisdictions.

  • PFIC-compliant investment structure
  • U.S. retirement account rollover considerations
  • Currency risk management (EUR/USD)
  • Tax-loss harvesting in dual jurisdictions

Estate Coordination

Cross-border succession planning that addresses inheritance rules in both jurisdictions dual wills, beneficiary designations, trust structures, and power of attorney considerations.

  • Dual will coordination (U.S. & host country)
  • Cross-border trust considerations
  • Beneficiary designation review
  • Power of attorney in both jurisdictions

Our Approach

Planning first, relationship led, built for Americans navigating Europe.

1

Discovery

Complete financial inventory, tax return analysis, and cross-border risk assessment.

2

Strategy

Customized planning architecture covering tax, portfolio, and estate considerations.

3

Implementation

Execute plan coordinating U.S. advisors, local tax professionals, and custodians.

4

Stewardship

Quarterly reviews, proactive regulatory adjustments, and continuous monitoring.

Technology Enhanced Planning

The WealthFlow™ platform integrates real-time compliance tracking, scenario modeling, and planning analytics across U.S. and European jurisdictions.

  • Real Time Scenario Modeling

    Test retirement withdrawal strategies, Roth conversions, property purchase timing, and repatriation scenarios before making any moves.

  • Compliance Dashboard

    Track FBAR, FATCA, and local country filing deadlines in one place. Stay ahead of reporting requirements.

  • Cross Border Planning Views

    See how decisions in one jurisdiction affect your planning picture in the other - before execution, not after.

Fiduciary Standard & Regulatory Oversight

Paratus USA operates under the supervision of BGAN Global Advisors, ensuring institutional-grade compliance and fiduciary standards.

SEC Registered

Operating as an investment adviser under U.S. securities regulations.

Fiduciary Duty

Legally obligated to act in your best interest at all times.

Cross-Border Expertise

U.S. CFP® professionals coordinating with European tax specialists.

Meet Your Advisor

Your Planning Partner

Calvin Thomas - Senior Partner at Paratus Wealth

Calvin Thomas

Senior Partner & Investment Advisor Representative

Calvin is a Senior Partner at Paratus Wealth with over 20 years of international wealth management experience advising high-net-worth individuals and families. He is a Series 65–qualified US Investment Adviser, specialising in assisting US-connected clients with cross-border planning and long-term investment strategy.

Previously, Calvin held senior leadership and founding partner roles within established international wealth management firms, where he played a key role in building businesses, advising clients across multiple jurisdictions, and shaping long-term strategic direction. He brings deep technical expertise, strategic leadership, and a client-focused approach to Paratus Wealth.

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Book Your Free Consultation

Let's discuss your unique situation and create a plan to optimize your cross-border wealth. No obligation, no pressure.

We'll respond within 1 business day. Your information is kept strictly confidential.

Planning conversations typically begin with $500K+ in investable assets

Common Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most from Americans living in - or moving to Europe.

Yes. The U.S. is one of only two countries that taxes based on citizenship, not residency. As a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you are required to file a federal tax return every year regardless of where you live. You may also have additional reporting obligations such as FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA (Form 8938) if you hold financial accounts outside the U.S. Proper planning can help you avoid double taxation through treaty provisions and foreign tax credits.
A Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) is any non-U.S. investment fund - including common European mutual funds and ETFs. The IRS imposes punitive tax rates on PFICs, often resulting in effective tax rates of 40–50% or more on gains. If you hold European-domiciled funds, you may be unknowingly triggering these penalties. We help structure your portfolio with PFIC-compliant alternatives that work across both jurisdictions.
Yes, you can generally keep your U.S. retirement accounts. However, how they are taxed in your country of residence varies significantly. Some countries recognize U.S. retirement accounts under tax treaties, while others may tax growth annually rather than at withdrawal. Strategic rollover decisions, Roth conversion timing, and distribution planning become critical to avoid unnecessary tax in either jurisdiction.
Planning conversations typically begin at $500K in investable assets. This is the level where cross-border complexity usually justifies dedicated advisory support. However, if you're planning a move or have specific compliance concerns, we're happy to have an introductory conversation to assess whether our services are a fit for your situation.
In most cases, yes. A U.S. will may not be recognized or enforceable in your European country of residence, and European succession laws (such as forced heirship rules) can override your intentions if not properly addressed. We coordinate dual-will strategies with legal counsel in both jurisdictions to ensure your estate plan works seamlessly across borders.
Most U.S. advisors don't understand European tax systems, and most European advisors don't understand U.S. reporting obligations. We specialize exclusively in cross-border planning for Americans in Europe. Our team holds U.S. CFP® credentials, operates under SEC-registered fiduciary standards through BGAN Global Advisors, and coordinates directly with local European tax professionals in your country of residence.
The WealthFlow Dashboard is a free, self-guided planning orientation tool. It helps you see where your U.S. assets intersect with your European life - mapping complexity, identifying planning dimensions, and highlighting priority areas. It's educational, not advisory, and requires no login or personal information. Think of it as a starting point to understand your cross-border planning picture before deciding whether to engage in a formal planning conversation.
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