Clear up some myths about USA for me, please

[twostep]

Depending on where you own land in the US - strict covenants can regulate use of the land and buildings. Building code alone can be an expensive nightmare.

There is no actual double taxation between Germany and US but an income reporting system is in place. US residents have to file annual tax returns no matter where they reside and what their income is.

Contrary to common believe sale and ownership of firearms is tightly monitored. Consumers generally do not know a lot about reporting and back ground checks. Amongst others sale/ownership of certain firarms is prohibited to legal residents which are non-citizens. Some states require a permit with formal training to own a gun others are more lenient. Consider the difference longarm versus handgun - again different rules apply.
Some states consider a car part of a residence thus guns in the glove compartment are not considered "concealed". Check the small print - gun and amunition have to be seperate.

Yes - AK issues royalties to its legal residents after one year of permanent physical residency.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

The gun situation also varies by state. The Supreme Court just ruled that everyone has a right to own a gun in their home, but that doesn't mean you can carry it around with you. Concealed carry permits are the province of state and/or local regulations, which vary considerably.

Another thing to add on the gun thing on an expat forum is that the rules may also depend on your immigration status. State regulations can and do limit stuff to permanent residents and citizens.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by McIntosh

About the US tax:

I'm still not entirely clear on this.
Say I'm an American and I move to Germany. Here I get a job and am payed by the German company that I work for.
Does this mean that I pay tax from this income to the US IRS?
Is this a good thing or not?
US taxes are lower than German ones. But if you ALSO have to pay german taxes, then you migth as well not go live there.
So, this whole thing is either a very good deal - or a very bad deal...

Basically, it's a bad deal.

Per your example - as an American working in Germany, you have to file a tax return to declare your worldwide income no matter where you live. You also have to pay German income taxes, because you are "tax resident" in Germany.

On your US taxes you do get an "exclusion" on the first $80,000 or $90,000 of earned income (i.e. salary). That means you don't pay income tax on that amount - but they are fiddling around the with laws so that if you have income from other sources ("unearned income" - which includes any investment income, rents or benefits like unemployment) you pay a higher rate of tax on those items - though there are some provisions for taking a credit for taxes you pay on that same income to Germany.

If it sounds complicated, it is. And it is becoming harder and harder to give up your US nationality. If you do, and they suspect it is "for tax reasons" there are a number of penalties - including subjecting you to US taxes for an additional 10 years, and if you have lots of property, they can force you to declare a "paper sale" of all your property so that you have to pay the capital gains before they'll let you off the hook for US taxes.
Cheers,
Bev

[twostep]

Bev do you want to go into estate law for GC holder surviving spouses:>)

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by twostep

Bev do you want to go into estate law for GC holder surviving spouses:>)

No thanks - I'm having more than enough "fun" figuring out the French inheritance laws and how to protect myself when and if I become a surviving spouse over here!
Cheers,
Bev

[twostep]

The nut shell version - resident alien surviving spouse does not qualify for marital deduction of probated property. Give or take up to 40% tax are due:>(

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by twostep

The nut shell version - resident alien surviving spouse does not qualify for marital deduction of probated property. Give or take up to 40% tax are due:>(

Probably up there near the top of the list of reasons to naturalize for Westerners.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by twostep

The nut shell version - resident alien surviving spouse does not qualify for marital deduction of probated property. Give or take up to 40% tax are due:>(

I have a cousin married to a GC holder - though the GC holder is about 10 years older than his wife, so hopefully they won't have the problem. If she survives him, there's no problem for her to inherit with the full marital deduction.
Cheers,
Bev

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

Probably up there near the top of the list of reasons to naturalize for Westerners.

Depending, of course, on what your home country's policies are on taking another nationality. My cousin's husband doesn't want to give up his home nationality - but can't take US citizenship without losing his original.
Cheers,
Bev

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

Depending, of course, on what your home country's policies are on taking another nationality. My cousin's husband doesn't want to give up his home nationality - but can't take US citizenship without losing his original.
Cheers,
Bev

Yep -- for some nationalities it isn't possible or is difficult.