Ankurita Lala
Senior Tax Associate
- Federally authorized to practice before the IRS on all U.S. tax matters
- IRS qualified Enrolled Agent (EA)
- Bachelor of Science in Economics (BSC)
- National Stock Exchange (NSE) certified Capital Market Professional
Meet Ankurita…
As an Enrolled Agent (EA) and Senior Tax Associate, I specialize in helping individuals and entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of foreign business ownership.
Starting and running a business abroad comes with unique U.S. tax challenges. Foreign corporations come with intricate IRS reporting requirements and missing key details could potentially lead to costly penalties. My team and I bring over 100 years of combined U.S. tax experience, helping clients streamline compliance, optimize tax positions, and proactively manage IRS reporting obligations. Whether it’s GILTI tax calculations, foreign tax credits, Subpart F income, or Form 5471 filings, we provide clear, practical strategies that align with your business goals and minimize unnecessary tax burdens.
We have worked with numerous startup founders and businesses who felt overwhelmed by U.S. tax rules. My role is to simplify the process, ensuring compliance while helping them focus on growing their ventures without stress. As an Enrolled Agent, I am also authorized to represent clients before the IRS, ensuring peace of mind in case of audits or tax disputes.
Our goal is to help our clients by making U.S. tax compliance smoother and more strategic, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business and achieving financial success, worry-free.
Do US expats in Singapore have to file a US tax return?
Yes, they do. The United States follows a citizenship-based tax system, which means American citizens and green card holders must report their income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)—no matter where they live or work.
Why does the US tax me if I live abroad?
Although most countries tax people based on where they live or earn money, the US is different. If you are a US citizen or Green Card holder, you’re generally required to file a US tax return every year—even if you live in Singapore or any other country.
Does the Foreign-Earned Income Exclusion actually help US citizens or Green Card holders in Singapore avoid US tax?
Yes. If you are a US citizen or green card holder working in Singapore, you can often use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) to shield a substantial part of your earnings from US taxation.
Is it better to use standard or itemized deductions when living in Singapore?
It depends on how many deductible expenses you have.
The standard deduction is a fixed amount that reduces your taxable income automatically, without the need to list every expense. For the 2024 tax year, the standard deduction is US$14,600 for single filers and US$29,200 for married couples filing jointly (it’s US$21,900 if you file as head of household).
Ankurita Lala, an IRS Enrolled Agent with 6 years of expat tax experience, specializes in helping individuals and entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of foreign business ownership. *Schedule a consultation with Ankurita today.
*30-minutes US$247.