Thanks so much for this info! The farm is indeed an S Corp. Would setting up a QSST require getting everyone in the family on board? And how exactly would it help with our tax situation? Sorry if these are basic questions, this farm tax situation is completely outside my experience.

Setting up a QSST would only involve your wife's shares, not the entire family structure. It creates a trust that holds her shares, which can sometimes provide more flexibility in how and when income is recognized. The main benefit would be potential income timing advantages and possibly some estate planning benefits as well. However, it does require proper setup by someone familiar with both trust law and agricultural tax issues. It's not a DIY solution, but depending on the value of the shares and ongoing income, it might be worth the setup costs.

My family uses income averaging and it's saved us thousands. But remember it only helps the active farmers (her brothers who run it), not passive shareholders. The original poster and his wife would still get the K-1 with the same amount of pass-through income regardless.

Is Modelo 210 something I can file online or do I need to physically go to a Spanish tax office? I'm planning to buy but won't be in Spain more than a few weeks each year.

You can definitely file the Modelo 210 online through the Spanish Tax Agency's website. You'll need to get an NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) first, which is required for property purchase anyway. Many non-residents also use a "fiscal representative" in Spain - basically an accountant or lawyer who handles the filing for you. This is often the easiest option if you're only there a few weeks a year. Most of the online filing system is available in English now, which is a big improvement from when I first bought my place five years ago. But the translations can be a bit confusing sometimes, which is why many people just hire a local tax advisor for a few hundred euros per year.

I went through this when my uncle passed and left his Malaga apartment to my cousin. Inheritance tax in Spain varies HUGELY by autonomous region - some regions like Madrid and Andalusia have big exemptions, especially for close family members. But as non-residents, you don't automatically get all the same benefits as residents. The good news is that in 2018, the rules changed to allow non-EU residents to benefit from regional tax rules instead of just the national ones, which are usually less favorable. So definitely check the specific inheritance tax rules for Mallorca (in the Balearic Islands region).

Thank you so much for this info! I had no idea the rules had changed in 2018 - that's a huge relief. I'll definitely look into the specific rules for the Balearic Islands. Did your cousin end up paying a lot in inheritance tax, or were they able to take advantage of the regional exemptions even as a non-resident?

We used [firm name] last year and they found about $180k in credits, but charged us $54k (30%). They handled everything including amending prior year returns. The documentation they prepared was really thorough which helped when we got some questions from the IRS. Expensive but worth it for the peace of mind.

That's helpful to know. The 30% fee sounds high but having thorough documentation that stands up to IRS scrutiny seems worth it. Did they help with both the technical and financial documentation aspects? I'm also wondering about the amending prior years - did that cause any complications or did it go smoothly? We're considering going back to claim 2022 credits we missed.

We've been using QuickBooks with custom accounts set up specifically for R&D. Created separate accounts for domestic R&D (5-year amortization) and foreign (15-year). Then set up amortization schedules in Excel that feed back to our monthly journal entries. Not perfect but it works.

Thanks for the suggestion! That makes sense - creating custom accounts seems like a practical workaround. I'm still hoping software providers will catch up with better built-in solutions for these R&D tracking requirements. Our controller wasn't thrilled about the manual Excel approach but I guess that's what we'll need to do for now. Did you run into any challenges with mid-year R&D expenses and when to start the amortization?

This makes sense. I'm wondering if my preparer is confusing different rules. Do you have any recommendations for tax software that handles Form 1116 and foreign tax credit carryforwards properly?

In my experience, TaxAct Premium handles Form 1116 and foreign tax credit carryforwards correctly. It walks you through the proper allocation of carryforwards and applies them appropriately to your current year US tax liability. I've also heard good things about TaxSlayer Premium for international tax situations, though I haven't personally used it. The key is to make sure you're using a premium or top-tier version of whatever software you choose, as the basic versions often don't include the proper support for Form 1116.

This is excellent advice. I messed this up years ago with my Hong Kong income and it caused a huge headache. Had to amend returns because my preparer put everything in passive category when most should have been general.

Is it normal for tax preparers to charge so much? I've been filing my S-Corp taxes with TurboTax for $170. Am I missing something by not using a professional?

It depends entirely on your business complexity and comfort level with tax regulations. TurboTax works well for straightforward businesses with minimal special situations. Where professionals provide value is with tax planning, specialized deductions, complex allocations, and having someone to represent you if questions arise. If you're confident in your understanding of business tax rules and your return is relatively straightforward, software might be sufficient. But many business owners find professionals help identify deductions and planning opportunities that more than offset their fees. Also, having representation during notices or audits can be invaluable for complex business structures.

Do you think its worth getting a lawyer involved? My cousin is an attorney and said I could have him send a letter for free.

In my experience, involving a lawyer should be your absolute last resort, not your first step. A strongly worded attorney letter might get immediate attention, but it also immediately creates an adversarial relationship that can make an amicable resolution harder. I'd recommend following the escalation chain first - preparer → office manager → corporate customer service. Most tax preparation chains have established protocols for handling errors and want to preserve their reputation. Save the legal approach for if they flatly refuse to address the issue after you've exhausted normal channels. Even a free lawyer letter from your cousin changes the dynamic significantly.