expat network

Where Should Expats In The USA Place Their Pension?

Where should expats in the USA place their pension? British expats resident in the US may be tempted to place their retirement savings in overseas pension schemes. But would they be better off with a UK based scheme? By Mark James Many British expats, who are now living in the US, may request transferring their UK...

Can I Send Money Back To The UK Untaxed?

Am I right in thinking that, as long as fewer than 90 days is spent in the UK in a tax year, then overseas earnings may be repatriated to the UK without attracting UK tax? Am I also right that these repatriated earnings may NOT be used for investment in individual savings accounts (ISAs)? Adam...

Predicting The Foreign Exchange Market

There are numerous options that can help you minimise the impact of adverse exchange rate movements on your funds transfer. Nobody can accurately predict future exchange rates consistently and people should be very wary of dealers who claim they can. While keeping in touch with exchange rate fluctuations is important, most people will be better...

Do Holidays Count Towards Residence?

Someone who looks after my affairs has told me that days on holiday overseas are not classed as working, so these days are counted as being in the UK. This means I can spend much less time back in the UK if I want to remain non-resident. Is this correct? Adam Thompson, tax manager of...

Don’t Renounce Your US Citizenship Yet

While filing US taxes can be confusing, cumbersome and downright frustrating, renouncing your citizenship isn’t always the answer. Before you race down to your local US embassy, take a look at five reasons you may not want to hand over your passport. 1. Renouncing isn’t free In years past, the State Department charged a...

The Currency Challenge

As a globe-trotting expat you have many financial matters to monitor – particularly your taxes. But you must also cope with spending and saving in foreign currencies, writes Iain Yule. The itinerant expat needs to juggle a number of currencies quickly, efficiently and cheaply. So a number of offshore banks have...

Ten US Tax Tips For Americans Living Abroad

There are an estimated 8.7 million Americans living overseas and more than half fail to file their US tax return each year. Perhaps they don’t know they need to file or, more likely, it’s too overwhelming to attempt. But we are here to tell you that it doesn’t need to be this way. Follow these...

U.S. Expats: How To Handle Delinquent Tax Returns

US citizens and residents living abroad are still required to annually file a US tax return and pay taxes on their worldwide income. US taxpayers, who have not filed US tax returns each year, are considered delinquent and can face potential civil and criminal penalties from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). By Anthony N...

US Expats: Learn About The Statement Of Specified Foreign Financial Assets

In an effort to curb tax dodging by United States citizens with foreign assets, Congress passed The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act. The act imposes a new reporting requirement for foreign financial assets, in addition to the requirement of filing an FBAR. The new law applies to specified persons with specified foreign financial assets which...

tax savvy

I Want To Be UK Tax Resident

In February 2015 I received my UK residence permit.  I am married to a UK resident and now live in the UK.  I own a holding company based in Canada from which I earn dividends. I have not received any dividend income since arriving in the UK and I have filed my 2014 return with...

Five Things American Expats Need To Know About Foreign Bank Account Reporting

If you live abroad, chances are you have heard about FBAR and FATCA—but do you really know what they are and whether or not you need to file? It’s important that you fully understand because the penalties for failing to file if required can be steep! So let’s take a look at the five things...

Contractor Or Company?

I have (I think uniquely) been paid like an employee by my company as I travel between international assignments. They say they can no longer do this. Can I remain UK non-resident and would it be better to bill them directly as a contractor or set up a UK company to manage my finances? Adam...