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What Do I Have To Do To Complete My Renunciation Of US Citizenship?

One of the members of the Expat Network community asked the following question about his duties to file to complete his renunciation of his US citizenship and we asked Greenback Expat Tax Services to respond to his query. Question: I renounced my US citizenship on January 17, 2019. Since moving to Europe in 2010, I...

Do I Have To File US Tax Return From Abroad?

I am an American citizen who has lived in Mexico for 20 years. An accountant told me that if I spend only 30 days out of the US a year, I don’t have to pay federal income tax. Is this true? If it is, then do I have to file a tax return every year?...

Free Healthcare After A Move To Spain?

As a couple we are considering a move to Spain. I am 57 and eight years in from breast cancer, and my husband is 69 with a pacemaker. We are just starting to look and wanted any advice you can give. Andrew Apps of expat financial advisers Bellwood Prestbury answered this question. As an expat,...

Tax On A Move Back To Canada?

I am a Canadian non-resident in the Czech Republic. I plan to return to Canada in two years’ time to finish working and eventually retire. I filed a T1 General form for 2015 as I had a small amount of interest income from a bank account I hold in Canada. Must I always report interest...

Should I Bank Offshore?

I want to set up an offshore bank account as I have been an expat for many years and have been told this would be a good place to keep my savings. Can you help? Stuart Ritchie, Chartered Financial Planner & Chartered Wealth Manager with expat financial advisers AES International, answered this question. I believe...

Puzzles Over Expat Pension

I am unsure if my overseas pension (QROPS) is free from UK inheritance tax? It seems the case if you remain offshore, but is a bit grey if you come back to the UK – even after five years away. Stuart Ritchie, Chartered Financial Planner & Chartered Wealth Manager with expat financial advisers AES International,...

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.