Towering cloud covered mountains, rushing white water rivers, billowing volcanoes, endless mysterious canals, Toucans and Jaguars and Parrots. I’ll bet the word Caribbean did not pop into your mind when reading that sentence!

Throw in turquoise waters, palm covered beaches and world class surfing you are starting to get the picture of what the Caribbean side of Costa Rica is all about.

Now add the new $1Billion port renovation in Moin, just north of Limon and you’ll see why investors and lifestylers alike are getting excited about the new Costa Rica opening up right now.

In the waning days of 2010 President Obama and the United States Congress agreed to a variety of compromise tax measures designed to “extend” the Bush Era tax cuts.  Tax rates were largely maintained at the current levels through December 31, 2012 at which time they are once again set to revert to their old (higher) levels.

Sorry for the depressing title to the article. But seriously, I was disappointed recently when I saw a commercial for a major US brokerage firm. There sat a stately looking, white haired gentleman who looked like he could be the poster child for AARP. He was talking about his experiences with some other brokers who discussed things like enjoying a vineyard in retirement. As the picture fades, the tag line to the commercial is, “A vineyard? Get real.”

There are significant tax, asset protection and investment diversification benefits available with an Offshore Variable Universal Life (VUL) policy.   However, there are additional advantages to consider when evaluating an Offshore VUL policy that you might not have considered in the due diligence process.

Many offshore jurisdictions offer life insurance contract legislation that is better than legislation under U.S. state law. The assets invested with an offshore policy are considered to be in a separate account of the policy and will receive protection from creditors.  This is different than a domestic policy which might subject the owner of the policy to creditor risk in the event of an insurance company bankruptcy.

Our mission is to help people accumulate and keep wealth in an uncertain global economy. We look at and analyze hundreds of investments to find the select few that have a high degree of probability for success and preservation of invested capital, and that also have the potential to multiply wealth in 6-30 months.

I have recently returned from a fact-finding, relationship-enhancing trip to Lima, Peru. While meeting with local business owners, government officials and entrepreneurs, I was amazed by the commercial potential existing in the country. Not only were the people of Lima welcoming and hospitable, they also quickly demonstrated their thriving entrepreneurial culture and eagerness to do business with the United States.

If it’s January it must be tax season…. Many U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. (green card holders) move to another country and forget or choose not to file a tax return in the U.S. But be warned: The U.S. requires you to file a tax return accounting for your worldwide taxable income—and the statute of limitations never runs out.

In many cases, you may have few or no U.S. taxes to pay, thanks to exclusions and deductions that you may qualify for as an expatriate. But you definitely are required to file if you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien. Not filing can create major issues. For instance, if you live abroad for 10 years and then return to the United States, the penalties and interest you’ve accrued may be more than the actual tax.