I realize I'm a bit late to this thread, but I did this in about 2012 because I had been doing just as you were, just excluding everything because it seemed easy, but I then realized I was missing out on the free cash! So, I refiled for the previous three years as my first child was born in 2009. To be honest, it's one of the biggest reason I don't give up my US citizenship! Once I can no longer claim this money, I'll renounce (unless something truly unexpected happnes).

Given the UK's tax structure, for the majority of US expats the only benefit of taking the FEIE in the UK (as opposed to taking FTCs for UK income tax paid) is a simpler tax return. (Because of that, and since once you "revoke" the FEIE you can't go back for five years except under certain circumstances, I often recommend new USC-in-UK expats try both ways.)

The Non-Domicile “Non-Doms” Regime Tax Reform discussed in this thread should be safe as it was originally a Labor proposal before being adopted by the current UK Government. There is some chatter about them wanting to prevent the 50% exemption for foreign income in 2025/26 which the see as a loophole. I havent heard anything about the 4 year tax relief for newcomers which Im hoping would go forward as it could increase long term revenue

I'm sure this has been covered in detail so if any kind person can point me to another thread I'd be grateful!

For a US licensed driver who has been driving for nearly 30 years, I find the licensing process here difficult.  Due to work and a young family I've put it off for far too long, mainly due to the sticking point of having to send my passport to the DVLA. I travel for overseas for work twice a month, so this is not an option. 

I checked with the embassy and they do not offer the short term second passport for this purpose (only for visas).  As I understand it, I would have to:
-Send the passport (up to 6 weeks turn around)
-Take the theory test
-Take lessons (difficult with work and young family but anyway)
-Take the practical test

Has anyone found any work around, faster way?  Seems onerous for Americans to drive here when in most European countries you just show your US Drivers License. 

Grateful for feedback!

 

According to your posts, you have been living in the UK since 2015. Is that right?  You can only drive in the UK for 1 year on a valid US driving licence.

I'm sure this has been covered in detail so if any kind person can point me to another thread I'd be grateful!

For a US licensed driver who has been driving for nearly 30 years, I find the licensing process here difficult.  Due to work and a young family I've put it off for far too long, mainly due to the sticking point of having to send my passport to the DVLA. I travel for overseas for work twice a month, so this is not an option. 

I checked with the embassy and they do not offer the short term second passport for this purpose (only for visas).  As I understand it, I would have to:
-Send the passport (up to 6 weeks turn around)
-Take the theory test
-Take lessons (difficult with work and young family but anyway)
-Take the practical test

Has anyone found any work around, faster way?  Seems onerous for Americans to drive here when in most European countries you just show your US Drivers License. 

Grateful for feedback!

 

Good timing as I'm planning a return to the UK in 2026 after 30+ years in US 

I'm wondering if the "4 years of tax-free foreign income and capital gains" might help avoid UK taxes on a 401k to mega-backdoor Roth conversion after return to UK? Not sure how that would be classified