USA move
 

Hi there,

My wife and I are moving to the states early June. Needless to say, very stressful few weeks coming up so I wanted to see if anyone had any advice on the below -

1. Relocation costs - does anyone on the forum recommend any removalist? I have already scheduled few people to come over have a look / give us a quote but I still wanted to get some advice from the forum in terms of what to look out for, questions to ask, how much does a standard 2 bedroom unit move would cost (Sydney to San Francisco).

2. I am Australian citizen but my wife is PR. Could anyone let me know what is the process of ensuring her PR is not taken away?

3. Tax -> NO expert on this. Australian year is July to June whilst US tax year is Jan to December. If I move first week of June, that would mean I would be tax resident in Australia (July 09 - June 10 year) as well as USA ( Jan 10 to Dec 10 ? is that correct). In this scenario how do they work out the dual tax treaty benefit?

4. Is it work taking electronics to the States like Plasma etc? Does it work there?

Any help would be appreciated. I know the some aspects of my post may better be asked on the US forum but if I can get a start here, I will ask the remainder on the US forum.

Thanks in advance.

Re: USA move
 

1. ??
2. ??
3. Australia and the US have a tax treaty. Depending on your exact circumstances, you pay taxes in only one country. As a note, Federal wage taxes are less in the US, but depending which state you live in, you may need to pay an additional state wage tax.
4. Voltage and plugs are different. You will need to buy a voltage regulator($40) and cut the end of the plugs off and splice another. Some DVD players won't work in the US.

You will also find out food, automobiles, appliances, clothing is MUCH cheaper in the US. Housing prices varies depending what part of the country you live in.

Re: USA move
 

3. Thanks. I am moving to NoCal. I realize I pay tax in one country but was more so wondering how it all works given the tax years are not the same (Jul to Jun vs Jan to Dec).

4. So plasma is fine?

Yes, Been there few times and I definitely think things are cheaper in the US.

Re: USA move
 

Re number 1 Do not use New York International Shipping seemed very efficient and easily contactable. As soon as something went wrong they didn't want to know hung up on us didn't reply to emails and generally gave us the run around.
We paid $6500 US for a 4bed house full packing etc don’t know if it’ll help.
They did give us a very competitive quote but I guess you get what you pay for
They subbed the work out to NOBEL Van Lines in Miami who were not very good, the foreman spent more time trying to get extra money out of us than anything else stating our stuff wouldn’t fit etc and at the end I was surrounded in the garage by the four of them demanding and I mean DEMANDING a tip. We complained to NY INT Shipping about this and several other aspects but got nowhere.
Definitely would not use either company again.:frown::frown::frown:

Re number 2 Can’t help I’m afraid.

Re number 3 We moved from UK and had a similar situation but they classed us as being in the US that tax year which was actually beneficial to us.:thumbup:

Re number 4 US is 120 volt so most electrical things won’t work there without a voltage converter which you can buy. On the plus side most TV's and electrics are much cheaper in the US. When we were returning to the UK I was told by Samsung US that my LCD TV bought in US would work using a voltage converter and run through a skybox or other digital box,(LIARS) needless to say it didn’t. I then spoke to Samsung UK who stated it would not work HO HUM:confused::confused::confused:

Re: USA move
 

hmmmm...maybe I shouldn't have responded. I moved in the opposite direction - from US to Australia! LOL

3. From Jan to Dec I report all my earnings to the IRS. From July to June I report all my earnings to ATO. I abided by the US side of the treaty, so my comments probably don't mean much to you!

4. Not sure about the plasma. I brought some smaller appliances(electric toothbrush, blowdryer, coffee maker, etc) from the US to Australia. I cut the plugs, attached new ones and connected the regulator....everything works ok.

Re: USA move
 

If your wife is eligible for Australian citizenship she should get it before she leaves.

The remainng questions would probably receive better replies in the US Lifestyle forum, but as you say ou are asking them in there anyway, I will move this post to Aus Lifestyle :)

Re: USA move
 

Thanks, what was your "From" and "To" move. We are moving Sydney to North California.

Re: USA move
 

I don't think so she is. I am calling today to confirm but she is short of the 4 year mandatory 'physical' presence test by 6 months I think.

Say she is not eligible, what are the options? Does she have to reapply or can renew every few years or what is the deal?

Re: USA move
 

1. Relocation costs - does anyone on the forum recommend any removalist? I have already scheduled few people to come over have a look / give us a quote but I still wanted to get some advice from the forum in terms of what to look out for, questions to ask, how much does a standard 2 bedroom unit move would cost (Sydney to San Francisco).

USA is cheaper comparitively australia. However cost of living in california is ver high. You will get tow bedroom apratmet unfurnished for $1200 and you need to sign for 6 to one Year lease. You dont require any reference to get a rental apartment.. $5000 to 1000 is more than sufficient if you are offered a job



2. I am Australian citizen but my wife is PR. Could anyone let me know what is the process of ensuring her PR is not taken away?


It is better to get a australian passport for her and move to usa else she has to apply for RRV in future

3. Tax -> NO expert on this. Australian year is July to June whilst US tax year is Jan to December. If I move first week of June, that would mean I would be tax resident in Australia (July 09 - June 10 year) as well as USA ( Jan 10 to Dec 10 ? is that correct). In this scenario how do they work out the dual tax treaty benefit?

If you are residing More than 90 days outside the australia you dont have pay the tax to australian government for overseas earned income.USA tax return benefits more. For tax retun they count it for jan2010 even if u land in june. So you would get handsome return for 2010 for first bringing family,laptop, etc.

4. Is it work taking electronics to the States like Plasma etc? Does it work there?

I would say no. Becaue in usa you getall electronic goods much cheaper. Australia it costs thrice.It is better to aviod tension and electronic goods.

Any help would be appreciated. I know the some aspects of my post may better be asked on the US forum but if I can get a start here, I will ask the remainder on the US forum.

Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]

Re: USA move
 

USA is cheaper comparitively australia. However cost of living in california is ver high. You will get tow bedroom apratmet unfurnished for $1200 and you need to sign for 6 to one Year lease. You dont require any reference to get a rental apartment.. $5000 to 1000 is more than sufficient if you are offered a job.
We are in touch with a few apartment rentals and the cost would be ~1500-1600 a month. No problems there given the area we are targeting. What do you mean by “$5000 to 1000 is more than sufficient if you are offered a job.”

If you are residing More than 90 days outside the australia you dont have pay the tax to australian government for overseas earned income.USA tax return benefits more.

Ok, so that means I have no liability for tax to Australian government for the year July 2010 to June 2011.

For tax retun they count it for jan2010 even if u land in june. So you would get handsome return for 2010 for first bringing family,laptop, etc.

Ok, that’s fine. So for the USA tax return for Jan 2010 to Dec 2010 my income from June 2010 to Dec 2010 will be taxed. What about the income in Australia from Jan 2010 to May 2010?

For example per my understanding – end the end of June 2010, I will fine tax return to Australian Tax. T he income included will be from July 2009 to May 2009.
I then move and work in USA from June 2010 to Dec 2010. I pay tax to USA on what income? Just USA or USA (June 10 to Dec 10) + Aus (Jan 10 to May 10). If the later I assume I get tax credits for what I paid to Australian Tax for that period?

It’s very important for me to know so I can start getting my documents / pay slips etc from here ready.

Also what do you mean by "So you would get handsome return for 2010 for first bringing family,laptop, etc."

Thanks

Re: USA move
 

She would need to look into the rules for Resident Return Visas, but she may be at risk of losing her PR, in which case you would need to sponsor her for a Spouse Visa if you come back in the future.

Re: USA move
 

I could apply it for her before we leave. We own a house here and significant equity investments.

Re: USA move
 

You can't apply for an RRV until her PR expires as far as I'm aware but if she's only six months off from citizenship and you have the house etc there shouldn't be a problem with her getting it.

Re: USA move
 

Hey E3only,

We moved from Milton Keynes UK to Miami US, then Miami to Brighton UK.
Now moving from Brighton to Sydney.:thumbup:
Then hopefully we'll stay put for a long long while (hopefully).:fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed::finge rscrossed:

We absolutely loved South Florida and were gutted when we had to leave at the end of our work visa's.

Good luck with the move:):)

Re: USA move
 

Just out of curiosity... how did you guys all manage to move to the US anyway? I thought it was nigh-on impossible unless you married a US citizen or were lucky enough to get an inter-company transfer (and prove no Americans could do your job)...?? :blink:

Re: USA move
 

Yes that's the way we went inter company transfer.

Unfortunately we got the wrong visa L instead of H. After 3yrs applied and got 2 year extension but after 5 years had to go, there appeared no way to change to a different visa even throwing money at immigration lawyers will not help.

Absolutely loved South Florida while we were there, and if there was any way to get back we would.:(:(:(

Re: USA move
 

We are Ozzies in Silicon Valley.

!. Wtih regards to taxes, you will need to file tax returns in Australia for the period ending 30 Jun 2010. You will file taxes in the US for the period 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2010. They will take into account what period you were in the USA and what taxes you paid on your foreign investments. Remember going forward you will have to declare all your dividends etc. from your Australian investments on your US tax return and to pay US tax on them. I would suggest you get yourself a tax agent as soon as you get here and don't bother trying to do it yourself. Don't waste your time with H&R Block.

2. Appliances, don't bother bringing any of them. Make your life easy and get rid of them in Oz. Buy new locally, less stress of shipping them and if something goes wrong you can get it fixed. Think a plasma is only about $500 here.

Re: USA move
 

She has PR that expires in 2013 however on the Immi website it says one should apply for RRV 'before' they leave Australia?

Re: USA move
 

Hi there, visa is taken care of. Company has sponsored.

Re: USA move
 

Hi, appreciate that.

I have a home year which we will rent out, at least initially, and make a rental loss on it (very common to have -ve income on rental property as it can be set off against salary income here).

It sounds logical that in US they would tax me for Jan10 to Dec 10. Does that mean they will tax me for Australian Income Jan-10 to May-10 and USA income June 10-Dec 10?

Re: USA move
 

You have to declare all the income you earn for the calendar year, regardless of where you were resident. You will need to know how many days you were resident in California/US as they use that to calculate your liability.

BTW depending on salary, you may or may not be able to take a deduction for a loss on your rental property. You have to realise deductions phase out for high income earners.

Re: USA move
 

Thanks,

I believe the the max allowance for overseas rental loss is $25,000 BUT is reduced by 50% of the amount by which AGI (with certain other adjustments) exceeds $100,000 (assuming married filing joint). - thanks to USA forum

So, if my income married filed joint is 105k then my max allowance would be 25k-5k/2 = 25k-2.5k = 22.5k ?

Re: USA move
 

Cars are cheaper, Appliances are cheaper, but make sure your employer is not making you work 24-7. If you are going to work for a multinational you should be ok, but smaller companies tend to make you work a lot more.

I have not worked in Australia, but can for a fact tell you about US work culture-work never stops. I am not complaining but you are a work machine-pretty much. Vacation allowances are shorter and Medical contributions are atleast 200 dollars a month.

On the other side, enjoy your new adventure-its a beautiful country.

Re: USA move
 

Thanks a lot. I will be working for a multi national. Working hours are going to be standard although there will be pain earlier in the month. That is no different (professionall) from Australia.

Insurance will be 250+ for a couple (North Cali tends to be more expensive - PPO plan).

Vacation time has been negotiated so happy with that.

I can not wait!

Re: USA move
 

:)

Good luck ..we will be moving Down under in a few months...

Re: USA move
 

From and TO ?

Re: USA move
 

In order to be allowed back in. However she still has three years left on her PR so she's not entitled to an RRV. I think there are instances where you can apply for an RRV out of the country but it's generally intended for people living here who chose not to get citizenship but need to travel after the PR expires.

Re: USA move
 

I'm married to an Australian - I had permanent resident status about 6 months before we packed up and moved back to Canada. When it was about to expire - 5yrs later - I applied for the Return Resident Visa and it was granted, giving me another 5yr permanent resident visa. I was in Canada at the time (we just returned to OZ in Feb - 7yrs after we left)

I wrote a letter on why I thought I should be given the RRV and allowed to maintain my permanent resident status. Just read the rules to applying for the RRV.

I also got Australian citizenship while still living in Canada.

So it can be done!

As for cost for moving your stuff to the US, I would probably figure on about 5000-10000. We moved our stuff from Canada to Townsville (still waiting on it to get here, been almost 4 months) and its cost us around the 10,000 mark.

Re: USA move
 

Thanks. Just a couple of questions please.

1. You mentioned you moved to Canada and moved back to AU did you? How did you manage to get citizenship whlie in Canada? DId you satisfy the 4 year rule (physically to be in Australia)?

2. 10k for shipping from Canada to Townsville would probably be equal distance for Sydney to San Fran. In any case, could you tell me what stuff you go? I am looking to move 2 bedroom unit so it will be couch (3 seater + 2 seater + ott), dining table, bed, side tables, centre table, utensils, clothes, home decor etc. Did you do a shared container? Did you have insurance and was it included in the 10k?

Let us know. Cheers

Re: USA move
 

from USA to Sydney

Re: USA move
 

If you meet the requirements for a 5 year RRV you will be granted one however much time remains on your existing visa.

However, you wouldn't want a situation where DIAC grant, whether by ignorance or otherwise, a 3 month RRV to replace a visa that had longer to run.

Re: USA move
 

Thanks for that. So I think it's just wise to wait November 2013 (when it expires), but just wanted to be sure that we can apply from outside?

Also, if we have regular visits here every year or so does that help. Is there such a thing as visiting here say every 15 months (so 2-3 times before it expires) and just renew it or you have to have physical presence or something to just renew the PR?

Re: USA move
 

I spent a total of 3.5yrs in OZ on various visas - ie. prospective spouse, temporary spouse and then permanent resident, which I got 6 months before moving back home. Technically, I don't think (but I really don't know) if I did meet the rule of how much time is spent in OZ to be able to apply for citizenship. At the time I got permanent resident, it was only 3 yrs before you could apply for citizenship, not 4. Again, I wrote a letter explaining my situation, ie married to an Aussie, my Australian born daughter, still had ties to the country with hubby's family etc. They then said I could write the test, which I did and then after passing it, it was up to them to decide if I met all the rules to be able to become a citizen. They obviously thought I did and June 09 I became a dual citizen. I also mentioned in the letter that we would return to live at some stage.

We left OZ in Oct 2002 and moved back here Feb 2010. So just over 7yrs spent in Canada, but with trips back here for holidays. My citizenship test was done in the city I lived in - it was then sent to Canberra for marking. I did the citizenship ceremony in Canada's capital - Ottawa - because that is where the Australian High Commission office is. The lady getting citizenship alongside me had to travel from the west coast of Canada to do the ceremony, at her expense. But she wasn't living in OZ either, just married to one.

Moving our stuff - we had a 3 bedroom house, but didn't take everything. We took our daughters twin bed (no other beds)...our 3 seater sofa and 2 seater sofa...armoire...TV (australian)....2 futons....all our kitchen gear (except anything electrical)...tons of books....toys....some tools (nothing powered)....golf clubs....our daughters bike....washer (australian)....a couple of lamps (which I will need to get converted)....cd's....dvd's.

We did not take a dining table, no coffee table or side tables. No computer desk, no DVD player.

We did not have a shared container as we almost filled the 20ft on our own. The cost we paid in Canada was about $9300 that includes insurance. On this end (in OZ) we have paid approximately $1000-1100 for quarantine/customs charge and GST charges from the movers that will transport it from Sydney to Townsville. We were aware of these charges, so not a surprise. So all up just over $10,000.

Hope that helps, let me know if you have any more questions

Re: USA move
 

Thank you kindly.

The Citizenship rules are very different now so I will be calling tomorrow to check on her eligibility. If she can do the tests then it would be awesome but we shall see. Will keep you posted.

Interesting, 10k does not seem like you got enough of stuff!! I will be getting a couple of quotes so lets see where that goes.

This is what we plan to get
3 seater + 2 seater Sofa
Ottoman
Centre Table + Side table

Bed + side tables
Dressing table

Utensils
Clothes
Small decorative pieces
DVD player + Recorder

Any guesses how much that may cost? I was told a standard bedroom takes up about 12 cubic meters which I am not sure if it's realistic.

I am very excited but at the same time scared I suppose. Fingers crossed for us!!

Re: USA move
 

Periods spent overseas with Australian citizen spouse are normally considered as time spent in Australia.Such citizenship applications take 6-10 months for approval but ultimately gets approved .....

Re: USA move
 

Yes I believe I read that as well.

I did my test, got the results the following month and then waited 6-7 months before I applied for citizenship, I heard 3 months later that I was approved and it was another 3 months after that before I did the ceremony.

As for how much we brought, it doesn't seem alot when I write it out like that but I believe we have 174 pieces being furniture, boxes and other things like the bike or golf clubs. It does add up and become more than you would think. Like I said we had an almost full 20ft container, you probably won't need that much. Make sure to get quotes from a few different removalists. We haven't seen our stuff since January, when it was packed. I'm told it is now in Sydney waiting for quarantine clearance and then it will be trucked to Townsville....overall probably 4 months....when I was told it would be 5 weeks...HA!

Re: USA move
 

Thanks a lot for that. Yes, getting quotes from 3-4 removalists. They have already said 3 months minimum and I am ok by that. I just need to find out out much they are going to charge.

Also, I have heard its generally easier to get stuff out of Australia than get it in. THe customs seems to be very fussy with inward items!!

Re: USA move
 

Fantastic, that is awesome input. Where can I read up things like these i.e. spouse citizenship ? Is there a number or webpage?

Re: USA move
 

Check this link and specifically the second paragraph

http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applyi..._apply/spouse/

This is where I wrote my letter giving my reasons and demonstrating how I still had close ties to Australia.

Re: USA move
 

Thanks!

She should be due for citizenship soon. I will call the number and explain the situation. We can prove our ties here in terms of investment and the very fact that our move to the States is temporary. She has been in Australia from May 2006.

Cheers