Understanding FIRPTA: Tax pitfalls of foreign investment in US real estate

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Cookies Settings

Understanding FIRPTA: Tax pitfalls of foreign investment in US real estate

June 17 2013
real-estate.jpg

The US Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) was established in 1980 for the purpose of withholding the estimated amount of taxes which may be due on the gain of the disposition of a US real property interest from foreign persons. Daniel Gross, CEO of Axis International Realty, explores the intricacies of the provision.

Unlock this content.

The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this content:

Take a Free Trial or Login

Topics

NewsUnited StatesDirect TaxNorth America Jurisdictions
more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Direct Tax
BDO
BDO planning to cut roughly 6% of partners in UK
New hires from rivals are reportedly being axed from the firm, following a steep decline in profits
Sam Sholli, April 10 2026
Direct Tax
Deloitte.jfif
A taxing week: Is Darren Graves the man to up Deloitte’s tax game?
Following Richard Houston’s switch to the newly formed Deloitte EMEA, Graves has the opportunity to bring Deloitte’s tax practice up to speed with its rivals
Sam Sholli, April 10 2026
Direct Tax
Cuatro Torres in Madrid
This week in tax: Dentons hires tax partner from DLA Piper in Madrid
Firms announced tax hires and promotions across Europe and the US, while fresh figures from Ireland showed corporation tax receipts edging down in the first quarter
Tom Baker, April 10 2026
Transfer Pricing
Jamaica
OECD hails Jamaica’s TP overhaul amid $7.7bn revenue intake
The country has overseen better audit procedures and demonstrated commitment to acting as a 'regional leader' on international tax matters, the OECD said
Sam Sholli, April 09 2026
Direct Tax
Google
Exclusive: UK tax barrister and campaigner renew war of words
Barrister Setu Kamal and policy guru Dan Neidle have clashed over the former’s legal action against Google, described as ‘bonkers’ by Neidle
Sam Sholli, April 09 2026
Direct Tax
India Mauritius
GAAR grandfathering ‘restored’ pursuant to Tiger Global: analysis
Authors from Khaitan & Co evaluate the recent CBDT notification, whereby legacy investments made by investors continue to be exempt from the applicability of GAAR
Sanjay Sanghvi, April 08 2026
Direct Tax
Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie appoints ex-KPMG lawyer as Austrian tax head
Dual-qualified corporate tax specialist Christoph Schimmer joins the firm after stints at Deloitte, Cerha Hempel and DLA Piper
Tom Baker, April 08 2026
Direct Tax
Global digital
Pillar two and the new global tax disorder
Geopolitical rivalry is reshaping global tax cooperation, as the OECD’s minimum tax framework fragments and the EU grapples with the ensuing legal fallout
Renáta Bláhová, April 06 2026
Direct Tax
marco sandoli resized.jpg
Trust is a tax virtue, says Marco Sandoli
LED Taxand’s partner tells ITR about entrepreneurial inspirations, the importance of people skills, and what makes tax cool
April 06 2026
Direct Tax
ryan office pic resized.jpg
A taxing week: Three cheers for the firms betting on real estate
Shiny new offices like Ryan’s in London Bridge aren’t just a cost – they signal that a firm is willing to align with its clients’ interests
Tom Baker, April 03 2026
Gift this article