stickinthemud

Hi, I have searched the old threads and most suggestions for a UK-US Accountant are several years old or the firm is very expensive, so I am issuing this plea.
We are an American couple now living in London and have been paying 4,500 GBP a year for a firm to do our joint US tax return and our two individual UK returns. Our affairs are not complex and this seems an extraordinary fee.
Can anyone suggest a UK accountant who also handles US returns, who may be more reasonable in price?
I imagine I am not alone, so in advance, I thank you sincerely for any advice. Sheryl.
PS. I have not considered getting a US-UK accountant based in the US, but if this is a better idea, please let me know.

SanDiegogirl

Have you looked at

https://www.hrblock.com/expat-tax-pr...nited-kingdom/

I know someone in the UK who uses their services - have no idea if they are expensive or not

Also if you do a search for 'how do I complete US tax returns in the UK' loads of companies come up

christmasoompa

Do you need an accountant? If your affairs aren't complex, then doing your own UK returns should be easy enough - I do my own and have property income, a Ltd company and self employed income too. No idea on the US side of things or how complicated doing a return there is though, but that might at least cut down your costs. You could always log in and have a look at the return and see how easy you think it may be to give you an idea (using your previous returns as a guide too).

stickinthemud

Thank you San Diego Girl and Christmasoompa. I'll check out HR Block. And if forced to may have to do our own taxes. Doing US and UK taxes alone may not be that difficult, it is the tax offsets and other ikky little rules about what stocks you can own, what is tax free in which country, etc. that get difficult. Thank you for your thoughts! Any other suggestions still welcome. Best, Sheryl

durham_lad

Like yourself I really struggled with this when I returned in 2016 and finally found one who has been doing my returns. She is fully booked and each year I wonder if this is the year I won't get a reply to my emails.

Asking for recommendations usually will not receive many replies. Searching google for US tax advisors in England comes up with many choices, but no recommendations. I have registered with Greenback Expat Services and am on their newsletter and have attended a couple of their web seminars but have not used them. They are my standby for when my current advisor retires, moves on or whatever.

Some of the below have been recommended by other posters. Some are inexpensive (less than $400), some are expensive ($1,000+).


https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/

https://britishamericantax.com/

Expatriate Tax Services | US & US Expat Tax Returns | Ingelton Partners

https://www.hrblock.com/expat-tax-pr...caAtw7EALw_wcB

https://www.taxesforexpats.com/

https://www.usglobaltax.co.uk/

https://www.americanuktaxsolutions.com/about-us.html

American Tax Returns - US and UK Tax Experts Tel: 020 8946 0523

stickinthemud

Thank you so very much Durham Lad. Several of these I have tried, but one or two not. I will do! Good of you to take the time. Sheryl

LARAHTX

Ever since moving to the UK from the US I have been using the greenback expat tax services. They’ve been pretty great. On the less expensive side too thank goodness. I was impressed by their work.

durham_lad

That is good to hear. Do they do HMRC self assessment returns as well?

Russet

When I contacted Greenback last year (and paid for a one hour consultation) they advised they do not do UK returns - only US. They also do not provide any advice on your UK tax position. This makes it complicated when you are trying to coordinate the UK/USA returns for tax credits etc. I did not move forward with them.

I decided to retain our US CPA for our US return and found a UK accountant who understands the US tax system. The UK accountant was able to assist us with preparation of our UK tax return by referencing our US tax return. This is only our first year back so still too early to make judgement but effectively they both operate independently. This is not the best situation but hopefully as each year passes it will become a bit easier.

durham_lad

Thanks for this.