Cross-border tax planning

One important distinction

“Repatriating profits” can mean very different things. For example, the optimal route could involve a dividend, royalty, management/service fee, intercompany financing, liquidation, capital return, or restructuring, depending on where the subsidiary is located and how it is owned.

Also, don't assume that simply leaving profits overseas eliminates U.S. tax. U.S. international tax rules can create current inclusions even without an actual cash distribution; the IRS specifically discusses CFC and foreign-earnings regimes in its international-tax guidance.andersen.com+4

If you tell me (1) the country the profits are coming from, (2) whether the owner is a U.S. corporation, LLC, partnership, or individual, and (3) roughly how much is being repatriated, I can narrow this to the 3–5 firms/partners I’d actually interview and explain what tax strategy each is best suited for.

1. Andersen

(Large multinational operations)

A strong candidate for businesses with multiple foreign subsidiaries, significant overseas earnings, or operations in several jurisdictions. Its U.S. international tax practice explicitly covers earnings repatriation, foreign tax credits, and cross-border structuring.andersen.com

Official international tax practice

2. Wipfli

(Middle-market and larger businesses)

Worth considering if you want a tax advisory team to evaluate repatriation alongside foreign subsidiary structures, transfer pricing, and U.S. international tax obligations. Wipfli specifically advertises tax-efficient repatriation of foreign earnings.wipfli-com-cdne.azureedge.net

Official international tax services

3. Smith + Howard

A candidate for companies seeking hands-on advice on cash repatriation, foreign tax credit optimization, and controlled foreign corporation rules. Its international tax practice is led by Matt Halpern, who lists experience advising multinational corporations and complex cross-border tax matters.www.smith-howard.com

Official international tax services

4. The Law Office of Deborah J. Jacobs

(New York tax attorney)

A more specialized legal option if you want direct attorney advice on U.S. tax treaties, foreign tax credits, and repatriation planning. The practice states it has more than 25 years of international tax experience and serves clients worldwide.jacobstaxlaw.com+1

45 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 2000, New York, NY 10111

212-332-3248

Official website

5. Transglobal Tax Advisors

A potential fit for a closely held business or owner-managed company. Its published services include foreign subsidiary planning, earnings repatriation, CFC rules, and cross-border transactions.tglobaltax.com

Official international tax planning services

These are an initial shortlist based on published expertise, not a ranking based on independently verified client outcomes. Confirm that the specific adviser has experience with your countries and ownership structure.

How I'd choose the right expert

Before hiring anyone, ask for a written comparison of the tax consequences of the available ways to move the money. Ideally, the engagement should include a country-by-country analysis, projected U.S. and foreign tax costs, and a clear implementation and compliance plan.

Three details would help me narrow this to the best two or three options for your situation:

1. Who owns the overseas profits?

U.S. company with foreign subsidiaries

Foreign company owned by me personally

Foreign branch of a U.S. company

Other / not sure

2. Which countries currently hold the profits?

[Input placeholder: e.g., UK, Ireland, Singapore] (Current value unavailable.)

3. Approximately how much do you plan to move?

Under $1 million

$1 million–$10 million

$10 million–$100 million

Over $100 million

Where should the money end up?

United States

Another country

Not decided yet

[Find the best-fit experts]

With those details, I can focus on advisers who handle your particular type of repatriation rather than firms that mainly prepare individual expat tax returns.