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FAQ: How to Get Started in the USA
Welcome to our FAQ page. Here, we provide answers to the most common questions from investors interested in starting their investments in the United States. If you're looking for guidance on how to take the first steps in the American financial market, you're in the right place. Explore our detailed answers and start your investment journey with confidence.
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What types of investments do you work with?We work with traditional and alternative investments, such as: Securities Real Estate Private Equity & Venture Capital
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What Documents are Required to Invest in the United States?The documents required may vary depending on the type of investment and the financial institution involved. However, it is common to request identification documents, proof of residence, tax information and, in some cases, documents related to the source of income.
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What Visa is Required to Invest in the United States?A specific visa is not required to invest in the United States, but depending on the type and duration of your activity in the country, you may need a business visa, such as the E-2 investor visa or the EB-5 entrepreneur visa. We recommend consulting an immigration lawyer for advice on the visa best suited to your circumstances.
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How does the Tax System work in the United States for Foreign Investors?Foreign investors in the US are subject to various tax laws, including federal income tax and possible state and local taxes depending on the location of the investments. Additionally, it is important to understand the rules of tax treaties between the investor's home country and the United States to avoid double taxation. We recommend consulting a tax professional who specializes in international transactions for specific guidance.
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I want to create a company in the state of Florida, can you do that?Yes, we offer this service. We open companies in the state of Florida for locals and foreigners, providing everything necessary during the process.
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How does company maintenance work in the state of Florida? Do you help with this?Yes, we help with the ongoing maintenance of a business in the state of Florida. This includes assistance with preparing and filing the annual report, renewing business licenses, statutory updates, and any other regulatory or administrative requirements the company needs to comply with to operate legally in the state of Florida. We are here to ensure your business is in compliance with all local and state regulations.
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I want to buy a property. Do you help with this process?Yes, we help with this process. We have the necessary licenses and the necessary expertise to assist in the purchase of any property in Florida, whether residential or commercial, among others. We have knowledge of the best regions to invest and live.
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If I buy a property, will you manage it for me remotely?Yes, we manage commercial properties, such as retail, warehouses, offices, among others, for investors who are far away. However, we do not offer residential or vacation property management services. We offer two billing models for our property management services: Percentage of rent (most common). Fixed list price for the property management package. The customer can choose the model that best suits their needs and preferences. Whatever your need, count on us to help you. Our company has years of experience in the market and is highly reliable.
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Do you work in consultancy?Yes, we work with consultancy in two different areas. We offer business consultancy for foreigners who need a business plan to open a company in the United States. In addition, we provide real estate consultancy, whether to build or acquire a property. These are two different categories of consultancy, each with its own specialty and dedicated team to meet your specific needs.
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Do you offer research services?For those who already have a company and wish to internationalize their business, we offer specialized market research services for expansion into the United States. This includes creating a comprehensive business plan, market analysis, profit projections and guidance through every step of the internationalization process. For those who do not own a company and need research services to choose the best investments available on the market, we offer market research and investment opportunities. This includes detailed commercial and residential property analyses, feasibility studies, market trend analysis and financial modeling to help identify the best investment opportunities for your needs and objectives.
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Can immigrants buy a house in the United States?Yes, immigrants can easily buy a house in the United States. American law allows foreigners, whether residents or not, to own properties in the country without requiring a specific visa. Buying a property is relatively simple if you have the total amount needed. The process can be more complex if the buyer needs to finance the property, committing to a mortgage - more extensive documentation and proof of income with an American bank will be required.
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Is it possible to buy a property in the United States even if you live in Brazil?It is not necessary to live in the United States or have a residence visa to buy a house in the United States. You can do business with just a temporary stay visa, such as a tourist visa. It is even possible to carry out the purchase process with a legal representative, but it is always advisable to visit the property and sign the contract in person, especially when it comes to such a large investment in another country.
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What documents are needed to buy a house in the United States?If you are planning to move or make an investment in the country, it is important to prepare yourself financially and better understand some of the requirements. Conditions change especially depending on the payment method. If you are able to make this investment upfront, simply present personal documentation. When applying for a mortgage, foreigners may be asked for a higher down payment to grant a loan, in addition to more extensive documentation to prove income, financial stability, among others. In general, you need to have the following documents on hand to buy a house in the United States: Valid foreign passport; American visa or a driver's license; Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN); Bank statements and financial documents from your foreign bank; Proof of income; Proof of address; Evidence of financial reserve; Property titles inside and outside the US: Employment history; Credit score; Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax identification number (TIN);
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If I buy a house in the United States, do I have the right to an American passport and citizenship?Unfortunately, the answer is no. Buying a house in the United States does not entitle you to a passport and American citizenship, nor does it make it easier to obtain a residence visa. The legislation guarantees the possibility of purchasing a property, but this has no relation to the immigration process in the country. If you are not authorized to live in the United States, you can have the house as an investment, or even use it within the duration of your visa.
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How does the process of buying a property in the US with cash payment work?If it is cash, the money must already be in a US bank account to facilitate doing business. In many cash transactions, the seller wants to see proof that the buyer has all the cash for payment. The transaction closing time will be around 15 days.
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What is the process of obtaining real estate financing as a foreigner?If you choose to pay for the property with financing, it is necessary to have a pre-approval letter issued by the financing bank before an offer is made on the property. This letter represents that some of the buyer's documents have already been evaluated and pre-approved. Therefore, for financed properties, the sooner you send the documents for evaluation and get approval from the financing bank, the better and more convenient it becomes to purchase the property. In the case of financing, the operation time will be at least 45 days.
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What is the down payment value when purchasing a property financed in the USA?In most cases it is possible to make an initial deposit of around 30% of the value of the property.
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When a property in the USA is purchased through financing and after paying the initial deposit, how is the remaining value divided?The remaining amount can be financed in 30 fixed years with an average interest rate of 5 - 6% per year, in 15 fixed years with an average interest rate of 5% per year or in 30 variable years, with the first 5 years being fixed and with a much lower interest rate, around 3 to 4.25%.
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What documents are needed to purchase a financed property in the USA?Documents vary depending on the bank you choose, but in general, you need to present a copy of your passport and visa, bank account in the United States, letter from the Employer indicating income for the last 2 years, copy of the last 2 years of income, personal and company tax, if any, copy of the last 3 most recent bank statements, two credit reference letters, negative debt certificate – SERASA, proof of the down payment plus 6 months corresponding to the installments of the financing account or banking application in the United States.
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Is there a difference between buying property in USA as an individual or as a company?Yes. Acquiring in the name of a legal entity has its tax advantages, as well as asset protection. Therefore, it is recommended to open a company, as in addition to there being no bureaucracy, maintaining the company is very low cost and your assets are better protected.
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Do you need to pay property taxes in the United States?Yes, there is a tax in the United States that is levied annually on properties, called property tax or real state tax. There is variation depending on the state, among those with the lowest tax rate are: Hawaii, Alabama, and Louisiana; and with greater New Jersey, Illinois and New Hampshire. Property Tax Property tax, which is equivalent to Brazilian IPTU, is calculated by county or city and is levied annually. It is a tax paid to the government that changes depending on the property's market value and varies greatly depending on the state. These resources are invested in improving infrastructure, services and public education. Capital Gains Tax If you are looking to make an investment, you need to consider that in the future, when selling American property, you may be required to pay capital gains tax - which is a tax on the profit obtained from the business, according to the Foreign Investment Tax Law in Real Estate Properties (FIRPTA).
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How do I know if I am a US tax resident?A US tax resident is defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as someone who meets the substantial presence test or holds a Green Card. This means you must be physically present in the United States for at least 31 days during the current year and 183 days during a three-year period (including the current year and the previous two years, with a specific formula for counting the days). As a tax resident, you are required to report your worldwide income to the IRS, regardless of where it was generated, and may be subject to U.S. taxation.
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What are the tax obligations of US tax residents?As a tax resident, you have an obligation to report your worldwide income on a 1040 form and pay any taxes due. This includes employment income, investments, passive income, and any capital gains regardless of where they were generated. You must also report foreign bank accounts and financial assets if they exceed certain limits, through forms such as FBAR (Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts) and Form 8938.
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What forms and documents are needed to file income tax returns in the United States?To declare Income Tax in the United States, some forms and documents are required: Form 1040: It is the main form for filing US Income Tax. It is used to report income, deductions, credits, and calculate the amount owed or the refund to be received. There are variants of Form 1040, such as 1040A and 1040EZ, which are simpler and have specific requirements. Form W-2: This is an employer-provided form that shows earnings and taxes withheld throughout the year. This form is required to report income from employment. Form 1099: It is used to list income from other sources, such as rental income, dividends, interest, among others. There are different variants of Form 1099 depending on the nature of the income. Proof of expenses and deductions: It is important to have documents that prove the expenses and deductions you intend to make in your Income Tax declaration. This may include medical receipts, receipts for charitable donations, proof of educational expenses, among others. Social Security Number (SSN): The SSN is an identification number issued by the US Social Security Administration. It is used to identify taxpayers and is necessary for the Income Tax declaration. Personal identification documents: It is important to have personal identification documents such as a passport, driver's license, or government-issued identification card.
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How do I open a bank account in the US?Opening a bank account in the United States can be done in person at a bank branch or online, depending on the financial institution. You will generally need to provide identification documents such as a passport, visa and proof of address, as well as additional financial information as required by the bank.
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How do I transfer money to the United States?There are several companies that provide exchange services, such as local banks themselves, so each one has its own rules for transferring. We always recommend sending in accordance with Central Bank guidelines. When the amount is sent from individual to individual, there is an IOF tax of 1.1% of the amount sent. If the amount is sent from an individual to a legal entity, the IOF is only 0.38%.
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What are the visa options for those who want to live permanently in the United States?The most common are: Tourist Visa (B1/B2): For temporary leisure or business trips. F1: Student visa. F2: Visa for spouse or children of F1 visa holders. O: Visa for people with special skills or for those who have an employer willing to sponsor the visa. L1: Visa for intra-company transfer, requiring a minimum of 10 employees. EB1: Preference visa for workers with extraordinary skills. EB2: Preferred visa for workers with advanced skills or academic degree. E2: Visa for investors from countries with a trade and navigation treaty with the USA. Green Card: Permanent residence in the USA. Others not so common: K: Visa for spouses of US citizens. H1B: Visa for temporary workers in specialized occupations. J1: Exchange visa for students, teachers, researchers and doctors. E1: Visa for traders and investors from countries with a trade and navigation treaty with the USA.
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