Living in the UK Comes with Tax Questions You Didn’t Expect.
Does Life in the UK Raise Questions Like These?
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Living and working in the UK but maintaining financial ties to the U.S.
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Earning income from UK employment, self-employment, contracting, rental property, or investments
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Holding UK bank accounts, ISAs, or workplace pensions and unsure what needs to be reported
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Confused about terms like Foreign Tax Credit (FTC), FBAR, FATCA, or Making Tax Digital (MTD)
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Assuming you don’t owe U.S. tax because UK rates are higher, but uncertain about filing requirements
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Behind on U.S. filing because the dual obligations felt too complicated
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Wondering if your UK Self-Assessment and U.S. return need to be coordinated
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Concerned about ISA tax treatment or UK pension reporting on U.S. returns
Start your U.S. expat tax return today.
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Before you decide what to do next, it helps to understand how UK and U.S. rules intersect. These guides focus on the questions U.S. citizens and green card holders in the UK most often encounter.
Do U.S. Citizens Living in the UK Pay Tax Twice?
UK tax rates are often higher than U.S. rates, but that doesn’t automatically mean your U.S. filing is simple. The U.S.-UK tax treaty, Foreign Tax Credits, and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion work together to prevent double taxation for most Americans living in the UK. Learn more about U.S. expat taxes in the UK
UK Bank Accounts, ISAs, and U.S. Reporting Requirements
Many everyday UK accounts trigger U.S. reporting, even when no tax is owed. ISAs are tax-advantaged in the UK but don’t receive the same treatment under U.S. tax law. The IRS treats ISA income as fully taxable, and many ISA investments may be considered PFICs requiring complex reporting. Learn more about ISA tax treatment for U.S. citizens
How UK Pensions Are Treated on a U.S. Tax Return
UK workplace pensions and SIPPs don’t map cleanly to U.S. retirement rules. Foreign pensions generally must be reported on both FBAR (if aggregate accounts exceed $10,000) and potentially on Form 8938 for FATCA compliance. Pension contributions and growth often have different tax treatment in the U.S. versus the UK. Learn more about foreign pension taxation
Making Tax Digital (MTD): What It Means If You Live in the UK
If you’re self-employed or earn UK rental income exceeding £50,000, MTD will require quarterly digital reporting to HMRC starting April 2026. While MTD is a UK requirement, it affects how income is tracked and aligned with U.S. tax filings. Learn more about Making Tax Digital
FBAR and FATCA for UK Residents
FBAR thresholds are lower than many expect—just $10,000 aggregate across all foreign accounts. This includes UK current accounts, savings accounts, ISAs, and pensions. Form 8938 (FATCA) has higher thresholds but covers a broader range of foreign assets. Learn more about FBAR filing requirements
UK Self-Assessment and U.S. Tax Coordination
If you need to file both a UK Self-Assessment Tax Return with HMRC and a U.S. tax return with the IRS, coordinated filing ensures accurate reporting across both systems. Exchange rate conversions, overlapping deadlines, and dual filing obligations create complexity that benefits from specialized expertise. Learn more about UK Self-Assessment for U.S. expatsFeatured In
Real Stories From U.S. Expats in the UK Just Like You
Always filed our expat taxes from UK ourselves until retirement but pension filing made absolutely no sense to us. Thankfully, Greenback sorted it out for us.
Communication was fantastic – always got a response, if not immediately, within a few hours even with the time difference.
Will be definitely filing again with Greenback
4.84/5
4.9/5
4.8/5
Support That Covers Both Sides of Your UK–U.S. Tax Life
Living in the UK often means navigating two tax systems with different rules, timelines, and reporting requirements. Our services are designed to help you stay compliant, make informed decisions, and move forward with clarity, whether you’re filing your annual return, catching up, or planning.
Annual U.S. Expat Tax Filing for UK Residents
We prepare your U.S. tax return with full consideration of UK income, taxes paid, and reporting obligations. We apply the right mix of Foreign Tax Credits, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, and U.S.-UK treaty positions so your filing reflects how life in the UK works. Our standard Federal Tax Return package includes Form 1040, Form 2555 (FEIE), Form 1116 (FTC), all standard schedules, and up to 20 bank and brokerage transactions.
$565
USD
UK Self-Assessment Tax Return Services
For clients who want coordinated support, we provide UK tax preparation through our UK Chartered Accountant. This includes UK Self-Assessment returns (SA100), rental income reporting, self-employment income, and guidance on Making Tax Digital compliance. Your U.S. and UK accountants work together within the Greenback team, so you upload documents once and receive coordinated filing across both countries.
$910
USD
FBAR & FATCA Reporting for UK Accounts
UK bank accounts, joint accounts, savings, ISAs, and pensions commonly trigger U.S. reporting requirements. We help you determine which accounts must be reported on FBAR (FinCEN Form 114), calculate the $10,000 aggregate threshold correctly, and prepare Form 8938 for FATCA compliance when your foreign assets exceed the applicable thresholds. Our FBAR service starts at $125 for up to 5 accounts.
$125+
USD
Catch-Up Filing (Streamlined Procedures)
If you’ve missed U.S. filings while living in the UK, the IRS Streamlined Filing Procedures often provide a path to compliance without penalties. We prepare the required three years of returns, six years of FBARs, and help you certify that your failure to file was non-willful. Most Americans in the UK owe little or nothing after Foreign Tax Credits are applied.
$1,750
USD
Self-Employment, Contracting & Rental Income Support
If your UK income includes freelance work, contracting, or property rental, we support the related U.S. filings including Schedule C, self-employment tax considerations, and coordination with UK reporting requirements. For those subject to Making Tax Digital, we help ensure your UK quarterly reporting aligns with your annual U.S. filing.
$750+
USD
Strategic Tax Consultations for UK Expats
If you’re unsure what applies to your UK situation or want to understand your options before committing, speak with an expat tax professional who understands both the U.S. and UK systems. We help clarify obligations, explain how ISAs and pensions are treated, discuss Making Tax Digital implications, and outline next steps. Consultations start at $250.
$250+
USD
Your Questions, Answered: US Tax Guides & Resources
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FAQs for U.S. Citizens Living in the UK
Do I still need to file U.S. taxes if I live in the UK and can Greenback help me figure that out?
Yes. U.S. citizens and green card holders must file U.S. tax returns regardless of where they live. Greenback specializes in helping UK-based expats understand their filing requirements, determine which income and accounts must be reported, and apply Foreign Tax Credits and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion to minimize or eliminate U.S. tax liability. Most Americans in the UK owe little or nothing after available protections are properly applied.
I haven’t filed U.S. taxes in several years while living in the UK. Who can help me catch up?
Greenback specializes in helping U.S. citizens living in the UK catch up on missed U.S. tax filings through the IRS Streamlined Filing Procedures. This program is designed for expats who didn’t intentionally avoid filing. We evaluate your eligibility, prepare the required three years of returns and six years of FBARs, and help you become compliant. Most clients face no penalties when the Streamlined Procedures are used correctly.
Learn more about Streamlined Filing services
What’s the best U.S. tax service for Americans living in the UK who are behind on filings?
Greenback Expat Tax Services focuses exclusively on U.S. expats, including those living in the UK. The firm regularly helps clients who have fallen behind understand their options, prepare prior-year returns, and address foreign income and account reporting accurately.
Can Greenback help me determine if my UK bank accounts need to be reported to the IRS?
Yes. Greenback helps U.S. citizens in the UK determine which foreign accounts must be reported to the IRS. If your UK current accounts, savings accounts, joint accounts, ISAs, and pensions exceed $10,000 aggregate at any point during the year, FBAR filing is required. We calculate your thresholds correctly, prepare FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR), and handle Form 8938 for FATCA compliance when applicable.
Are ISAs a problem for U.S. citizens in the UK, and can Greenback help?
Yes, ISAs create U.S. tax complications. While ISAs are tax-free in the UK, the IRS doesn’t recognize their tax-advantaged status. All ISA interest, dividends, and capital gains are taxable on your U.S. return. Additionally, many ISA investments (mutual funds, ETFs) may be PFICs requiring Form 8621 and triggering punitive tax treatment. Greenback helps you understand ISA tax implications and ensures they’re reported correctly.
Can Greenback help me file both my U.S. and UK tax returns?
Yes. Greenback offers coordinated U.S. and UK tax preparation through our partnership with a UK Chartered Accountant. You upload your documents once through your secure Tax Companion account, and your U.S. and UK accountants work together to ensure accurate, tax-efficient reporting across both countries. This coordination prevents errors, maximizes treaty benefits, and ensures your filings are aligned.
I’m self-employed in the UK and hearing about Making Tax Digital (MTD). Can Greenback help?
Yes. Making Tax Digital applies starting April 2026 if your income from self-employment or UK property exceeds £50,000. MTD requires quarterly digital reporting to HMRC. While MTD is a UK requirement, it affects how income is tracked and categorized for both UK and U.S. tax purposes. Greenback helps ensure your MTD reporting aligns with your U.S. annual filing requirements.
I live in the UK and don’t owe U.S. tax, do I still need a tax service like Greenback?
Many UK-based U.S. citizens don’t owe U.S. tax due to Foreign Tax Credits or exclusions, but filing is still required. Greenback helps ensure returns are filed correctly so that compliance is documented and future issues are avoided.
File Both Your U.S. and UK Taxes With Confidence. Prevent Double Taxation.
