I asked this question over at BritishExpats and got the advice (from nun) to post here. This site seems to have a lot of information so here's hoping!
Brief background:
Dual US/UK citizen, originally from UK, left the UK with various private pension plans in place and then, 18 months ago I moved them all into a SIPP which has been doing very well since then. Obviously all these gains are unrealized and no contributions have been made to the SIPP since it was opened.
As far as I can see, since I received no income or distribution from this SIPP, but it did do well and realized some Capital Gains, I only need to file the FBAR/FATCA (Yes it's enough for both of those) and then file the 8833 to invoke article 18 of the tax treaty on the gains.
But where I'm drawing a blank is what to put in the 8833 box "List the Internal Revenue Code provision(s) overruled or modified by the treaty-based position" and also is there anything to put in box 4 on this same form - "List the provision of the limitation on benefits article in the treaty that the taxpayer relies on to prevent application of this article".
Phew, I consider my command of English to be pretty good, who the hell writes this stuff???
I'm aware that the range of professional opinions on SIPP IRS filing goes from "only FBAR and FATCA are required since it's a pension under the language of the treaty" to "you need to file 3520, 3520-A, 8833, FATCA, FBAR and carefully examine any and all investments in the SIPP for PFIC's". I'm trying to steer the middle course here.
I'm sure many will say to use a professional and I understand that POV but even professionals cannot agree on this and my view is that they will always take the "ass protect" view (their ass, not mine). Plus common sense tells me that this should NOT be rocket science - I'm a poor individual simply trying to ensure that my final years not be pennyless - it simply shouldn't be necessary to employ a professional to sort this out.