U.S.–Korea Estate Tax Planning
“I want to protect my family and assets — without unexpected estate or inheritance taxes in either country.”
List of Services
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1. Service OverviewList Item 1
The U.S. and Korea have completely different estate and inheritance tax systems.
The U.S. taxes the estate of the decedent, while Korea taxes the heir receiving the inheritance.
Residency rules, asset location, and citizenship all affect how much tax is owed — and to which country.
U.S.–Korea Estate Tax Planning helps you structure your assets, gifts, and inheritance strategy to minimize tax exposure, avoid double taxation, and ensure a smooth transfer of wealth across borders.
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2. Common Questions or ConcernsList Item 2
Clients often ask:
- “If I live in the U.S., do my Korean assets get taxed when I pass away”
- “Do my children in Korea owe inheritance tax on U.S. assets”
- “How do U.S. estate tax and Korean inheritance tax interact”
- “Do I need to worry about gift tax in both countries”
- “How do I avoid double taxation on cross‑border inheritance”
- “Should I use a trust, entity, or direct ownership”
- “What happens if I move between countries later”
These questions are extremely common — and the answers depend on precise residency and asset‑location rules.
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3. What We Do for YouList Item 3
We help you build a coordinated estate plan that works in both countries.
✔ Determine Estate & Inheritance Tax Exposure
- U.S. estate tax residency rules
- Korean inheritance tax residency rules
- Worldwide vs situs‑based taxation
- Cross‑border asset classification
✔ Analyze Taxation of Each Asset Type
- U.S. real estate
- Korean real estate
- U.S. brokerage accounts
- Korean securities and pension accounts
- Business ownership (U.S. or Korea)
- Life insurance and retirement assets
✔ Minimize Double Taxation
- Apply U.S.–Korea Estate & Gift Tax Treaty
- Determine primary taxing jurisdiction
- Coordinate foreign tax credits
- Structure assets to reduce taxable base
✔ Plan for Cross‑Border Heirs
- U.S. citizen children inheriting Korean assets
- Korean resident heirs inheriting U.S. assets
- Gift vs inheritance optimization
- Timing strategies for transfers
- ✔ Integrate Trusts & Entities
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts
- U.S. vs Korean trust recognition
- LLCs and holding structures
- Avoiding PFIC/CFC issues for heirs
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4. Our ApproachList Item 4
Cross‑border estate planning requires precision and coordination.
- Treaty‑aligned: We apply the U.S.–Korea estate & gift tax treaty strategically
- Holistic: Estate, gift, income tax, and reporting all work together
- Forward‑looking: Plan for future moves, citizenship changes, and asset growth
- Risk‑controlled: Avoid double taxation and unnecessary reporting
- Clear explanations: No jargon — you understand your plan
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5. Who Benefits Most
- U.S. residents with Korean assets
- Korean residents with U.S. assets
- Dual citizens and green card holders
- Families with heirs in both countries
- Individuals planning long‑term wealth transfer
- Anyone wanting to minimize estate or inheritance tax
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6. Why Hanmi CPA
Estate tax planning is one of the most complex areas of cross‑border taxation.
As a licensed CPA and Enrolled Agent, we understand how U.S. and Korean rules interact — and how to structure your wealth to protect your family and minimize tax.
We help you build a plan that is compliant, efficient, and aligned with your long‑term goals.
Protect Your Family With a Cross‑Border Estate Plan
If you want a coordinated, tax‑efficient estate strategy across the U.S. and Korea
We’re here to guide you every step of the way.