Moving to the UK

Finding your way around a new place takes time, patience and (ideally) a helping hand. Sure, you can buy a map – but a clued-up local will definitely get you further. Think of this episode as your personal guide to the complex US/UK landscape, and get your ducks in a row so that when you cross the pond, a nasty tax bill doesn’t follow.Our experts discuss the key tax and legal steps for US citizens when planning a move to the UK, including:- Step one: Applying for a visa – choosing the right visa option for you and the importance of timing.- Step two: Pre-arrival planning – domicile and residence, the remittance basis, and legal factors.- Step three: Arriving in the UK – the basics of US/UK tax, legal documentation and wills.- Step four: Staying in the UK – indefinite leave to remain, permanent residency and US connections.SpeakersScott Barber, Partner at Buzzacott, a top 20 UK accountancy firm based in London, which specialises in US and UK tax, financial planning, business services and audit. Scott has over 25 years’ experience both in the US, his country of birth, and the UK where he has settled, dealing with expatriate tax issues. Scott helps to iron out the complex cross-border tax regulations and is also able to help senior executives working in financial services and owner-managed businesses with temporary or longer-term relocations.Martin Scullion, Partner at Buzzacott, is a dual qualified US and UK tax advisor who looks after a wide range of clients with US/UK tax issues. His clients come from a variety of backgrounds and include non-doms, US citizens, US green card holders and US residents. Martin also acts as an adviser to a number of trust companies, providing US/UK tax advice and compliance services to trustees, settlors and beneficiaries of offshore trusts. George Mitchell, Partner at Forsters, a leading London law firm providing legal advice to clients principally drawn from the real estate and private wealth sectors. George advises UK and international individuals, families and trustees on a broad range of tax, trust and estate issues. George regularly advises international clients on remittance basis planning, the establishment and taxation of investment holding structures, and succession planning for those with interests in multiple jurisdictions.Lucie Bennett, Associate at Forsters, acts for both UK based and international clients on a broad range of estate planning and personal taxation matters. Much of her experience has an international dimension and she has a particular interest in advising clients in relation to US/UK cross-border matters, especially on the development and implementation of integrated estate plans. Plan your next stepIf you’re a US citizen living in the UK or you’re planning to move here, there are a number of important life stages you need to plan for. With a good plan and the right advice, you’ll be ready for any challenge or opportunity life might throw at you in the UK. Stepping Stones brings together leading advisers from various areas of expertise, to provide you with the need-to-knows for each step of your unique journey in the UK.