Lion in Winter

Has anyone used a UK-based accountant to file their US taxes? If so, could you please say who, either here or by pm if preferred. I do have one in the US but am not filled with confidence so researching options.

durham_lad

Yes, based in London but she is not taking on new clients. I plan on using Greenback or Taxes for Expats when she retires.

https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/

https://www.taxesforexpats.com/

Lion in Winter

I'm hoping that by next year things will become simple enough that I can do it myself.

Is the taxes for expats a self-file using a form filing out bit of software (like turbo tax) or is it an actual person?

durham_lad

I believe that Greenback use a secure portal where you upload your documents and then you work with an individual assigned tax preparer.

From the taxes for expats website it states that you get an "Expert, human accountant working on your case" and "We never hire junior staff. No outsourcing, no middlemen: you’ll be working directly with an experienced (our average age is 42) CPA or EA who will handle your case from beginning to end."

I haven't actually used either company.

Lion in Winter

Ah, right, thank you.

steveaway2021

Buzzacott Livingstone (London based) dealt with my US / UK tax affairs at the end of the '90s while I was living in London and I've just retained them to handle tax and financial issues re: me moving back to the UK from the US. No issues then or now (so far).

kateg60

I want to try to file my US taxes using software, what software will work for a UK resident? The software I have used previously in the US doesn't support users with a foreign address. I assume I should be using a UK address when filing?

durham_lad

I use TurboTax, and I believe TaxAct also works. No problem in using foreign addresses.

One problem is buying it in the first place. I maintain a US credit card with a US address (a forwarding address service that my daughter uses).

I have heard that when buying it you can use your first line on the credit card address then just use the address of TaxAct or TurboTax and apparently that works to buy the software. I buy mine from Amazon.com (US store).

kateg60

Okay, thanks, I will check. I'm in the US 2-3 times/year so can always get it there. I've used TT before so that may be the best option.