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Be Tax Savvy: File Early In 2020

GoSimpleTax recommend that you submit your tax return in April. Filing just short of the deadline can be a dangerous game. HMRC is under pressure, you may not have the documents you need, and it doesn’t leave you much time to save for your tax bill. Filing in April, on the other hand, solves the...

APRIL International Care Joins The Telehealth Revolution

APRIL International Care has announced the launch of a new TeleHEALTH service via their popular app. Through a partnership with Teladoc Health, policyholders can now request a phone consultation with a qualified medical practitioner via the APRIL Easy Claim app, whether it is for a simple consultation or to request a second medical opinion. ...

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...

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.