FIRPTA affects foreign sellers, not buyers. Here is what it means and how to plan for it before you sell.
FIRPTA applies when a foreign owner sells
FIRPTA is a US tax rule that requires a portion of the sale price to be withheld when a foreign person sells US property, so the government can collect any tax that may be owed. It is a withholding at closing, not an extra tax, and part or all of it can come back when you file.
How title and structure affect your taxes
How you hold the property, in your own name, an LLC, or another entity, changes how income, sale, and inheritance are taxed, and personal ownership can expose foreign owners to estate tax above a low threshold. The right structure is a decision to make with a cross-border tax advisor before you buy.
Plan before you sign
Most FIRPTA surprises come from planning late. We flag these questions early and coordinate the attorneys and CPAs who handle international deals, so nothing stalls at closing. This is general information and not tax or legal advice.