Cross-Border Wealth Planning
Calvin Thomas, CFP

U.S. Expat Planning Team

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

Navigate U.S. & Spanish
Tax with Confidence

Expert cross-border planning for Americans building their lives in Spain. Protect your wealth, minimize taxes, and stay fully compliant in both jurisdictions.

Calculate Your Risk Learn More
IRS-Compliant
Spanish Tax Experts
Bilingual Support
The Challenge

Living Between Two Tax Systems

As an American in Spain, you're navigating two complex tax regimes simultaneously — and making the wrong move can be costly.

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Hidden Penalties

PFIC taxes, Modelo 720 fines, and FBAR violations can result in penalties reaching 50% of account value.

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Double Taxation

Without proper planning, you could pay taxes on the same income in both countries — legally but unnecessarily.

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Compliance Confusion

Most CPAs and gestorías only know one side of the equation. Cross-border expertise is rare.

Our Services

Complete Cross-Border Solutions

We handle every aspect of U.S.-Spain tax and wealth planning so you can focus on living your best life in Europe.

Tax Planning & Filing

Comprehensive U.S. and Spanish tax preparation with optimization strategies

  • U.S. federal & state returns with Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
  • Spanish declaración de la renta with foreign tax credit coordination
  • Quarterly estimated tax calculations and payment coordination
  • Multi-year tax projection and scenario modeling

Compliance & Reporting

Stay fully compliant with all U.S. and Spanish disclosure requirements

  • FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA (Form 8938) filing
  • Spanish Modelo 720 preparation for foreign assets
  • PFIC reporting (Form 8621) for European investment accounts
  • Late filing assistance and penalty abatement support

Investment Strategy

Tax-efficient portfolio architecture for cross-border investors

  • PFIC-compliant investment selection and rebalancing
  • 401(k)/IRA rollover strategies to avoid Spanish penalties
  • Roth conversion analysis for tax-free Spanish retirement income
  • Coordination with U.S. and European brokers and advisors

Estate Planning

Protect your legacy across borders with dual-country estate architecture

  • Coordinated U.S. and Spanish wills to avoid probate conflicts
  • Trust structures for minimizing Spanish inheritance tax (up to 34%)
  • Beneficiary designations optimized for both jurisdictions
  • Power of attorney and healthcare directives in both languages
How It Works

Your Path to Cross-Border Clarity

We've designed a streamlined process to give you complete confidence in your cross-border financial life.

1

Discovery Call

We start with a free 30-minute consultation to understand your unique situation, assets, and goals across both countries.

2

Strategic Plan

We create a comprehensive roadmap addressing tax optimization, compliance requirements, and wealth preservation strategies.

3

Ongoing Support

Year-round service with quarterly check-ins, tax filing, and proactive planning adjustments as your life evolves.

Risk Assessment

Calculate Your Cross-Border Risk

Get a personalized assessment of your tax complexity and potential optimization opportunities in under 2 minutes.

$100K $500K $5M+
0% U.S. 70% U.S. 100% U.S.
$0 $250K $2M+
25 45 75
About Paratus USA

Cross-Border Expertise You Can Trust

Paratus USA was founded by Americans living in Spain who personally experienced the frustration of navigating two complex tax systems without proper guidance.

Today, we're a team of U.S. CPAs, Spanish tax advisors (gestorías), and cross-border wealth planners dedicated to helping Americans in Europe build and protect their wealth with confidence.

Unlike traditional advisors who only know one country's rules, we provide comprehensive planning that optimizes your entire financial picture across both jurisdictions.

500+
Clients Served
$450M
Assets Under Care
15+
Years Experience
98%
Client Satisfaction
FAQ

Common Questions

Do I really need to file U.S. taxes if I live in Spain?

Yes. As a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you must file U.S. tax returns regardless of where you live. This is true even if you owe no U.S. tax due to the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) or foreign tax credits. Failure to file can result in penalties and complications with passport renewals or renunciations.

What is Modelo 720 and why is it important?

Modelo 720 is Spain's declaration of foreign assets. If you're a Spanish tax resident with more than €50,000 in foreign bank accounts, investments, or real estate, you must file annually. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties (up to 150% of the undeclared amount), even for honest mistakes.

What are PFICs and how do they affect my investments?

Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs) are non-U.S. mutual funds and ETFs. The IRS taxes PFIC income at punitive rates (up to 50%+) and requires complex annual reporting (Form 8621). Most European investment accounts hold PFICs, making tax-efficient investing critical for Americans abroad.

How much does your service cost?

Our fees depend on the complexity of your situation. We offer comprehensive annual packages starting at $3,500 for tax filing and basic planning, up to $12,000+ for complex wealth management. We provide transparent, fixed-fee quotes after your discovery call — no surprises.

Can you help me with past unfiled tax returns?

Absolutely. We regularly help clients catch up on late filings through the IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures or Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures. These programs allow penalty relief for taxpayers with reasonable cause. The key is to file before the IRS contacts you.

Get Started

Book Your Free Consultation

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