“In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” — Banjamin Franklin

For many of our clients living globally mobile lives, owning real estate in more than one country and managing wealth across borders, tax isn’t just a line item; it’s a landscape. One that shifts with every jurisdiction, every change in legislation, and every move you make.

As your life grows more international, so too does the complexity of managing your tax responsibilities. What once felt straightforward—paying tax where you live, on what you earn—becomes a web of questions:

  • Where am I considered tax resident?
  • Am I being taxed twice on the same income?
  • What happens if I sell that property abroad?
  • And how do I plan not just for this year, but for the decades to come?

This is where strategy replaces guesswork.

Real estate: the anchor and the variable
Property is often the cornerstone of wealth and for many global citizens, it’s held in more than one location. A holiday home in Europe. A family home in South Africa. An investment apartment in London or Dubai. These assets may be stable and appreciating, but they can also create layers of exposure to tax events across multiple jurisdictions.

Tax treatment on rental income, capital gains, inheritance, and property transfers differs drastically from country to country. Without a cohesive view, it’s easy to lose efficiency, sometimes without even realising it. Working with financial planners who understand the full picture can help you avoid double taxation and align your holdings with structures that support long-term goals.

Treaties and thresholds
Bilateral tax treaties are designed to ensure you’re not taxed twice on the same income, but their application can be very nuanced. Some treaties are generous. Others come with restrictions or require careful interpretation. We often work alongside our tax specialists or legal advisers to analyse how treaties apply to client holdings and ensure the planning is watertight.

Understanding tax thresholds, such as estate tax limits in the US, Canada or UK inheritance tax allowances, is also crucial when passing assets to the next generation. These are not just numbers, they are planning opportunities that, when handled well, can preserve significant value and reduce friction down the line.

Global tax planning isn’t about avoiding tax; it’s about managing it thoughtfully, transparently, and proactively. It’s about ensuring your financial plan works across borders and through generations, allowing you to move through life with more ease and less erosion.

At WellsFaber, we believe your wealth should serve your life, not complicate it. We help you step back, connect the dots, and bring structure to what can often feel like a maze of competing rules and requirements. By partnering with our network of cross-border professionals, we ensure that your global footprint works with you—not against you.

We advise, you thrive.