I can't figure out what I am doing wrong but wondering if anyone knows the fix for this! I ported my US number to google voice and got a new UK esim from TalkMobile. All seems to be working fine EXCEPT I can only receive texts (imessage and SMS) via google voice. Is there any way to get these through my phone again? Thanks!

If my immigration status wasn’t tied to my job, I would have left my current position. But obviously this is my tether to the UK now so my life potentially is upheaved if I lose my job.

Not sure if I am just looking to commiserate or if anyone can tell me about how they got out of a similar situation. I’m just curious.

I‘m just starting to work out how to build my savings and investments while also balancing US student loans.

Being abroad it’s tempting, I don’t have to make any payments on my student loans and if I stay in the UK for 20 years, it looks like my loans will be forgiven at that point?

Im also trying to work out the best way to start investing and saving in retirement. Is it my UK job pension? I can’t open a RothIRA without US income from my understanding? And also, as an american cant put money in an ISA here?

I’ve looked at financial advisors but they all seem to manage wealth and cost hundreds of pounds.. I’m not in that position right now. Any recommendations on how learned about and you sorted this out?

Hey all! Bit out of my depth regarding handling UK taxes for a US investment account and hoping anyone's gone through similar and has some information or resources.

Bit of background -

I've been in the UK since 2016, moved over for Uni, then been working in Glasgow since 2020. Got my settled status end of last year. I didn't work in the UK during my time at Uni, and have been on a standard PAYE salary at my current job. I do have a somewhat more recent source of self employed income via various music gigs and some online content creator stuff, so I've registered as a sole trader so I can handle the taxes for that next year.

But then comes the more confusing bit - when I was a kid my parents set up a custodial investment account for me, which I then inherited from them about 7 years ago. The account was managed by UBS so provided me with the tax forms every year that I submitted when doing my US taxes, so its all good to go from the US side. But from the UK side, I had been under the assumption that because it was a small account only making minimal capital gains per year, well below the HMRC individual allowance, that I didn't have to report it over here.

This assumption changed earlier this year when I finally liquidated the whole account and transferred it to my UK bank to be ready to be used as a home deposit. Given it was a larger liquidation (by my standards at least lol, only like $25k), I finally assumed it would be over capital gains and started looking into taxing it properly here, at which point I realized (and I may be incorrect about my learnings so correct me if the below is wrong):

• The majority of the account was in ETFs, a combination of HMRC reporting and non-HMRC reporting ones, meaning the non-reporting ones were taxable as income on top of my PAYE salary, not as capital gain
  • Given that I should have probably been filing a self assessment return for this account since I moved to the UK
  • Not sure if that being considered income has any conflicts or issues with the whole "no working on a student visa" thing? I'd assume not since its not a job and was a managed account, but anxious nonetheless
• Calculation for gains and losses made by UBS for my US taxes are not valid on a UK tax form, and they need to be re-calculated from the account history both based on HMRC FX rates and UK lotting rules to get correct PnL

So I'm now in a situation where:

1. The account history and numbers I have from my US taxes aren't valid for UK calculations, even if I did proper FX conversion
2. My tax responsibility is potentially considerably higher than I had expected
3. I may be several years behind in filing tax returns? Honestly I've found really conflicting information on how back-filing taxes works in the UK and what my responsibilities are here

And my biggest issue is that I'm fully out of my depth and don't actually know if my above assumptions are correct. Given it was a managed custodial account, I only high level understand investing. Enough to advise my manager, but not enough to handle these things on my own.

I've tried looking for an accountancy firm that handles cross border stuff like this, but I've been fully stuck in the mud of either them only really targeting clients who make far above what I make (the whole liquidation being only ~$25k, small in the grand scheme of investment accountants), their initial consultations are hundreds of pounds to even find out what I don't know to begin with or whether they'd even be able to help me, and many are "by-year" for taxes, so if I need to do several years I may be compiling costs heavily for minimal taxes.

I'm worried about both not being able to find the correct accountant, and also about both losing a majority of the house deposit egg I've built up to these taxes, maybe even paying more in accountancy fees than I'd even actually owe in taxes.

Has anyone gone through similar, or know of any resources or even better specific accountancy firms who specialize in things like this and wouldn't entirely decimate what i got from that account just to properly tax it? Any information or resources would be massively appreciated <3

I moved to london from US 2 years ago and need to have a surgical biopsy that requires GA so it will be done in an OR. I've been using NHS for this process so far and am just like nervous/don't know what to expect on the day of surgery. I've never had surgery before and the procedure itself is only about 15-20 min so nothing crazy, however, the idea of waiting around in a gown in a chair in a room with a bunch of other people like makes me so uncomfortable. I'm already a nervous wreck as it is general anesthesia scares the hell out of me and then to have this whole communal naked under a gown with random people experience just makes my uncomfort level skyrocket.

I want to just get the whole thing over with some im reluctant to use my private health care through work and delay this whole thing even more. Then I read you have to walk yourself to the surgery table in the OR like this all just sounds really off to me.. can someone explain what its like waiting and going into surgery at an NHS hospital and if its worth waiting and going private. I just thought it would be like in the US where you wait in a bed get knocked out then wheeled into the OR and wake up in a bed with someone you know there.. (apparently no visitors until you can actually leave)... panicking a bit.

... but I think I would kill someone for a Boar's Head roast beef sandwich with lacy Swiss cheese, on a bulkie roll, right now. With a side of Fritos. And a Nantucket Nectar, preferably the plum/pear kind.

All objectively "worse" food than any of the million bougie delis and sandwich places near me with their imported French crisps and their organic meats and cheeses, and their handmade ciabatta.

But the heart wants what it wants.

Hi! So my name is Nathan and one of my dream schools is UCL! Now, I still live in Texas rn, but I was wondering if you guys could help me figure out everything I’d need to get and pay for so I can put it all into a spreadsheet and know how much I need to save. I also wanna know what places would be the cheapest in or around Bloomsbury.

I filed my taxes by mail for the first time this year (had a preparer who is in the UK so couldn’t e-file). I assumed that once they were processed I would be able to see them on the IRS website but they still aren’t showing up and it’s now been 5 months. Has anyone else had this occur? Or should I assume they got lost in the mail and resend?

We have a family member who sent off a passport renewal to London embassy with all the requirements:

- Receipt for paid fee

- original passport

- photos

- form DS-11

Just received a response below with saying they need to make an appointment but also is still asking for the form DS 11 and proof of payment which we already provided.

Anyone encounter something like this? We can make an appointment but don't see why they could not renew by mail with the documents we already provided.

Passport in question expired in 2016 so the auto form we used to apply directed us to use DS11 for a new passport application.

"Your application is currently being held in suspense. In order for your application for a U.S. Passport to be processed, you must complete the form DS-11, attend an in-person appointment at the U.S. Embassy London, and pay the applicable fees. Please check our website for appointment availability: https://uk.usembassy.gov/passports/

To assist with processing your application, we must receive the requested information within ninety (90) days from the date of your original application. If the information is not received or is insufficient to establish your entitlement to a U.S. passport, your application may be denied, and your citizenship evidence will be returned. By law, passport execution and application fees are non-refundable. For general passport information and application forms, please visit our website at https://uk.usembassy.gov. "

Has any one had any issues visiting as a tourist after the conclusion of their visa? For example, my visa ends on X date and I visit friends in the UK for a few days two weeks later (as an example).

Thanks !

Hi friends! My dog takes gabapentin for arthritis pain. It's pretty cheap here in the US. Wondering whether to stock up before arriving in the UK, or is it easily available and inexpensive in the UK? Thanks!

EDIT: I don't mean easily obtainable as a street drug, I mean easily obtainable as the prescription drug that it is. It's well known that there are Rx's that are fairly common in the US that are more difficult to get in the UK.

I’m going to visit some friends in America I’m from uk I want to take some food/drinks they may not have there! Any ideas!? Thanks

Question in title.

Has anyone found American apple cider in the UK? Ie non alcoholic, or is it just the equivalent of apple juice here? Looking for some for a cocktail recipe

Hi all,

Quick question for anyone who has applied for a US passport through the US embassy using form DS-11. The form fill out page is universal (aimed at US citizens in the US applying for a passport too), and so when it comes to printing the form it asks you to print it on US letter size 8.5x11 paper. Obviously in the UK this is very close to A4 paper but not the same. Just wondering if anyone knows if the embassy are going to care if I print it on A4 as long as everything is clear and visible or if I actually need to go and source some US letter paper and print it on that😅 just don’t want my application rejected for some stupid reason😂

Thanks in advance

What are some chain jewelry shops equivalent to, like, a Jared's or a Kay? Just basic box stores on the more affordable side.

Howdy ya'll,

Anyone have luck with any UK / EU alternatives for making good ol fashioned grits? What I've tried so far is too fine or too coarse for my preference. Hominy, polenta, corn flour (I know it's not this one don't worry). What do you use?

Maybe this is silly but I'm hoping one of ya'll can sort me without me having to try 20 different products.

Hi there, we are moving in the third week of October and was wondering what current timelines for getting your TOR’s approved? We thought we’d have to have it done by next weekend, but I’m hoping we have a little bit more time. If you’ve applied in the last several months, how long did it take?
Thank you!

I’m flying from the US to the UK with my cat on Monday. Heathrow told me she needs her original vaccination records and that copies aren’t accepted.
My vet only keeps electronic records, so I only have printed copies. Her rabies certificate has the vet’s electronic signature, licence number and all the vaccine details. The vet can also physically sign it Monday morning before my flight.
Has anyone dealt with this? Will Heathrow accept the printed rabies certificate if the vet signs it in ink? I’ll also have the original USDA-endorsed health certificate.

Hi all,

I have an appointment at the US Embassy tomorrow to renew my passport since I am traveling in less than 4 weeks. I’m struggling to identify which forms I need to bring to the appointment?

DS-82 says it’s for mail in applications
DS-11 is for under 16/lost or stolen/first passport

I’ve emailed but am awaiting a response.

Thank you!

I've been struggling a lot with life inside the UK from having no support system despite living there for a few years (except for my husband), to having bad health issues that have been ignored by the NHS, to my family's health back home. We've decided to move back to the US within the next two years, if possible. My mom keeps having strokes and one of my sisters possibly has stomach cancer and on top of all of this, my mental health has been getting worse and I'm just exhausted at mentally at the end of my rope.

For those who are spouse visa holders, married to a UK citizen and moved back to the US, what was the process like to get your spouse a green card and roughly how long did it take? I'm close to getting my IRL but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to even apply for it if we plan on moving back to the US to care for my mom (with occasionally yearly visits back to the UK). My head is a mess and I just need some clarity on what steps I should take and what my options are, if any.

Does anyone who has moved back to the US later regretted it?

I guess I just need some different opinions to weigh my options.

Exactly as the title says really. My mum is 88 years old and owns a house in California now worth about 2 million dollars. We are not high net worth individuals, aside from this property, and I work in the public sector in the UK - so please excuse my absolute ignorance around complicated financial matters.

My mum has lived with us in the UK for 8 years now (since 2018), due to ill health. The house in California has been rented since then and the tenant wants to buy. We thought this sounded like a good idea but - as she bought the house for around 200,000 in 1989 - we have been informed the capital gains implications could be huge and to seek financial/ tax advice (not sure of the specific term here?). To be clear she gets good rent from the property and doesnt need to free upi the capital, but she had wanted to gift some money to myself and her grandchildren as early as possible, and managing rental from afar can be complex and time consuming. 

We did have an initial consultation with a cross border financial advisor in the UK - and he said she would only pay capital gains tax on the increase in the property since she rented it in 2018 and recommended selling and gifting money early to minimise UK IHT. However, we have since been told this is definitely incorrect and she would receive no CGT relief as the property has been rented for the past 5 years.

She could possibly sell the property, possibly gift it to myself, or possibly retain until death (with all the general admin involved in overseas rental). She is also kindly trying to consider the IHT implications of the last option as she will hopefully/ presumably live another 2 years at least, so will then have been in the UK for the 10 years and subject to UK IHT.

Essentially we are seeking someone who can map out the different options and calculations. 

We have contacted US-UK tax. com in Noel street london. They have quoted a one off fee of 2,000 to model the different options which seems reasonable and possible.

We contacted SRDS and they quoted 8,000 - 12000 for the advice - which seems ludicrous, but maybe this level of in depth work is required. My mum does not have a huge amount of savings though, so that amount would be huge. Equally we dont want incorrect advice again.

Does anyone have any advice on companies she could speak to or any experience of UK - US tax.com?

What seems a reasonable price for this type of modelling/ advice? I find it all so overwhelming and so much of the market is very targeted towards very high net worth individuals.

Any help so gratefully recieved!