For over 25 years, Michael Parets has advised ultra-high net worth families, entrepreneurs, and their advisors on the complex intersection of US federal taxation, international wealth structuring, and cross-border succession planning. Based in Zürich since 2009, he brings a unique perspective shaped by deep experience in both international law firms and as a Principal at EY, where he led the Private Tax Desk for Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa.
His practice centers on designing and implementing sophisticated wealth structures that address the multifaceted challenges facing internationally mobile families and globally diversified wealth owners. He works closely with family offices, private banks, trust companies, and independent fiduciaries to develop tax-efficient solutions that balance governance, privacy, asset protection, and succession objectives across multiple jurisdictions. Whether advising on pre-immigration planning for individuals relocating to the United States, structuring inbound investments into US real estate and operating businesses, or guiding US citizens through the complex process of expatriation, he focuses on practical, implementable strategies that withstand scrutiny in an era of heightened transparency and enforcement.
A significant dimension of his work involves counseling non-US persons and financial institutions on navigating US tax and reporting regimes, including withholding obligations, FATCA compliance, and information reporting requirements. He has extensive experience advising clients on voluntary disclosure matters and helping families remediate legacy structures that no longer meet current compliance standards. His approach emphasizes proactive planning and clear communication, ensuring clients understand not only what should be done, but why it matters and how it protects their interests over the long term.
Throughout his career, he has served clients across the Americas, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, working seamlessly with local advisors to deliver coordinated solutions that respect the legal, cultural, and commercial realities of each jurisdiction. His fluency in the Swiss market—built over nearly two decades in Zürich—enables him to serve as a trusted bridge between internationally-based families and institutions and the complexities of US taxation.
He understands that wealth planning is never purely technical; it must reflect family dynamics, business realities, and evolving regulatory landscapes. His role is to translate complexity into clarity and to help clients make informed decisions with confidence.
Relevant Experience
- Cross-Border Wealth Structuring: Design and implementation of trust structures, private trust companies, and single-family offices for UHNW families in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia
- US Tax Planning for Non-US Persons: Inbound investment structures for US real estate and operating businesses; pre-immigration tax planning; US withholding and reporting compliance
- Outbound Investment Planning: US tax advice to US persons with investments in non-US corporations and partnerships and interests in foreign trusts and foundations
- Expatriation & Citizenship Planning: Comprehensive advice on relinquishment of US citizenship and long-term residence (green cards), including exit tax planning and post-expatriation compliance
- Financial Institution Advisory: US tax, FATCA, and withholding compliance for private banks, trust companies, and investment advisers; development of fiduciary service offerings for European and Asian institutions
- Voluntary Disclosure & Remediation: Representation of US persons, financial institutions, and fiduciaries in matters involving unreported offshore accounts and structures; appearances before IRS Criminal Investigations and US Department of Justice Tax Division
- Family Office Advisory: Formation, governance, and tax structuring of single-family offices; coordination of global advisory teams across multiple jurisdictions
- Private Trust Company Formation: Advice on the formation and administration of private trust companies (PTCs) in the United States
- Trust & Estate Administration: Fiduciary transitions, estate tax audits, judicial and informal accountings for US, Latin American, European, and Asian families
- Multi-Jurisdictional Succession Planning: Drafting and coordination of wills, trusts, and related documents for families with assets and beneficiaries spanning multiple countries