About tecolote

Status:

Considering a Move Abroad 

Currently Lives:

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Mexico: U.S. brokerages and mail forwarding services:

Anyone had problems using using a mail forwarding service to satisfy U.S. brokerages that you reside in the U.S.? Anyone with experience with problems like this?

Costa Rica: Concerned about CAJA 13% premium:

Is it correct now that CR requires all permanent residents to pay 13% of their incomes for CAJA insurance (whether they want this or not)? Does anyone know whether this means 13% of a couple's total annual income -- even if all of this income comes from outside CR? Do you have to pay 13% of all income -- including SS, pensions, investments, etc.? Many thanks for clarifying!

Costa Rica: Worried about customs duty $$:

My wife and I are thinking of moving to Costa Rica, but we feel blocked by what we've read about importing our personal possessions and the amount we might be changed in customs duty. Does Costa Rica have no equivalent to Mexico's blanket permission for expat residents that allows them to bring into Mexico all of their household effects, without being charged duty on them? Can anyone who has moved to Costa Rica share your experience with us? Our main concern has to do with our musical instruments. We are both dedicated amateurs, and own a variety of instruments, some expensive -- for example, a 150-year-old cello. If we have to pay import duty on these, that would very likely rule out moving to CR!.... Thanks for any concrete information, as detailed as you're willing to share!

Mexico: When expats have to pay MX income tax:

Could anyone explain when U.S. expats who reside permanently in Mexico and *do not* have any Mexican-derived income are required to pay Mexican income tax? I've seen several statements online that say any foreign resident in Mexico has to pay Mexican income tax regardless the source of the income, from whatever country. Do U.S. expats who live permanently in Mexico just tell the Mexican authorities that they *really* are permanent residents in the U.S., and therefore don't have to pay income tax to Mexico? I know there is a reciprocal tax agreement between the U.S. and Mexico, so you can get U.S. credit against taxes paid to Mexico. But I definitely don't want to be saddled every year with filing tax returns to two countries. One is bad enough.

Mexico: banking,brokerage, & filing taxes while living in MX:

My wife and I are planning to retire in Mexico (Chapala or San Miguel) and would welcome practical advice how to accomplish some basic financial tasks, in particular: - how to set up our banking so deposits to our U.S. bank can most easily be transferred to a bank in MX, and how expats convert what they need to pesos - how to continue to do business with a U.S. brokerage (e.g., Fidelity or Vanguard) -- Do we need to use a "make-believe" U.S. address, such as a mail-forwarding service? (I think I may have read that U.S. brokerages can't offer services to permanent residents of other countries, even if they are U.S. citizens. But this may be wrong.) - how to file and pay estimated taxes from MX, given the unreliability and lack of security of snail mail; and how to file U.S. annual tax returns that are accompanied by payment - any other suggestions about how to cope with everyday financial transactions while living in MX Many thanks for any recommendations!

Date Joined:

3/17/2013

Total Posts:

21

Posts/Day:

0.01