UK Tax Filing Questions

So I just moved to London at the beginning of December. I plan on filing my US taxes as normal through Turbotax since I received my last paycheck from the US today, and won't get a UK paycheck until January. I asked my boyfriend about filing taxes here in the UK and he tells me that's not a thing that needs to be done unless I am doing complex things like making loads of money off investments, etc (which I don't). But I'm very suspicious of this advice and I'd like to know more about my UK tax obligations. Or is this something I don't have to worry about until 2018 since I won't be paid until January...Or is their system somewhat different as the BF hints?

Yes, it's more automated here.  Your taxes will be done through payroll and HMRC will review them as needed and make adjustments to your paycheck if overpaid or underpaid.  It is much easier!

Yes, it's more automated here.  Your taxes will be done through payroll and HMRC will review them as needed and make adjustments to your paycheck if overpaid or underpaid.  It is much easier!

Does the fact that she has received a US paycheck while being tax resident here not add a wrinkle or two this first tax year? (April 2016 - April 2017)

"Make adjustments"? That makes me worried I may have wages garnered in future if there's a mistake on HR's end. Or is that uncommon?

"Make adjustments"? That makes me worried I may have wages garnered in future if there's a mistake on HR's end. Or is that uncommon?

If you have paid too little tax in one year then increased taxes will be withheld the following year from your paychecks.  Similarly if you overpaid less tax will be paid each paycheck.  You can always appeal if the sums are too large for your liking.

For folks with only one job and simple finances it is not common to get it wrong. 

"Make adjustments"? That makes me worried I may have wages garnered in future if there's a mistake on HR's end. Or is that uncommon?

I had a big mistake happen last year, no idea how they got it so wrong.  But my paychecks are now £300 a month less for the next year!  I should look into it more...

Does the fact that she has received a US paycheck while being tax resident here not add a wrinkle or two this first tax year? (April 2016 - April 2017)

I'll leave that to one of the tax experts.  I was fortunate enough to have UK and US tax support when on my work visa, so not sure how the transition works.

So, basically, all I have to concern myself with is my US taxes as far as making an effort to file?

Also: If my taxes are really simple, do I need to hire specialty preparers? I am looking at Greenback and I see H&R Block offers services, but I am a lowly nurse making nothing on the NHS and can't really afford to use the services unless I absolutely need to...

So, basically, all I have to concern myself with is my US taxes as far as making an effort to file?

Also: If my taxes are really simple, do I need to hire specialty preparers? I am looking at Greenback and I see H&R Block offers services, but I am a lowly nurse making nothing on the NHS and can't really afford to use the services unless I absolutely need to...

I think your US taxes should be simple enough for you to do yourself using whatever tax software you currently use (e.g. Turbotax, TaxAct etc).  When you file your US 2017 tax (in 2018) you will say that you have foreign earnings and the software will guide you through the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion form which will exclude all your UK earnings as a nurse.

That sounds great. I was stressed I would have to hire an adviser/accountant, but it doesn't make sense when I don't itemize or have anything complicated beyond income.

If you have accounts in the UK whose combined values are more than $10K you will need to file FBARS in the US...

That sounds great. I was stressed I would have to hire an adviser/accountant, but it doesn't make sense when I don't itemize or have anything complicated beyond income.

I have this year's version of TurboTax and our son is planning on moving to England at the end of next year so I just did a test run for him as if he had worked all year in the UK and had no income at all in the USA, which he won't have.

TurboTax walked me through his foreign address, foreign wages etc and the foreign earned income exclusion, which for a single person is $60,000, way more than he earns now in the USA or will earn in England, so his US tax return showed zero tax owed, AND it said it could be filed electronically.

He will have to file an FBAR as the money he moves over to the UK will be over $10k but that is easy to do and is also totally on-line.