Your US finances. Your UK tax responsibilities. A clearer way forward.
Living in the UK while receiving income, holding investments or maintaining financial ties in the United States can make your UK tax position difficult to establish. We provide specialist UK tax research, written advice and Self Assessment support for US citizens and other US-connected individuals living in, moving to or leaving the UK.
Our starting point is to understand the facts, establish the relevant UK tax treatment and explain what needs to happen next. Where appropriate, we prepare a formal written UK tax opinion before undertaking the UK tax return.
Need clarity on your UK tax position? Request a UK tax review and briefly tell us about your circumstances.
When can we help?
Cross-border cases often hinge on dates, documents and the particular type of income or asset involved.
A move across the Atlantic
You have moved from the US to the UK and are unsure when UK tax residence began or whether split-year treatment applies.
US employment and share awards
You work remotely from Britain for a US employer or receive US employment income, bonuses, restricted stock units or other share awards.
US investment accounts
You hold US brokerage accounts, receive dividends or interest, sell investments or own US rental property.
Pensions and retirement
You have US pensions or retirement arrangements and need to understand their UK treatment.
Cross-border income and gains
You have income or gains from more than one country, or have outstanding UK Self Assessment returns.
Complex UK tax questions
You want a reasoned UK tax opinion on residence, treaty provisions, foreign tax relief or your reporting obligations.
Our two-stage approach
We agree the scope first, establish the UK position and only then move to UK filing work where needed.
1. Formal UK tax review and written opinion
We define the questions and tax years covered, gather relevant evidence and carry out the necessary technical research. Depending on your circumstances, the analysis can address:
The written report sets out the facts relied upon, relevant UK rules and treaty provisions, conclusions, assumptions and recommended next steps. The precise scope is agreed before work begins. Not every enquiry needs an extensive report, and we will explain when a more limited review is appropriate.
2. UK Self Assessment preparation, where required
Once the technical position is established, we can prepare the relevant UK Self Assessment tax return and supporting calculations, including foreign income, gains and applicable UK relief claims. Tax return preparation can be included in the engagement or quoted separately, depending on complexity and the years involved.
Issues your UK tax review can cover
Examples of questions we help resolve
Four recurring questions illustrate why a case-specific UK analysis matters.
“I have moved to London, but I still receive US income. What must I report to HMRC?”
We would first review the applicable UK tax year, residence and any split-year treatment, then assess each source of income under UK law and the treaty. A US return alone is not necessarily a suitable basis for the UK reporting figures.
“I work remotely in the UK for an American company. Where is my salary taxable?”
The analysis may involve where work is physically carried out, residence, employment income rules, treaty provisions and possible UK payroll obligations. We establish the relevant facts rather than assuming that payment by a US employer makes the salary US-only income.
“I have US investments or retirement accounts. Will the UK tax them?”
Different investment and retirement arrangements can receive different UK treatment. We examine the actual accounts, income and transactions and identify where specialist US tax coordination may also be necessary.
“I already file a US tax return. Do I also need to file in the UK?”
Filing in the US does not by itself determine your UK reporting obligations. We review your residence, income, gains and applicable UK rules to establish whether Self Assessment is required, and can coordinate UK reporting figures with your US tax adviser where necessary.
What you receive
The work is scoped to the questions you need answered, with UK return preparation available separately where appropriate.
A clearly defined scope and fixed-fee quotation before substantive advisory work.
A structured information and document request tailored to your position.
An evidence-based written UK tax analysis where commissioned.
A practical explanation of UK tax liabilities, relevant reliefs, filing obligations and next steps.
Optional preparation of your UK tax return and coordination with your US tax adviser.
A clear record of the facts, assumptions and tax years underpinning any commissioned written UK tax opinion.
UK tax expertise, with clear boundaries
Specialist UK advice and reporting support for people whose financial affairs cross the Atlantic.
TaxTrends is supported by the UK tax expertise of TaxAssist Accountants Chiswick. We provide advice from a UK tax perspective, including analysis of the UK–US treaty insofar as it affects your UK position. We do not provide US federal or state tax-return preparation or a formal opinion on US domestic tax law. Where the interaction with US tax is material, we can work alongside your appropriately qualified US adviser.
Any written opinion depends on complete and accurate facts and the law relevant to the tax years under review. It is professional advice, not a guarantee that HMRC or another authority will agree.
Explore our free guides for Americans in the UK
If you are still researching the basics, start with our Americans Living in the UK: The Essentials and Income, Investments & Reporting. These articles provide background information; a personalised review applies the rules to your actual circumstances.
Fees and next steps
Formal written advice is quoted on a fixed-fee basis after a preliminary assessment of the tax years, jurisdictions, income sources and technical questions involved. UK Self Assessment preparation is scoped separately where relevant. This avoids charging for work you do not need and makes clear what is included.
To enquire: Email us to request a UK tax review. Please mention when you arrived in or left the UK, the tax years concerned, the types of US income or assets involved and whether you already work with a US tax professional. Do not send sensitive identity or financial documents by ordinary email before we arrange a secure method.