We hope you enjoyed the web presentation presented by Cerity Partners which focused on the unique financial planning opportunities and challenges facing individuals and families with ties to both the United States and France.

 

Whether you are a U.S. citizen living in France or a French national residing in the United States, managing wealth across two separate financial, tax, and legal systems requires careful coordination, and when combined, these can create both complexity and opportunity.

 

In this presentation, the Top 10 Smart Wealth Moves were outlined to help globally-mobile families align their financial lives on both sides of the Atlantic. The speakers discussed strategies for minimizing tax exposure, investing effectively within cross border regulatory limits, and structuring estate plans that respect both U.S. and French legal frameworks.

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Key Takeaways from the Webinar

• Clarify tax residency early. Understand where you are considered tax-resident under both U.S. and French law, and how the U.S.–France income tax treaty allocates taxing rights.

• Leverage the treaty strategically. Articles 18 and 24 of the treaty can significantly reduce taxation on dividends, pensions, and investment income when applied correctly.

• Coordinate retirement accounts. Align 401(k), IRA, and Roth strategies with French taxation to preserve deferral, avoid premature taxation, and, in some cases, tax-free growth in France.

• Avoid PFIC pitfalls. Most French mutual funds and SICAVs are considered PFICs under U.S. law. Favor U.S.-domiciled funds or managed accounts to stay compliant and tax-efficient.

• Plan ahead for French wealth tax. Understand how real estate holdings, ownership structures, and debt allocation affect your exposure.

• Integrate estate and succession plans. Use EU Regulation 650/2012 to elect U.S. state law in your will if appropriate, while accounting for French forced-heirship and inheritance-tax rules.

• Manage currency and banking complexity. Use multi-currency custodians and coordinate transfers to reduce exchange-rate and reporting friction.

• Build a cross-border advisory team. Coordinate your U.S. and French CPA, notaire, and wealth advisor so tax filings, estate documents, and investment implementation remain consistent across jurisdictions.

Let’s Discuss Your Personal Strategy

Every family’s situation is unique. Whether you are a U.S. citizen living in France, a French national in the United States, or someone preparing to relocate, we can help you design a coordinated plan that integrates:

• Global investment management within U.S. and EU regulatory limits
• Cross-border tax optimization and treaty implementation
• Estate and wealth-transfer planning across legal systems

We are offering a complimentary consultation to help you review your situation and identify opportunities to simplify, protect, and grow your wealth internationally.

To schedule a session, please contact me directly at apilajevs@ceritypartners.com.

We look forward to continuing the conversation and helping you make informed, strategic financial decisions on both sides of the Atlantic.


Andrejs Pilajevs, CFP®, MSFP
Principal | Wealth Advisor
Cerity Partners
1900 Campus Commons Dr #500, Reston, VA 20191
O: (415) 671-4145 | M: (571) 267-4968
apilajevs@ceritypartners.com
ceritypartners.com