Death Tax
#1
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Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Just moved back to Lancaster PA
Posts: 12
Death Tax
I know this is a morbid subject but as Pink Floyd said "we all have to die sometime"
My question, and this may have been asked in the past, is I am a Canadian Citizen, British Subject and a Permanent Resident of the US with no real desire to take out US Citizenship. When I die with my "estate" be subject to death taxes from the UK and Canada no matter how my will is written? My wife heard this from a friend and is obviously concerned.
Thanks for any help
My question, and this may have been asked in the past, is I am a Canadian Citizen, British Subject and a Permanent Resident of the US with no real desire to take out US Citizenship. When I die with my "estate" be subject to death taxes from the UK and Canada no matter how my will is written? My wife heard this from a friend and is obviously concerned.
Thanks for any help
#2
Re: Death Tax
I know this is a morbid subject but as Pink Floyd said "we all have to die sometime"
My question, and this may have been asked in the past, is I am a Canadian Citizen, British Subject and a Permanent Resident of the US with no real desire to take out US Citizenship. When I die with my "estate" be subject to death taxes from the UK and Canada no matter how my will is written? My wife heard this from a friend and is obviously concerned.
Thanks for any help
My question, and this may have been asked in the past, is I am a Canadian Citizen, British Subject and a Permanent Resident of the US with no real desire to take out US Citizenship. When I die with my "estate" be subject to death taxes from the UK and Canada no matter how my will is written? My wife heard this from a friend and is obviously concerned.
Thanks for any help
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5
Re: Death Tax
Sounds complicated .
From the UK side
If you have a UK domicile UK Inheritance Tax will apply if not you do not need to worry. Domicile essentially means what was the nationality of your father at your birth and which country did he consider to be 'home'?
Secondly how long have you lived in the UK? If less than 17 years and you do not intend to spend the rest of your days here you do not have a problem.
I have really kept this very brief and there is a lot more to the UK rules than that but those are the important bits!
From the UK side
If you have a UK domicile UK Inheritance Tax will apply if not you do not need to worry. Domicile essentially means what was the nationality of your father at your birth and which country did he consider to be 'home'?
Secondly how long have you lived in the UK? If less than 17 years and you do not intend to spend the rest of your days here you do not have a problem.
I have really kept this very brief and there is a lot more to the UK rules than that but those are the important bits!
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: New York City
Posts: 611
Re: Death Tax
I know this is a morbid subject but as Pink Floyd said "we all have to die sometime"
My question, and this may have been asked in the past, is I am a Canadian Citizen, British Subject and a Permanent Resident of the US with no real desire to take out US Citizenship. When I die with my "estate" be subject to death taxes from the UK and Canada no matter how my will is written? My wife heard this from a friend and is obviously concerned.
Thanks for any help
My question, and this may have been asked in the past, is I am a Canadian Citizen, British Subject and a Permanent Resident of the US with no real desire to take out US Citizenship. When I die with my "estate" be subject to death taxes from the UK and Canada no matter how my will is written? My wife heard this from a friend and is obviously concerned.
Thanks for any help
#5
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5
Re: Death Tax
I agree with Peter Newton. May be worth getting this checked out just for peace of mind if anything!
#6
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Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Just moved back to Lancaster PA
Posts: 12
Re: Death Tax
Thanks for all your input. I left the UK and emigrated to Canada at the age of 24. Married a Canadian girl and became a citizen. Got divorced and moved to the States after 13 years. A few years later I married a Yank and did not take out citizenship. Been there done that not good karma . But somebody told us that they became a US Citizen to avoid paying taxes when they die to other countries, ie England. Now my wife is worried, must expect me going first . Anyway I guess I will have to get a Lawyer to check it out, Oh joy. Keep the replies coming if any new news should come up.
#7
Re: Death Tax
Thanks for all your input. I left the UK and emigrated to Canada at the age of 24. Married a Canadian girl and became a citizen. Got divorced and moved to the States after 13 years. A few years later I married a Yank and did not take out citizenship. Been there done that not good karma . But somebody told us that they became a US Citizen to avoid paying taxes when they die to other countries, ie England. Now my wife is worried, must expect me going first . Anyway I guess I will have to get a Lawyer to check it out, Oh joy. Keep the replies coming if any new news should come up.
#8
Re: Death Tax
Thanks for all your input. I left the UK and emigrated to Canada at the age of 24. Married a Canadian girl and became a citizen. Got divorced and moved to the States after 13 years. A few years later I married a Yank and did not take out citizenship. Been there done that not good karma . But somebody told us that they became a US Citizen to avoid paying taxes when they die to other countries, ie England. Now my wife is worried, must expect me going first . Anyway I guess I will have to get a Lawyer to check it out, Oh joy. Keep the replies coming if any new news should come up.
#9
Re: Death Tax
Thanks for all your input. I left the UK and emigrated to Canada at the age of 24. Married a Canadian girl and became a citizen. Got divorced and moved to the States after 13 years. A few years later I married a Yank and did not take out citizenship. Been there done that not good karma . But somebody told us that they became a US Citizen to avoid paying taxes when they die to other countries, ie England. Now my wife is worried, must expect me going first . Anyway I guess I will have to get a Lawyer to check it out, Oh joy. Keep the replies coming if any new news should come up.
The issue about the US portion of it is addressed in the "Pro" column of the pro/con to naturalizing to US citizenship article in the wiki here.
#10
Re: Death Tax
It's not a death tax, it is an estate tax. Get rid of your property before you die unless you find a way to take it with you and they won't tax it.
#11
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Just moved back to Lancaster PA
Posts: 12
Re: Death Tax
Thanks for all your input. I left the UK and emigrated to Canada at the age of 24. Married a Canadian girl and became a citizen. Got divorced and moved to the States after 13 years. A few years later I married a Yank and did not take out citizenship. Been there done that not good karma . But somebody told us that they became a US Citizen to avoid paying taxes when they die to other countries, ie England. Now my wife is worried, must expect me going first . Anyway I guess I will have to get a Lawyer to check it out, Oh joy. Keep the replies coming if any new news should come up.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: London, UK
Posts: 30
Re: Death Tax
Canada does not have an inheritance/death tax. Since you don't even own property in Canada you would not even owe the capital gains tax on the 'deemed disposition' on the property as the Canada Revenue Agency calls it. That leaves the UK and USA to fight it out.
#13
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Death Tax
Plus it just feels wrong to give up the rest to become a US Citizen and the only advantage I see is so I can vote.
Ian
#14
Re: Death Tax
The thing is, with the benefits of all those citizenships, there are also responsibilities. You should want to know about those ahead of time so you can position your assets in the way that serves YOU best, not be caught short unexpectedly.
Good luck
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4
Re: Death Tax
Hi, The revenue will go after a British non UK residents worldwide assets for IHT if they have any financial ties to the UK. We have seen it recently in the high courts. As a international IFA most of our work is helping to protect expats from HMRC!
Happy to answer any questions about IHT planning.
Happy to answer any questions about IHT planning.