Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 13
Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Our visa applications should complete soon and we should be moving shortly on L Visas. Can anyone help with a few questions.
1. My husband will be working immediately but as I’m on a L2 visa it’ll probably be a while till I start working. What are the rules on tax? Will I need to pay tax even though I’m not working?
2. Driving- Do we need to get a US driving license? Will we need to do a test? And how do we apply?
3. Any dummie guide to tax returns? Luckily being in UK its all done for us out of our salary. I see so much about tax returns in America and I have no idea what to do. Do we keep every receipt etc...
4. We’re going to rent out our uk property but won’t make a huge profit on the monthly income. Do we need to do anything about this? UK & US end.
5. I’ll be on a L2 visa. How long realistically can I expect to start working? I’ve heard I need to apply for something else when we get there that’ll take 3-4 months.
6. I’m thinking of running a website. Could I run this as a UK based website and work on it whilst in US and get any income paid in the UK?
I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions but any help on these to start would be greatly appreciated.
Any checklist sort of thing of things we must do when we arrive on our visas would be a great help too.
thanks in advance
1. My husband will be working immediately but as I’m on a L2 visa it’ll probably be a while till I start working. What are the rules on tax? Will I need to pay tax even though I’m not working?
2. Driving- Do we need to get a US driving license? Will we need to do a test? And how do we apply?
3. Any dummie guide to tax returns? Luckily being in UK its all done for us out of our salary. I see so much about tax returns in America and I have no idea what to do. Do we keep every receipt etc...
4. We’re going to rent out our uk property but won’t make a huge profit on the monthly income. Do we need to do anything about this? UK & US end.
5. I’ll be on a L2 visa. How long realistically can I expect to start working? I’ve heard I need to apply for something else when we get there that’ll take 3-4 months.
6. I’m thinking of running a website. Could I run this as a UK based website and work on it whilst in US and get any income paid in the UK?
I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions but any help on these to start would be greatly appreciated.
Any checklist sort of thing of things we must do when we arrive on our visas would be a great help too.
thanks in advance
#2
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Our visa applications should complete soon and we should be moving shortly on L Visas. Can anyone help with a few questions.
1. My husband will be working immediately but as I’m on a L2 visa it’ll probably be a while till I start working. What are the rules on tax? Will I need to pay tax even though I’m not working?
1. My husband will be working immediately but as I’m on a L2 visa it’ll probably be a while till I start working. What are the rules on tax? Will I need to pay tax even though I’m not working?
You can't "pay" tax if you haven't earned any income. However, your husband should file "married" either joint of separate when he files his 2019 tax return in 2020. You might well be working by then so worry about it when the tax year is over and you have to file. 2019 taxes need to be filed between January 1, 2020 and April 15, 2020. Or you can ask for an extension.
2. Driving- Do we need to get a US driving license? Will we need to do a test? And how do we apply?
3. Any dummie guide to tax returns? Luckily being in UK its all done for us out of our salary. I see so much about tax returns in America and I have no idea what to do. Do we keep every receipt etc...
4. We’re going to rent out our uk property but won’t make a huge profit on the monthly income. Do we need to do anything about this? UK & US end.
4. We’re going to rent out our uk property but won’t make a huge profit on the monthly income. Do we need to do anything about this? UK & US end.
5. I’ll be on a L2 visa. How long realistically can I expect to start working? I’ve heard I need to apply for something else when we get there that’ll take 3-4 months.
6. I’m thinking of running a website. Could I run this as a UK based website and work on it whilst in US and get any income paid in the UK?
6. I’m thinking of running a website. Could I run this as a UK based website and work on it whilst in US and get any income paid in the UK?
I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions but any help on these to start would be greatly appreciated.
Any checklist sort of thing of things we must do when we arrive on our visas would be a great help too.
thanks in advance
Any checklist sort of thing of things we must do when we arrive on our visas would be a great help too.
thanks in advance
Last edited by Rete; Feb 24th 2019 at 1:41 pm.
#3
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
EAD is more like 4 to 6 months.
#5
Just Joined
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 13
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Thank you so much for your responses. I’m quite happy waiting 4 months for EAD as will give me time to enjoy a bit of Florida before I start working.
2 more;
1) How do we get our social security number? Is it just an online form when we enter the country?
2) Has anyone got experience applying for work on a L2 Visa? Is it tougher not being an actual US citizen?
2 more;
1) How do we get our social security number? Is it just an online form when we enter the country?
2) Has anyone got experience applying for work on a L2 Visa? Is it tougher not being an actual US citizen?
#6
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
1. You have to go in person to apply at a social security office. Details at www.ssa.gov.
2. Lots of people, yes. It's not tougher, as long as you have your EAD. Make sure your resume is in US format and be prepared not to hear back on every application.
Rene
2. Lots of people, yes. It's not tougher, as long as you have your EAD. Make sure your resume is in US format and be prepared not to hear back on every application.
Rene
#7
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Yes you need a Florida drivers license - this page has the requirements. I don't immediately see the allowed time, but you only have 30 days to register a car brought into Florida (for those moving within the US), so I expect that you also only have 30 days to get your drivers license, as for most people the two things go hand in hand. Obviously this is going to be fairly tight, but you will be OK so long as you start the process even if you can't get the road test completed within 30 days - just carry documentation to show that you are in the process of getting your FL drivers license in the unlikely event that you are stopped and asked for it.*
That said, the "road test" in all US states is a pretty pathetic test of driving ability, and the test in Florida, from everything I have heard, is weaker than most, with the "road test" often being completed in a car park or paved area set aside for the "road test", so you can pas your "road test" without driving on an actual road! ….. But do check what information you are expected to know for the "written" (computer based) test, as that can catch you out. Things that seem to be favorite topics are things like drink driving penalties, road signs, and rules about driving near school buses.
* Anecdotally, from a few reports over the years here on BE, police (not necessarily in FL) the police are usually unconcerned about not yet having obtained a local drivers license, or are actually unaware what the correct time limit even is!
Last edited by Pulaski; Feb 25th 2019 at 3:14 pm.
#8
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
'the police are usually unconcerned about not yet having obtained a local drivers license'
Drove 8 years with my UK license. Had valid insurance. No issues.
Got US license eventually cause it was so easy. Drive round the block in easy conditions.,
Drove 8 years with my UK license. Had valid insurance. No issues.
Got US license eventually cause it was so easy. Drive round the block in easy conditions.,
#9
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Things can get awkward if you get in an accident, as without a state drivers license after the permitted period, you may find that your insurance is void, or voidable, if you need to claim on it.
#10
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Maybe, possibly, coulda, shoulda,
I've got my US license now.
If only I could find my UK passport..how the hell did I lose that?
I've got my US license now.
If only I could find my UK passport..how the hell did I lose that?
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 31
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Hey. Came out to Orlando myself last summer with my wife and daughter. Welcome.
You need to apply for EAD. For my wife it took a little over 3 months to come through, so get on it as soon as possible. We had not anticipated this, but thankfully was not a problem for us financially.
I recommend getting a driver's license as soon as possible and get it out the way. I got mine way later than I should have. It was all fine, but technically I was in breach. The test will be easy. Mine was on a small figure-of-8 track with a speed limit of 5mph. As long as you stop at the stop signs and turn right when the examiner say right you should be fine. Pay your $50 or so a the desk and they print the license then and there. It also makes it easier to buy alcoholic drinks out and about when you will not likely have your passport (although tbf most places seemed pretty good accepting a UK license for this).
You will need an accountant to help with taxes. Renting a house out in the UK adds some complexity. We are doing ours now, so much fun.
Where in Orlando are you planning to be?
You need to apply for EAD. For my wife it took a little over 3 months to come through, so get on it as soon as possible. We had not anticipated this, but thankfully was not a problem for us financially.
I recommend getting a driver's license as soon as possible and get it out the way. I got mine way later than I should have. It was all fine, but technically I was in breach. The test will be easy. Mine was on a small figure-of-8 track with a speed limit of 5mph. As long as you stop at the stop signs and turn right when the examiner say right you should be fine. Pay your $50 or so a the desk and they print the license then and there. It also makes it easier to buy alcoholic drinks out and about when you will not likely have your passport (although tbf most places seemed pretty good accepting a UK license for this).
You will need an accountant to help with taxes. Renting a house out in the UK adds some complexity. We are doing ours now, so much fun.
Where in Orlando are you planning to be?
#12
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Unfortunately folk end up thinking it won't ever happen to them. Having drove the length of Florida, including Orlando, the "minimum 80mph speed limit" increases the chances.
#13
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
You've got it all wrong, the speed is irrelevant just as long as you maintain a maximum length of four feet from the vehicle in front!
#14
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Personally I also learned how to negotiate school car pool by applying what I learned watching NASCAR pitstops:
- Come in as fast as traffic allows,
- pass other stationery cars on the way in to your pit if possible,
- leave room in front when you stop to give space to pull out, so you don't have to wait for the car in front, and
- accelerate hard on the way out passing as many cars pitting ahead of you while they are still stationery, because it is much easier than passing on the track (access road).
Last edited by Pulaski; Mar 1st 2019 at 2:03 am.
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Nottingham UK to Boston MA to Orlando FL
Posts: 185
Re: Moving to Orlando - dummie questions
Moved to Orlando with my wife on L1/L2 visa in 2017 so please let me know if you have any specific questions about areas to live, things to do, accommodation options etc.
We think it's a great place to live.
Also would be more than happy to welcome you new folks with a drink when you arrive!
We think it's a great place to live.
Also would be more than happy to welcome you new folks with a drink when you arrive!