UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Mar 17th 2021, 1:27 am
#1
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Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Bishopbriggs - now Bethel, Connecticut
Posts: 1,439
UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Hi Guys
It's been a while, well, in fact it's been years since I've been on here for one reason or the other but I'm back, and I need some guidance please?
Unfortunately, my husband Andy passed away in June of last year after spending 8 months fighting in the hospital. It's been really tough, being here alone just with my girls with the whole Covid issue but we are here and getting up every day to deal with whatever comes our way. I had to deal with three employer's back in the UK where Andy had pensions and I think I have everything finalized and tied up. I'm now stressing over doing my taxes, not only because this is only the 2nd time I've done them (I had to do them myself last year as Andy was in the hospital), but I now have all the UK/US stuff, I'm now a widow, do I file as a single person, a widow, jointly because Andy passed half way through the tax year.....
So I've worked out I obviously need a professional to help me, but I guess what I'm asking is, do I look for an accountant or a tax professional or a specialized UK/US tax person if there is such a thing? I'm lost at this point, I'm still going through the Probate Court so everything is in limbo so I really need this to be done and submitted so that it's one more thing off my stress list.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated, you guys have never let me down in the past
Thank you as always.
It's been a while, well, in fact it's been years since I've been on here for one reason or the other but I'm back, and I need some guidance please?
Unfortunately, my husband Andy passed away in June of last year after spending 8 months fighting in the hospital. It's been really tough, being here alone just with my girls with the whole Covid issue but we are here and getting up every day to deal with whatever comes our way. I had to deal with three employer's back in the UK where Andy had pensions and I think I have everything finalized and tied up. I'm now stressing over doing my taxes, not only because this is only the 2nd time I've done them (I had to do them myself last year as Andy was in the hospital), but I now have all the UK/US stuff, I'm now a widow, do I file as a single person, a widow, jointly because Andy passed half way through the tax year.....
So I've worked out I obviously need a professional to help me, but I guess what I'm asking is, do I look for an accountant or a tax professional or a specialized UK/US tax person if there is such a thing? I'm lost at this point, I'm still going through the Probate Court so everything is in limbo so I really need this to be done and submitted so that it's one more thing off my stress list.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated, you guys have never let me down in the past
Thank you as always.
Mar 17th 2021, 2:21 am
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Hi Guys
It's been a while, well, in fact it's been years since I've been on here for one reason or the other but I'm back, and I need some guidance please?
Unfortunately, my husband Andy passed away in June of last year after spending 8 months fighting in the hospital. It's been really tough, being here alone just with my girls with the whole Covid issue but we are here and getting up every day to deal with whatever comes our way. I had to deal with three employer's back in the UK where Andy had pensions and I think I have everything finalized and tied up. I'm now stressing over doing my taxes, not only because this is only the 2nd time I've done them (I had to do them myself last year as Andy was in the hospital), but I now have all the UK/US stuff, I'm now a widow, do I file as a single person, a widow, jointly because Andy passed half way through the tax year.....
So I've worked out I obviously need a professional to help me, but I guess what I'm asking is, do I look for an accountant or a tax professional or a specialized UK/US tax person if there is such a thing? I'm lost at this point, I'm still going through the Probate Court so everything is in limbo so I really need this to be done and submitted so that it's one more thing off my stress list.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated, you guys have never let me down in the past
Thank you as always.
It's been a while, well, in fact it's been years since I've been on here for one reason or the other but I'm back, and I need some guidance please?
Unfortunately, my husband Andy passed away in June of last year after spending 8 months fighting in the hospital. It's been really tough, being here alone just with my girls with the whole Covid issue but we are here and getting up every day to deal with whatever comes our way. I had to deal with three employer's back in the UK where Andy had pensions and I think I have everything finalized and tied up. I'm now stressing over doing my taxes, not only because this is only the 2nd time I've done them (I had to do them myself last year as Andy was in the hospital), but I now have all the UK/US stuff, I'm now a widow, do I file as a single person, a widow, jointly because Andy passed half way through the tax year.....
So I've worked out I obviously need a professional to help me, but I guess what I'm asking is, do I look for an accountant or a tax professional or a specialized UK/US tax person if there is such a thing? I'm lost at this point, I'm still going through the Probate Court so everything is in limbo so I really need this to be done and submitted so that it's one more thing off my stress list.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated, you guys have never let me down in the past
Thank you as always.
Mar 17th 2021, 2:37 am
#3
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Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Bishopbriggs - now Bethel, Connecticut
Posts: 1,439
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Mar 17th 2021, 4:48 am
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,648
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
I remember you from quite a time ago.... So sorry for your loss. Stay brave ...
Mar 17th 2021, 2:43 pm
#5
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
So sorry to learn of your loss, Brat1. Sincere sympathy to you and the girls.
Wish I could help with an accountant recommendation, but the only one I know who is versed in international matters retired about five years ago, and we've gone DIY since then.
Wish I could help with an accountant recommendation, but the only one I know who is versed in international matters retired about five years ago, and we've gone DIY since then.
Mar 18th 2021, 1:19 am
#6
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Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Bishopbriggs - now Bethel, Connecticut
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Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Thank you Nutmegger, it's been the worst 18 months and not how I saw our lives panning out over here after 11 years 
Mar 18th 2021, 1:20 am
#7
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Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Bishopbriggs - now Bethel, Connecticut
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Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Thank you SanDiegogirl.
Mar 18th 2021, 5:29 pm
#8
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,380
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
My sincere condolences Brat1 on the passing of your husband. It is a difficult time for you and the girls. My thoughts are with you.
Mar 18th 2021, 8:17 pm
#9
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,014
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
I am very sorry to read about your husband. Your scenario frightens the heck out of me. We don’t think about situations such as this when we become expats do we?
I can’t help you as we are in Canada now but hopefully someone on here will be able to. Good luck.
I can’t help you as we are in Canada now but hopefully someone on here will be able to. Good luck.
Mar 20th 2021, 6:02 pm
#10
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Brat1 so sorry to hear of your loss. See if you can get hold of Pete (my old memory can't recall his last name) [email protected] British Expats Tax LLC, He used to post on BE and those who used him spoke highly of him.
https://www.britishexpatstax.com/
https://www.britishexpatstax.com/
Mar 20th 2021, 10:03 pm
#11
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Joined: Oct 2011
Location: "LA LA Land"
Posts: 2,447
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Brat1 so sorry to hear of your loss. See if you can get hold of Pete (my old memory can't recall his last name) [email protected] British Expats Tax LLC, He used to post on BE and those who used him spoke highly of him.
https://www.britishexpatstax.com/
https://www.britishexpatstax.com/
https://www.google.com/search?q=pete+newton+accountant&client=firefox-b-1-d&ei=xm5WYJjdJb3C0PEP1KK7qA4&oq=pete+newton+accoun tant&
He used to be very active in the forum - but hasn't been around for a long time.
Definitely worth giving him a call,
Am so sorry for your loss Brat1
ps Here's another link...Pete Newton is accepting new clients for taxes
Last edited by MMcD; Mar 20th 2021 at 10:12 pm. Reason: Added another link
Mar 20th 2021, 10:29 pm
#12
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,380
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
He had stopped taking new clients a few years back but might well be able to take on one or four now. No harm in Brat1 trying.
This year you will file joint because Andy lived at least one day of the year (2020). After that you will file "head of household" and one of your children will serve as your proof of being head of household.
I can't tell you about taxes on estates. State tax quotas vary from state to state but there is a set amount on the federal's part.
This year you will file joint because Andy lived at least one day of the year (2020). After that you will file "head of household" and one of your children will serve as your proof of being head of household.
I can't tell you about taxes on estates. State tax quotas vary from state to state but there is a set amount on the federal's part.
Mar 20th 2021, 10:48 pm
#13
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Newton, yes indeed Pete Newton. He has been taking new clients for a while now, or at least the note that he wasn't has been removed from his web site.
Mar 21st 2021, 11:10 pm
#14
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,380
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
Great news, lansbury. Will feel free to recommend him in the future then.
Last edited by Rete; Mar 21st 2021 at 11:15 pm.
Mar 21st 2021, 11:14 pm
#15
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,380
Re: UK/US Tax Treaty - Lump Sum Death Benefits
State of Connecticut ... Estate tax free amount is shown here:
As it shows, the exemptions range from $1 million in Massachusetts and Oregon to $5.85 million in New York. Connecticut's $5.1 million exemption for 2020 puts it 9th among the 13 jurisdictions. The top rates range from 12% in Connecticut and Maine to 20% in Hawaii and Washington.Sep 2, 2020
Federal Estate is here:
What is the federal estate tax exemption for 2020?
The exemption level is indexed for inflation reaching $11.4 million in 2019 and $11.58 million in 2020 (and twice those amounts for married couples). The 40 percent top tax rate remains in place. The tax rates and exemption levels have varied dramatically over the past two decades.
As it shows, the exemptions range from $1 million in Massachusetts and Oregon to $5.85 million in New York. Connecticut's $5.1 million exemption for 2020 puts it 9th among the 13 jurisdictions. The top rates range from 12% in Connecticut and Maine to 20% in Hawaii and Washington.Sep 2, 2020
Federal Estate is here:
What is the federal estate tax exemption for 2020?
The exemption level is indexed for inflation reaching $11.4 million in 2019 and $11.58 million in 2020 (and twice those amounts for married couples). The 40 percent top tax rate remains in place. The tax rates and exemption levels have varied dramatically over the past two decades.
How do the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes work
