Attention business owners! A significant regulatory change is on the horizon, and it’s one you can’t afford to ignore. Starting January 1, 2024, nearly all businesses operating in the United States will be required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). What is Beneficial Ownership? Simply put, …
Author Archives: Anton Vinogradov
US Local Income Taxes: A Primer
When it comes to filing taxes in the United States, we usually hear about federal income taxes and state income taxes, but we rarely hear about local income taxes. Compounding the problem is the fact that most tax preparation software and even some professional accountants rarely focus on local income taxes, which may lead to …
Navigating the Maze: State-Level Tax Residency Rules and Mutual Tax Treaties
Tax residency is a concept that lies at the core of an individual’s tax obligations. For most people, it’s relatively straightforward: you reside in a particular place, and that place’s tax laws apply to your income. However, the nuances of tax residency become considerably more complex when you factor in multiple states and the influence …
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Certificate of Good Standing: what is it good for?
A Certificate of Good Standing, sometimes known as Certificate of Status or Certificate of Existence, is a state-issued document confirming that a given business entity is in “good standing” with the state. This means that the entity has been properly registered with the state, is up to date on paying all required state registration fees …
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What is a New York City Letter of Exemplification and why is it necessary for the purposes of apostille / authentication?
We are often contacted by people who were born in New York City or who have had their loved ones pass away withing the 5 boroughs asking how they could get the respective birth and death certificate apostilled or authenticated for use abroad. A prerequisite for legalization is a letter of exemplification, a statement signed …
Unlocking Opportunities: The Significance of Evaluating Foreign Educational Credentials
In today’s interconnected world, individuals often seek educational opportunities in countries other than their own. Individuals immigrating to the United States often face the additional challenge of being able to use their educational credentials for the purpose of employment or further education in the United States. In some cases, US immigration authorities may also require …
What is a Certificate of Incorporation?
Examining the purpose of a certificate of incorporation or formation for US corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and other entities
Criminal Background Checks in the United States
If you are applying for a foreign visa, permanent residency, or citizenship, you may be required to provide a background check. The specific requirements for background checks vary from country to country, so it is important to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are applying to for specific information. In general, …
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Divorce Decrees vs. Divorce Certificates
Going through a divorce can be a difficult and emotional process. There are many legal and financial details to consider, and it can be easy to get lost in the paperwork. Two important documents that are often confused are divorce certificates and decrees. What is a divorce certificate? A divorce certificate is a legal document, …
Are marriage certificates public or confidential?
It may come as a surprise that US state and local law varies considerably regarding availability of marriage certificates to the general public. One can differentiate the following types of marriage records: Public records: In some states, marriage records are public records. This means that anyone can request and obtain a copy of them, for any …
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