Client Case study #2

Jason and Sarah Rigby, 45

High Net Worth Software Engineer Aussie Couple Living in the US

Primary Goals:

• Extricate family from the US prior to being exposed to the HEART Act and a huge exit tax from the US.
  
• Move to New Zealand and get set up with a financial team there
  
• Manage global holdings in a low-cost, tax-efficient and coordinated manner
  

The Challenge

Jason and Sarah are a high net worth couple enjoying life in the US with their family. They had no firm plans to move until they found out they would be exposed to a steep US exit tax if they stayed beyond the end of the year.

The Approach

Jason and Sarah weren’t sure where to begin, which is why they pursued professional help from a specialized cross-border financial planner. They’re busy and the stakes were high enough they called on us to help make their move go as smoothly as possible. They don’t want to get bogged down trying to figure everything out on their own and take the risk of being incorrect given the value at stake.

The Results

• After reviewing their assets in more detail, we discovered Jason had low basis assets in a global software company and would have been exposed to significant capital gains taxes had he stayed in the US long enough for the US exit tax to apply.
  
• We put together a team including a US tax attorney, US immigration attorney, US CPA, New Zealand based financial planner and a New Zealand-based CPA and made their family’s transition as smooth as possible.
  
• We set up a multi-currency investment solution which allowed them to buy their dream house in Auckland using their US portfolio as leverage, while obtaining the lowest cost foreign exchange.
  

Note: The above case study is hypothetical and does not involve an actual Areté Wealth Strategists client. No portion of the content should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience the same or certain level of results or satisfaction if Areté Wealth Strategists is engaged to provide investment advisory services.