Real Estate Investment Funds

March 9, 2012

In the second part of this series, we discuss the U.S. tax filing requirements of a nonresident alien investor, and the various steps an investor needs to take in order to have a complete tax return. We also discuss the process of authorizing a CPA firm to handle an investor's tax return, and an overview of the various other forms associated with the U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return.

March 2, 2012

With strong performance in 2011, closed-end real estate funds still offer an attractive way for the foreign investor to invest in U.S. real estate.  Foreign investors considering investing in a closed-end fund have a complex set of rules to learn and several steps to follow to ensure they are properly complying with U.S. tax law.   In this article, the first of a three-part series, we hope to provide a helpful guideline for the foreign investor, with a general overview of what a closed-end fund is, a summary of  U.S. tax law, and a list of the steps that the investor needs to take to comply with U.S. tax law. 

Situation

A Real Estate Fund, which had invested in several properties in New York and California, was in the process of liquidating. The partnership consisted of approximately 4000 taxable and
tax-exempt partners. Because the Fund was liquidating, they needed high quality tax services, while facing cost reductions and staff shortages.