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Foreign investment in U.S. real estate is lucrative—but it comes with legal strings attached. One of the biggest regulatory hoops? FIRPTA. For non-U.S. persons buying or selling real estate in the United States, FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) can impact not only your transaction but also your expected profits. That’s where Firpta Tax Returns steps in, offering streamlined FIRPTA solutions for foreign sellers and agents navigating IRS rules.
So let’s break down what FIRPTA is, what solutions exist, and how we can help you reduce risk, recover your funds faster, and stay 100% compliant.
FIRPTA, enacted in 1980, allows the IRS to collect taxes on gains made by foreign persons selling U.S. real estate. The law requires buyers to withhold 15% of the property’s gross sales price if the seller is a foreign person. That’s right—the IRS takes a cut even before the seller gets their money.
And while it may sound straightforward, navigating FIRPTA involves a complicated mix of forms, IRS approvals, tax identification numbers (ITINs), and timelines. That’s why most sellers and real estate professionals prefer working with experts for end-to-end FIRPTA services.
Failure to comply with FIRPTA can result in severe penalties. The buyer could be on the hook for the full withholding amount if it wasn’t properly collected, and sellers can experience massive delays in refund processing—sometimes up to 18 months.
If you’re a foreign seller, the 15% withholding can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. It’s worth ensuring that everything—from exemption requests to tax filings—is handled professionally.
At Firpta Tax Returns, we offer turnkey FIRPTA solutions tailored to your situation. Whether you’re looking to reduce withholding, obtain a refund, or apply for an exemption, we handle all of the paperwork and coordination with the IRS on your behalf.
By offering end-to-end support, we help real estate professionals close transactions faster—and foreign sellers get their money back without legal headaches.
Many foreign sellers and agents unknowingly trip up during the FIRPTA process. Some common mistakes include:
Our team avoids these pitfalls with proactive, step-by-step guidance—and we double-check every form before it’s sent to the IRS.
Most sellers want one thing after a property sale—to get their money back quickly. But the IRS can take up to 12–18 months to process FIRPTA refunds if applications are incomplete or incorrect.
Our clients, on the other hand, often receive their refunds in as little as 3–6 months. How?
No more calling IRS helplines or wondering if your paperwork disappeared into a black hole. We stay on it—so you don’t have to.
Applying for an ITIN is required in most FIRPTA scenarios. However, visiting a U.S. consulate or mailing your passport to the IRS isn’t ideal.
That’s where Certified Acceptance Agents (CAA) come in. As authorized CAAs, we verify your identity without needing to submit original documents to the IRS.
For foreign sellers living overseas, having a certified agent simplifies everything—especially when tight transaction timelines are involved.
FIRPTA doesn’t have to be a roadblock in your real estate sale. Whether you’re an individual selling your vacation home or a foreign corporation divesting U.S. assets, Firpta Tax Returns offers complete FIRPTA solutions to help you handle compliance, minimize withholding, and fast-track your refund.
So, don’t let paperwork and IRS delays slow you down. Let us handle the red tape so you can focus on your next investment move.
Also, explore our full suite of FIRPTA services and simplify your next real estate transaction.
