Who should I consult for inheriting foreign property - CPA, tax attorney or estate planner?

This is a situation where you'd benefit from both a tax attorney and a CPA, though I'd start with the tax attorney. Here's why: A tax attorney with international experience can help you understand the legal framework around your inheritance, including any tax treaties between the US and Portugal that might affect how the property sale is taxed. They can also advise on reporting requirements for foreign assets and income. After getting the legal framework clear, a CPA with international tax experience can help with the actual tax filings and calculations. You'll likely need to report this on your US taxes even though the property is in Portugal, and there are specific forms for reporting foreign assets and income. An estate planner isn't really necessary in your case since you're not planning the distribution of assets - you're receiving them and converting to cash.

After going through a somewhat similar situation last year with property in Spain, I stumbled upon taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was honestly a game changer. Before finding it, I was getting quotes from international tax attorneys ranging from $3,500-5,000 just to start the process. What I loved about taxr.ai was that I could upload all the Portuguese inheritance documents and property papers and their system actually translated and analyzed everything. It identified exactly what forms I needed to file with the IRS and even pointed out that there was a tax treaty provision that could save me around $15,000 in taxes. The best part was that it connected me with specialists who actually had experience with Portuguese property inheritance specifically, not just general international tax people.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about taxr.ai. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it for my own inheritance situation (property in Germany). The document analysis feature saved me countless hours trying to translate and understand German legal terminology. They identified exactly which IRS forms I needed (FBAR, Form 8938, Form 3520) and explained the foreign tax credit process. When I showed their analysis to my regular accountant, he was actually impressed and said it would have taken him weeks to research all this specialized information. What really sold me was their explanation of how the US-Germany tax treaty affected my specific situation - something my regular accountant admitted he wouldn't have known. I'm going to be saving about $12,000 in double taxation thanks to their guidance.

If you're having trouble reaching the IRS for guidance on this (and trust me, you will), Claimyr https://claimyr.com has been absolutely essential for me. When I inherited property in Mexico last year, I spent DAYS trying to reach the IRS international tax department to get clarity on some reporting requirements. I was ready to give up when a friend suggested Claimyr. Their system got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for weeks on my own. They have this clever callback technology you can see in action here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I spoke with was super helpful and clarified exactly which forms I needed to file and the timeline requirements. Saved me from potentially missing important deadlines which could have resulted in serious penalties.

I need to publicly eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try Claimyr as a last resort for my ongoing IRS issue about inherited foreign stocks. I've been trying to get guidance for months with zero success. Claimyr connected me to an IRS international tax specialist in 35 minutes. I nearly fell out of my chair when my phone rang and it was actually the IRS! The agent walked me through exactly how to report my inherited foreign investments and explained which exclusions applied to my situation. The peace of mind from having documented guidance from an actual IRS agent is worth so much - now I have case notes in their system and a specific record of the advice I received. Wish I had known about this service months ago instead of stressing and guessing about compliance requirements.

Don't forget that you'll also likely need a lawyer in Portugal to handle the local legal aspects of the sale. Each country has different inheritance and property sale laws. When my uncle left me property in Greece, I had to work with: 1. A US tax attorney to understand my US reporting obligations 2. A local Greek lawyer to handle the inheritance acceptance process 3. A real estate agent in Greece for the actual sale 4. A CPA in the US for filing the right forms with the IRS The most complicated part was timing everything correctly - there were deadlines in both countries that didn't align well. Make sure you start the process early!

Has anyone here used an online service like H&R Block or TurboTax for reporting foreign inheritance? My situation is smaller (just a bank account in Italy worth about $30k) but I'm wondering if I need to go through the expense of hiring professionals or if the software can handle it.

Isaiah, I went through something very similar with property in Ireland a few years ago. As a green card holder, you're absolutely right to be concerned about compliance - the IRS takes foreign asset reporting seriously. Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. **Start with documentation**: Gather all Portuguese inheritance documents, property deeds, and recent appraisals. You'll need these translated by a certified translator for US tax purposes. 2. **Tax treaty benefits**: The US-Portugal tax treaty can significantly reduce your tax burden. You may be able to claim foreign tax credits for any Portuguese inheritance taxes paid. 3. **Key forms you'll likely need**: Form 706-NA (if estate exceeds certain thresholds), Form 3520 (foreign trust/estate reporting), Form 8938 (foreign assets), and FBAR if you have signatory authority over foreign accounts during the process. 4. **Timing matters**: Portugal has specific deadlines for accepting inheritance and completing property transfers. Don't let US tax planning delay the Portuguese legal process. My recommendation: Start with a tax attorney who specializes in US-Portugal tax issues, then bring in a CPA for the actual filings. The upfront cost will save you thousands in potential penalties and optimize your tax situation. With $320k at stake, professional guidance is definitely worth the investment. Good luck with the process!

Isaiah, I'm in a very similar boat - green card holder who inherited property in Brazil last year. The stress and confusion you're feeling is totally normal! Here's what I wish someone had told me at the start: **First priority: Get organized with your Portuguese documents NOW.** Start gathering everything - death certificates, property deeds, inheritance acceptance papers, recent appraisals. You'll need certified English translations of all of them, which takes time and isn't cheap (budget around $1,500-2,000 for translation costs). **Don't rush into selling yet.** There are specific timing considerations with both Portuguese inheritance laws and US tax implications. Portugal may have inheritance acceptance deadlines, and the US has "step-up in basis" rules that could affect your capital gains calculation. **For professionals, you really do need both:** A tax attorney first to map out the legal landscape and tax treaty implications, then a CPA to execute the actual filings. I spent about $4,500 total on professional fees, but it saved me an estimated $18,000 in taxes through proper planning. **One thing that caught me off-guard:** You may need to file quarterly estimated tax payments to the US as soon as you sell, depending on the gain amount. Don't wait until next April to think about the tax bill! The Portugal-US tax treaty is actually quite favorable - definitely explore the foreign tax credit provisions. With $320k at stake, investing in proper professional guidance upfront will pay for itself many times over. Feel free to reach out if you want to compare notes as you go through this process!

Isaiah, your situation resonates with me as I went through something very similar when I inherited property in Greece as a green card holder. The confusion and stress you're feeling is completely understandable - foreign inheritance can feel overwhelming when you're trying to navigate both countries' legal systems. Based on my experience, here's my practical advice: **Start with a tax attorney who specializes in international taxation, specifically US-Portugal tax issues.** They need to understand the bilateral tax treaty between the two countries, which can significantly impact your tax liability. Don't just hire any tax attorney - make sure they have specific experience with Portuguese property inheritance. **You'll also need a CPA for the execution phase**, but get the legal framework clear first. The tax attorney can map out your obligations, treaty benefits, and timeline requirements, then the CPA can handle the actual filings. **Critical forms you'll likely need:** Form 3520 (foreign inheritance reporting), Form 8938 (foreign asset reporting), FBAR if you have signature authority over Portuguese accounts during the process, and potentially Form 706-NA depending on the total estate value. **Don't underestimate the Portuguese side** - you'll probably need a Portuguese attorney or notary to handle the local inheritance acceptance and property sale process. This can't be rushed and has its own deadlines. **Budget realistically:** I spent about $5,500 total on professional fees (US tax attorney, CPA, and Portuguese lawyer), but it saved me over $20,000 in taxes through proper treaty planning and timing strategies. The Portugal-US tax treaty is actually quite favorable for inheritance situations. With $320k at stake, professional guidance isn't just recommended - it's essential for avoiding costly mistakes. Start gathering and translating all your Portuguese documents now while you're searching for the right professionals. The process takes longer than you'd expect, but proper planning upfront will save you significant money and stress down the road.