Relocation questions
Jul 15th 2009, 8:42 pm
#31
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Re: Relocation questions
How have you got on with trying to work out comparitable living etc. I have had a poke around (lurking on websites) and found some info on the difference in cost of living etc as we need to work it on 1 wage just incase i cant transfer over with my company.......luckily both mine and hubbies companies work in the same location (give or take 10 miles). Oh meant to ask, you mentioned lawyers in your original post........without prying is that for buying a property??? Havent thought about the need for lawyers in it all.......is it a requirement do you think?
I don't work, so nothing will change for us in that respect.
Cost of living wise with a higher wage we will be better off, we will be able to buy a nice house (unlike a shoe box here in Hampshire) and I can stay not working until the kids are older. I think with everyday costs from what I gather it's pretty comparable. Big costs are obviously lower, nice big tele for a lot less!
Jul 15th 2009, 8:49 pm
#32
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Re: Relocation questions
How have you got on with trying to work out comparitable living etc. I have had a poke around (lurking on websites) and found some info on the difference in cost of living etc as we need to work it on 1 wage just incase i cant transfer over with my company.......luckily both mine and hubbies companies work in the same location (give or take 10 miles). Oh meant to ask, you mentioned lawyers in your original post........without prying is that for buying a property??? Havent thought about the need for lawyers in it all.......is it a requirement do you think?
SarahG, with you on the bribery. I have been to Sainsburys and Asda this week finding things for the flight, gave the children a quick peek (evil mother ha ha) and told them they could only have them if they were good. Needless to say the children have been best behaviour this last day or so ha ha.
SarahG, with you on the bribery. I have been to Sainsburys and Asda this week finding things for the flight, gave the children a quick peek (evil mother ha ha) and told them they could only have them if they were good. Needless to say the children have been best behaviour this last day or so ha ha.
No need to have a lawyer for buying a house, some people may advise it, but we have never used one, so long as you can get a good realtor, probably get lots of recommendations from people at work etc, you will have no problems finding a decent one. Read up on a few of the old threads re: buying homes in the US etc, I'm sure you will find some good advice in those, there are a few things you will need to know before you start looking. Good Luck!
Jul 15th 2009, 8:55 pm
#33
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Re: Relocation questions
How have you got on with trying to work out comparitable living etc. I have had a poke around (lurking on websites) and found some info on the difference in cost of living etc as we need to work it on 1 wage just incase i cant transfer over with my company.......luckily both mine and hubbies companies work in the same location (give or take 10 miles). Oh meant to ask, you mentioned lawyers in your original post........without prying is that for buying a property??? Havent thought about the need for lawyers in it all.......is it a requirement do you think?
SarahG, with you on the bribery. I have been to Sainsburys and Asda this week finding things for the flight, gave the children a quick peek (evil mother ha ha) and told them they could only have them if they were good. Needless to say the children have been best behaviour this last day or so ha ha.
SarahG, with you on the bribery. I have been to Sainsburys and Asda this week finding things for the flight, gave the children a quick peek (evil mother ha ha) and told them they could only have them if they were good. Needless to say the children have been best behaviour this last day or so ha ha.
Jul 15th 2009, 9:01 pm
#34
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Re: Relocation questions
Good luck to you too.
I'm taking nothing for granted, we have friends (she posts here) who have been waiting on their visas for months an months, different situation for her, but I'm not doing ANYTHING in terms of schools/notice on the house until those are firmly in our hands.
As nothing is in writing yet, that we have seen, then I suppose there is still room for discussion
If they want him there that badly then they are going have to make it worth MY while 
Hope you hear Skyped news soon.
I'm taking nothing for granted, we have friends (she posts here) who have been waiting on their visas for months an months, different situation for her, but I'm not doing ANYTHING in terms of schools/notice on the house until those are firmly in our hands.
As nothing is in writing yet, that we have seen, then I suppose there is still room for discussion
If they want him there that badly then they are going have to make it worth MY while Hope you hear Skyped news soon.
Jul 15th 2009, 9:06 pm
#35
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Re: Relocation questions
Okay so i have bee skyped. It sounds like all of our terms have been agreed but like your self NYC, it looks like it will be various pots of money we can use. However he got the wage he wanted, and everything ticked off our list so omg it looks like we are moving to the US!!!! Finally a good nights sleep
Jul 15th 2009, 9:08 pm
#36
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Re: Relocation questions
Okay so i have bee skyped. It sounds like all of our terms have been agreed but like your self NYC, it looks like it will be various pots of money we can use. However he got the wage he wanted, and everything ticked off our list so omg it looks like we are moving to the US!!!! Finally a good nights sleep
Jul 16th 2009, 2:15 am
#37
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Re: Relocation questions
our cash part was about $40k (if i remember correctly) but that did not include any shipping (air crate/sea container) or flights or visa/lawyer fees - which the firm paid for directly.
Jul 16th 2009, 2:42 am
#38
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Re: Relocation questions
In addition, the other things paid for directly included the relocation consultants (including a school specialist) and tax assistance for both US and UK tax prep for first and last year of assignment.
Jul 16th 2009, 3:10 am
#39
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Re: Relocation questions
Sounds pretty good....does that include shipping all your crap back if you either don't like it or get shit canned before getting a greencard?
They have to pay the visa fees anyway, so that shouldn't be a cost that you worry about and unless they're being tight gits, they wouldn't have you pay for the lawyers fees either, but if they're willing to drop $75K on moving you over, that doesn't sound the case.
Just make sure you budget things properly, leaving a good few K in the bank to drop on utility deposits because you might have to pay a chunk for them, phone/mobile/gas/oil whatever, electric etc.
Have a chunk for sorting out a car, the extras that sneak up on you like the massive amount of tax on buying a car, even second hand, then inspecting it, getting plates, registering plates, and cost of getting a license etc.
It all adds up pretty quickly, so don't go blowing all that money on a few cool house hold appliances.
They have to pay the visa fees anyway, so that shouldn't be a cost that you worry about and unless they're being tight gits, they wouldn't have you pay for the lawyers fees either, but if they're willing to drop $75K on moving you over, that doesn't sound the case.
Just make sure you budget things properly, leaving a good few K in the bank to drop on utility deposits because you might have to pay a chunk for them, phone/mobile/gas/oil whatever, electric etc.
Have a chunk for sorting out a car, the extras that sneak up on you like the massive amount of tax on buying a car, even second hand, then inspecting it, getting plates, registering plates, and cost of getting a license etc.
It all adds up pretty quickly, so don't go blowing all that money on a few cool house hold appliances.
Jul 16th 2009, 4:16 am
#40
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Re: Relocation questions
Dont blame you. Its such a big thing, we havent put our house on the rental market yet, but have had the estate agents round to give their estimations. My only concern is whether it will have a tenant before we go. We are hoping to get over to the US next month to try and find a property to rent and also sort out the school for my son but no-one has any idea yet and it has been killing me as i just cant keep secrets. Just had the dogs vaccinations sorted just in case as she needed them all in plenty of time but also need to sort out the vaccinations for my son (6) for school and my daughter for nursery if i can carry my job over to the US aswell but again not pumping them full of drugs unless we are going. Go on holiday on Friday when the children break up and i just cant wait, hope hubby's flight gets back in on time or he can meet us there ha ha. Keep smiling though it will all come together in the end and will be worth it!!
Jul 16th 2009, 6:37 am
#41
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Re: Relocation questions
Sounds pretty good....does that include shipping all your crap back if you either don't like it or get shit canned before getting a greencard?
They have to pay the visa fees anyway, so that shouldn't be a cost that you worry about and unless they're being tight gits, they wouldn't have you pay for the lawyers fees either, but if they're willing to drop $75K on moving you over, that doesn't sound the case.
Just make sure you budget things properly, leaving a good few K in the bank to drop on utility deposits because you might have to pay a chunk for them, phone/mobile/gas/oil whatever, electric etc.
Have a chunk for sorting out a car, the extras that sneak up on you like the massive amount of tax on buying a car, even second hand, then inspecting it, getting plates, registering plates, and cost of getting a license etc.
It all adds up pretty quickly, so don't go blowing all that money on a few cool house hold appliances.
They have to pay the visa fees anyway, so that shouldn't be a cost that you worry about and unless they're being tight gits, they wouldn't have you pay for the lawyers fees either, but if they're willing to drop $75K on moving you over, that doesn't sound the case.
Just make sure you budget things properly, leaving a good few K in the bank to drop on utility deposits because you might have to pay a chunk for them, phone/mobile/gas/oil whatever, electric etc.
Have a chunk for sorting out a car, the extras that sneak up on you like the massive amount of tax on buying a car, even second hand, then inspecting it, getting plates, registering plates, and cost of getting a license etc.
It all adds up pretty quickly, so don't go blowing all that money on a few cool house hold appliances.
Not sure we see much of that money in our bank acc so no chance of blowing it (would be nice though wouldn't it!) I'm hot on this, just need to reign in DH!
Jul 17th 2009, 2:25 pm
#42
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Re: Relocation questions
Now I feel embarrassed! 
Sorry.
I have every reason to assume that includes everything they have to pay for, Lawyers, Visa costs, probably the hiring of the relocation company, so we won't 'see' any of that cash. I'm not moving anywhere if we will be out of pocket. That was just the figure that was given to me, I hope it didn't sound crass, I really didn't mean it to.
SarahG1976, it does sound the way to go doesn't it, sending them over first, but a long flight with young children with two adults sounds like hell, but on your own??!! Good luck with that!
Sorry.I have every reason to assume that includes everything they have to pay for, Lawyers, Visa costs, probably the hiring of the relocation company, so we won't 'see' any of that cash. I'm not moving anywhere if we will be out of pocket. That was just the figure that was given to me, I hope it didn't sound crass, I really didn't mean it to.
SarahG1976, it does sound the way to go doesn't it, sending them over first, but a long flight with young children with two adults sounds like hell, but on your own??!! Good luck with that!
Well, you will get to see some it it when it is declared by your employed on you W2 (tax form). At that point what you will see is an expectation that you will be paying tax on it....
Jul 17th 2009, 2:38 pm
#43
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Re: Relocation questions
Just a clarification on the tax side....as people have already said the cash allowance you receive will be classed as taxable income.
However, what I haven't seen mentioned above is that a lot of your moving costs are tax deductable. This should give you a good idea (it's for 2008 but probably won't change much)....
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf
However, what I haven't seen mentioned above is that a lot of your moving costs are tax deductable. This should give you a good idea (it's for 2008 but probably won't change much)....
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf
Jul 17th 2009, 2:51 pm
#44
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Re: Relocation questions
Just a clarification on the tax side....as people have already said the cash allowance you receive will be classed as taxable income.
However, what I haven't seen mentioned above is that a lot of your moving costs are tax deductable. This should give you a good idea (it's for 2008 but probably won't change much)....
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf
However, what I haven't seen mentioned above is that a lot of your moving costs are tax deductable. This should give you a good idea (it's for 2008 but probably won't change much)....
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf
Which reminds me I really should do my own tax return asap so it's out of the way before we go (I've been saying that since April!)
Jul 17th 2009, 3:48 pm
#45
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Re: Relocation questions
Just a clarification on the tax side....as people have already said the cash allowance you receive will be classed as taxable income.
However, what I haven't seen mentioned above is that a lot of your moving costs are tax deductable. This should give you a good idea (it's for 2008 but probably won't change much)....
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf
However, what I haven't seen mentioned above is that a lot of your moving costs are tax deductable. This should give you a good idea (it's for 2008 but probably won't change much)....
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf
Having just been through this exact same process, a lot of moving costs are NOT tax deductable. The only things that are is the flights, packing and shipping costs and 1st nights accommodation. Nothing else that is of any $ value is.
To put in monetary terms, our move was relatively 'cheap' and we were still hit with a $8k tax bill.