Retiring abroad requires a lot of planning and often a good accountant. When people dream of jetting off to the French countryside or a tropical island to begin a new chapter in retirement, tax and banking policies don’t usually feature prominently in the fantasy. But pulling off a move overseas in retirement requires navigating financial rules in both the U.S. and one’s new home. Mistakes are easy to make and can be costly, financial advisers with international clients say.

We all complain about the crazy and sometimes foolish behavior of the Internal Revenue Service. But, other taxing entities such as states, school districts and municipalities can be just as bad. These other taxing entities have no qualms in spending $100 to collect $10 in extra taxes. They are also quick to charge interest and penalties on anything and everything.

If one of these notices comes your way, please check immediately with your tax advisor. This piece of mail is not to be ignored.

Can you imagine a world where you have to pay tax to get a tattoo? That’s the case in the US state of Arkansas, where a 6% “beautification tax” goes to the treasury.

Self-directed IRAs are not for the faint of heart. There are many ways for a seemingly innocent misstep to “blow-up” your IRA, causing your retirement funds to be taxed along with some BIG penalties and interest.

Many people including me want to make things hard. Because, if it isn’t hard, it is not worth doing. That old adage too often doesn’t carry its own weight.