New report examines how tax reforms in 2025 are reshaping financial strategies for high-net-worth individuals (HNWI)
Governments worldwide are increasingly turning to wealth and exit taxes as tools for post-pandemic fiscal recovery and inequality reduction. In a new analysis, Global Citizen Solutions outlines the legal, economic, and strategic implications of this trend, highlighting recent developments in the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Colombia, and beyond.
“We are witnessing a global trend toward taxing not just income, but the accumulation and movement of wealth,” said Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions. “While these measures aim to address inequality and fund public spending, they also raise real concerns about legal certainty, investor confidence, and the long-term competitiveness of high-tax jurisdictions.”
From April 2025, the United Kingdom has abolished its long-standing non-domicile regime, replacing it with a residence-based tax system that eliminates the remittance basis for foreign income and gains. Long-term residents will now face global taxation, including inheritance tax, and reduced protections for offshore trusts. Simultaneously, U.S. citizens receiving gifts or bequests from expatriates will face a 40 percent tax under new IRS rules, while Spain and Colombia have formalized temporary wealth taxes as permanent national obligations.
“This is not just about new tax rules—it’s about a philosophical shift,” Casaburi explained. “Tax residency, wealth mobility, and global citizenship are converging like never before. High-net-worth individuals are increasingly exposed, and that requires forward-looking planning.”
The report warns that the return of wealth taxes may be gaining political momentum but remains legally and operationally fragile. Several OECD countries have either repealed such taxes or faced constitutional challenges—such as in Germany and the Netherlands—due to double taxation, inefficiency, and property rights concerns. The EU Tax Observatory’s proposed global 2 percent billionaire tax, as well as UN-led initiatives for wealth-based levies, further signal a shift in global thinking, though no consensus yet exists on implementation models.
“Wealth taxes are notoriously difficult to enforce without triggering unintended consequences,” Casaburi said. “Without careful design, they can lead to capital erosion, legal disputes, and ultimately drive mobile wealth and talent to jurisdictions that offer more stable frameworks.”
According to Global Citizen Solutions, HNWIs are responding predictably: accelerating wealth transfers, restructuring assets, and increasingly using strategic residency and citizenship tools to protect mobility and long-term financial security.
“Residency and citizenship are no longer just about lifestyle,” Casaburi added. “They’re now essential elements of global wealth strategy.”
The full analysis, “Analyzing Global Shifts and Practical Challenges of Wealth and Exit Taxes,” is now available through Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit here: https://www.globalcitizensolutions.com/intelligence-unit/analyses/analyzing-global-shifts-and-practical-challenges-of-wealth-and-exit-taxes
About Global Citizen Solutions:
Global Citizen Solutions is a leading consultancy specializing in residency and citizenship by investment, real estate, and global mobility. With a data-driven approach, the firm provides tailored solutions to individuals and families seeking international relocation, wealth diversification, and global access.
