Whitepapers & Guides

39 Steps to Smart Living in the UK

Whether you are a US family with complex trusts and estates that move into seven figures, or just starting out on your investment journey, read our guide to the most common complexities associated with having a financial life that spans both the US and the UK.

39 Steps for Moving to the US

Planning the American dream or staying for the long haul, as a British family living across the pond, almost nothing related to your financial affairs is easy. Read our guide to the most common complexities associated with having a financial life that spans both the UK and the US.

Foreign exchange – the invisible risk

The art of managing risk is a delicate balance. For US citizens living abroad risk management needs to go beyond the classic issues of retirement planning: How much money will I need? How long do I need to work? Expats need also to ask: Do I understand the foreign exchange risk lurking in my portfolios?

Challenges facing US citizens living in the UK

A comprehensive overview of challenges high and ultra high net worth US families living in the UK face when it comes to allocating and investing their assets – from IRS and HMRC dual reporting requirements to conflicting tax considerations.

Principles of Investing for American Citizens Living in the UK

Beginning your investment journey as an American citizen living in the UK can seem daunting. Whether learning to drive on the opposite side of the road or clarifying how His Majesty will tax your US investments, living in the UK can pose a unique set of challenges. Without the guidance of an experienced advisor or a playbook for dealing with those challenges, it can be very easy to succumb to inertia when thinking about important financial decisions.

Planning for Inheritance Tax as an American in the UK

For persons with connections to the US and the UK, the subject of inheritance tax is one that can be very important due to the large differential in the nil rate inheritance tax bands available in the UK as compared to the US. A lack of understanding about how inheritance tax works can end up costing beneficiaries hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars.

US and UK Social Security Benefits

US Social Security and UK State Pension benefits often form a cornerstone of an individual’s retirement planning strategy providing a foundational source of income that will supplement other retirement savings. However, they can be difficult to navigate for expat individuals.

Do you own PFIC investments?

Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs) form part of the 1986 IRS tax reforms that closed loopholes being used to protect offshore investments from taxation. The 1986 tax reforms not only sought to close the loophole, but also to bring such offshore investments under US taxation and deter US taxpayers’ interest in such investments through punitive tax rates.

US mutual funds are bad for your wealth

An easy-to-follow guide for Americans living in the UK who seek to invest for international diversification and transparency without potentially onerous tax liabilities.

Planning For A Property Purchase As A US Person In The UK

As with other financial decisions, Americans often have additional areas of consideration when purchasing a property in the UK.

5 C’s of Lending

One very simple framework that can be used for this purpose is called the five C’s of lending. The five C’s stand for character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions. Within our latest whitepaper, we take a closer look at each one.

When it comes to lending money, it is essential to have a set of criteria that you use to determine whether or not a loan is a good idea. This criteria will help you assess the risk of default and make sure that you are lending to people who are likely to repay the loan.

Considerations for US citizens taking UK pension distributions

As an American living in the UK, there are several considerations when taking distributions from your UK pension.

Charitable Giving

Putting a coherent strategy around charitable giving can be an important part of an individual’s Wealth Plan. If giving strategies are among actionable priorities, it is important to identify tax-efficient ways to achieve your charitable objectives.

Top Tips for Personal Finance

As an American living in the UK, almost nothing related to your financial affairs is easy. The consequences of seemingly simple decisions – such as how to pay for a new home or purchase a mutual fund – may create unnecessary tax charges and complexities.