Advice for UK to Cali move
#1
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Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 58
Advice for UK to Cali move
Hi All,
Sorry if this has already been covered in other posts! Im new to this forum and I dont fit in with the typical questions. I was born in the USA so have dual nationality and am trying to move over there to be with my partner after living in the UK since I was 3.
I've been advised that applying for a social security number while in the UK can be a drawn out process and I am better doing this in the USA as it will only take a week or 2. I understand I will get a temporary number of some sort while I wait, is this correct?
I am also trying to work out what to do about banks, I will be earning a reasonable wage (once I actually find a job over there) but my UK bank account has been in the red since I was a student and I live in my overdraft. Will this matter in the US? Do they do checks on your existing banks? I haven't had any court judgements or defaults but my balance isnt as rosy as it should be!!
Are there any banks I should stay away from, or ones you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help
Ned
Sorry if this has already been covered in other posts! Im new to this forum and I dont fit in with the typical questions. I was born in the USA so have dual nationality and am trying to move over there to be with my partner after living in the UK since I was 3.
I've been advised that applying for a social security number while in the UK can be a drawn out process and I am better doing this in the USA as it will only take a week or 2. I understand I will get a temporary number of some sort while I wait, is this correct?
I am also trying to work out what to do about banks, I will be earning a reasonable wage (once I actually find a job over there) but my UK bank account has been in the red since I was a student and I live in my overdraft. Will this matter in the US? Do they do checks on your existing banks? I haven't had any court judgements or defaults but my balance isnt as rosy as it should be!!
Are there any banks I should stay away from, or ones you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help
Ned
#2
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
I am also trying to work out what to do about banks, I will be earning a reasonable wage (once I actually find a job over there) but my UK bank account has been in the red since I was a student and I live in my overdraft. Will this matter in the US? Do they do checks on your existing banks? I haven't had any court judgements or defaults but my balance isnt as rosy as it should be!!
#3
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 1,352
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
Hi Ned,
Just another couple of considerations, in case you're not aware of them. If you are over 18 you should be filing US tax returns each year, and if you are male and between 18 and 26 (I think) you should register for the Selective Service.
Just another couple of considerations, in case you're not aware of them. If you are over 18 you should be filing US tax returns each year, and if you are male and between 18 and 26 (I think) you should register for the Selective Service.
#4
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Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
Wow I had no idea, I need to look into the tax returns then. Is this for income earned abroad? As I have never worked (left when I was 3) in the US I assumed that I didnt need to do anything like that.
I wasnt planning of running away from my debts, but i was concerned that i wouldnt get a bank account over there. What do i typically need documentation wise to start a new bank account in the US?
I wasnt planning of running away from my debts, but i was concerned that i wouldnt get a bank account over there. What do i typically need documentation wise to start a new bank account in the US?
#5
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
Good luck with your move!
#6
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
Your biggest problem is that, just like a new immigrant, you will have no US credit history and will have to go through the same steps as everyone else to build one - there is lots of advice on that in various threads and in the wiki on this site. The good news is that your current debt in the UK will not factor into any of this.
#7
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
There are three major issues relating to your US citizenship you should clear up.
1) Selective service. If you are over 18, you need to register for military conscription (i.e. the draft). Of course they haven't drafted anyone in 30 years, and the requirement is basically so we can fight off a Soviet invasion of Europe, but still the paperwork is there and there are many government programs that require you to certify that you have registered for military service.
2) Tax returns. US citizens have to pay taxes on all income worldwide regardless of where they are living. Of course there are credits and exclusions that render the tax due to about $0 for most average Americans living overseas, but there is still this requirement.
3) FBAR. You need to report any foreign bank account over $10,000 US every year. The penalties for this are SEVERE so please check into this first on your own (i.e. accountant, lawyer, google searching) before talking to the US embassy about your lack of previous filings.
1) Selective service. If you are over 18, you need to register for military conscription (i.e. the draft). Of course they haven't drafted anyone in 30 years, and the requirement is basically so we can fight off a Soviet invasion of Europe, but still the paperwork is there and there are many government programs that require you to certify that you have registered for military service.
2) Tax returns. US citizens have to pay taxes on all income worldwide regardless of where they are living. Of course there are credits and exclusions that render the tax due to about $0 for most average Americans living overseas, but there is still this requirement.
3) FBAR. You need to report any foreign bank account over $10,000 US every year. The penalties for this are SEVERE so please check into this first on your own (i.e. accountant, lawyer, google searching) before talking to the US embassy about your lack of previous filings.
#8
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Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 58
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
Well, apparently I have "missed the boat" for Selective Service as I am 28. If I ever need a federal job or some such I have to plead my case to the awarding body each time. "show by a preponderance of evidence that his failure to register was not knowing and willful. Offer as much evidence supporting your case, and as much detail, as possible."
I dont have $10,000 or I would already have moved to the US!
So it just leaves me to fill in some tax returns.
God there's a lot of bureaucratic nonsense!
I dont have $10,000 or I would already have moved to the US!
So it just leaves me to fill in some tax returns.
God there's a lot of bureaucratic nonsense!
#9
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
It could be different as you don't need a Visa, but when I opted to have my SS number taken care of while in the UK, it was a right pain! The process actually didn't happen so on arrival to the US i was told to wait 3 weeks and call if I have no SS. I didn't receive it, so called and they just told me "there were problems". No one told me about those "problems".
Anyway, I had to go apply directly at the SS office (started from scratch) which took all of 30 mins and then I was able to return the next day and get my number. Nice and easy. If i knew that before my Visa app, I would have opted OUT of getting the Embassy to organise my SS number and not had to wait the 3 weeks. The card then arrived about 10 days later.
Hope this helps you out.
#11
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
Hehe, I know! Very lucky.
Although not sure how to deal with these tax returns, lots of very boring reading by the sounds of it.
Although not sure how to deal with these tax returns, lots of very boring reading by the sounds of it.
#12
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
There is no penalty for not filing returns if you don't owe taxes and don't need to declare FBAR accounts.
Last edited by Michael; Oct 15th 2011 at 6:51 pm.
#13
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
Well, apparently I have "missed the boat" for Selective Service as I am 28. If I ever need a federal job or some such I have to plead my case to the awarding body each time. "show by a preponderance of evidence that his failure to register was not knowing and willful. Offer as much evidence supporting your case, and as much detail, as possible."
#14
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Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 58
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
Hi all,
Just giving you an update and adding more queries!
I got a job (YAY *big-fat-smileyface*) working for SitnSleep at their headquarters in LA. I start on April 30th.
I went to the SSA and got my SSN application in with them using my partners address and also set up a "visitors" checking account with Bank of America (which they will turn into a full one when my SSN arrives).
I now need to hire/lease/buy a car. I assume i wont get a car on finance or lease arrangement without a credit check, and as I have no credit score over there yet what do you reckon I should do?
Thanks for all your help and support!
Ned
Just giving you an update and adding more queries!
I got a job (YAY *big-fat-smileyface*) working for SitnSleep at their headquarters in LA. I start on April 30th.
I went to the SSA and got my SSN application in with them using my partners address and also set up a "visitors" checking account with Bank of America (which they will turn into a full one when my SSN arrives).
I now need to hire/lease/buy a car. I assume i wont get a car on finance or lease arrangement without a credit check, and as I have no credit score over there yet what do you reckon I should do?
Thanks for all your help and support!
Ned
#15
Re: Advice for UK to Cali move
I'd start by having a nose at the other hundred threads on car/credit advice though, there's probably a good handful on the first page alone covering buying new, secondhand, lease and new immigrant/global transfer type programs from the manufacturers, so that should cover a range of budgets you might have