92. PFICs, State Taxes and Costly Mistakes for Americans Moving to Britain

92. PFICs, State Taxes and Costly Mistakes for Americans Moving to Britain

Moving to the UK can be an exciting opportunity, but for Americans abroad, it often comes with a harsh reality: the US tax system doesn’t stay behind. This episode delivers practical advice for expats navigating dual tax UK and US obligations.    Richard Taylor, Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Plan First Wealth, is joined by Sally Hawkins, Tax Partner at Gunnar Cook, to unpack some of the biggest tax mistakes Americans make when relocating to the UK and why so many expats find themselves caught out by rules they never knew existed. As an expat wealth advisor specializing in cross border financial planning, Richard breaks down what British expat and American abroad needs to know.    From citizenship-based taxation and PFIC reporting requirements to ISA pitfalls, foreign investment restrictions and complex filing obligations, Richard and Sally explain why moving overseas rarely simplifies your tax affairs and how innocent mistakes can quickly become expensive problems.     The conversation also explores the challenges faced by internationally mobile professionals, including equity compensation, founder shares, restricted stock units (RSUs) and why a lack of planning before a move can trigger unexpected tax bills long after arriving in the UK. For anyone weighing expat retirement planning, UK pension treatment, or US pensions across borders, the right financial advice makes all the difference.    Richard and Sally also discuss one of the most overlooked issues for Americans abroad: state tax exposure. They explain why states such as New York and California may continue to claim taxing rights even after you've left the country and what steps can help break those ties properly and the kind of US tax help that protects your international wealth.    Whether you're planning a move to Britain, already living in the UK, or advising internationally mobile professionals, this episode offers practical insights into the tax landmines that can derail even the most carefully planned relocation.    --    Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.    https://planfirstwealth.com/ [https://planfirstwealth.com/]    --    Expat Wealth is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.      Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.    ABOUT RICHARD:  Richard Taylor is a British expat, dual citizen (UK & US). Originally from Bolton, he now lives in Greenwich, CT, where Plan First Wealth has its head office.  As the firm’s leader, Richard launched Taylor & Taylor, now Plan First Wealth, and continues to fuel the firm’s growth. Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner (UK – CII) in addition to holding the IMC (CFA UK) and Series 65 (US – FINRA).  Connect with Richard on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtaylorifa/]

91. The Great IPO Boom: SpaceX, OpenAI and the Future of Investing

The stock market continues to push higher, but beneath the surface, investors are facing some increasingly difficult questions. Are markets becoming too concentrated? Are mega-cap technology companies becoming too dominant? And could a wave of blockbuster IPOs change investing forever?  Richard Taylor, Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Plan First Wealth, is joined by Brian Dunhill, founder of Dunhill Financial, for another episode of Macro Aggressions to unpack the latest developments shaping markets and investor sentiment.   From rising inflation and higher energy prices to the growing debate around interest rates, Richard and Brian explore why markets remain surprisingly resilient despite a backdrop of economic uncertainty and geopolitical instability.   The conversation also dives into what could become one of the biggest investing stories of the decade. With SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic and several major fintech companies reportedly preparing for public listings, Richard and Brian discuss what these IPOs could mean for passive investors, market concentration and the future of the S&P 500 essential financial advice for any expat wealth audience watching their portfolios.   They also examine whether today's markets are showing signs of a bubble, why retail investors have more influence than ever before, and how diversification can help investors navigate an increasingly concentrated market environment, the kind of perspective a seasoned international wealth advisor brings to cross border financial planning.  Finally, the episode explores a trend that directly impacts the Expat Wealth audience: the growing movement of Americans relocating overseas. Richard and Brian discuss the destinations attracting affluent Americans, the opportunities emerging across Europe and South America, and the cross border financial planning mistakes that can create costly problems later on, exactly why expat retirement planning and early advice for expats matters so much before you go.   Whether you're concerned about inflation, curious about the next generation of IPOs, or planning your own move abroad, this episode offers practical insights into the forces shaping both markets and global mobility, with an expat wealth advisor's lens throughout.  --  Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as expat retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.  https://planfirstwealth.com/ [https://planfirstwealth.com/]  --  Expat Wealth is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.      Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.    ABOUT RICHARD:  Richard Taylor is a British expat, dual citizen (UK & US). Originally from Bolton, he now lives in Greenwich, CT, where Plan First Wealth has its head office.  As the firm’s leader, Richard launched Taylor & Taylor, now Plan First Wealth, and continues to fuel the firm’s growth. Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner (UK – CII) in addition to holding the IMC (CFA UK) and Series 65 (US – FINRA).  Connect with Richard on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtaylorifa/]

90. Golden Visa or Regular Visa? Getting Real About Moving to Portugal

More Americans are leaving the United States than at any point in recent memory, and Portugal has become one of the most searched destinations. But what's driving the move, and what happens once you get there?   Richard Taylor is joined by John McNertney, Founder of Green Ocean Global Advisors, to unpack the realities of relocating from the US to Portugal. John has lived the journey himself. After moving from San Francisco to Lisbon during the pandemic, he now helps American expats, retirees, and internationally minded families navigate cross-border financial planning, US expat taxes, residency options, and long-term wealth management while living abroad.   Together, Richard and John explore why Portugal has become such a hotspot for Americans, what's changed politically and financially in recent years, and why so many expats are now thinking seriously about building a life and a financial foundation outside the United States.   The conversation gets into the practical detail that most people miss before they move: the difference between the Portugal Golden Visa and the D7 visa, the financial traps Americans fall into with PFICs, trusts, IRAs, and cross-border investment structures, and why proper planning before the move can save years of stress and significant money later on.   Richard and John also explore the emotional reality of expat life, including integration, language learning, culture shock, and why living abroad fundamentally changes the way people think about money, opportunity, and freedom.   Whether you're seriously considering a move to Portugal, researching second residency options, or simply curious why so many Americans are looking overseas right now, this episode offers a grounded and honest look at the opportunities and challenges of modern expat life. --  Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.   https://planfirstwealth.com/ [https://planfirstwealth.com/] -- Expat Wealth is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.    Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.   ABOUT RICHARD: Richard Taylor is a British expat, dual citizen (UK & US). Originally from Bolton, he now lives in Greenwich, CT, where Plan First Wealth has its head office. As the firm’s leader, Richard launched Taylor & Taylor, now Plan First Wealth, and continues to fuel the firm’s growth. Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner (UK – CII) in addition to holding the IMC (CFA UK) and Series 65 (US – FINRA). Connect with Richard on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardtaylorifa/]

89. UK Pension Risks, SpaceX’s IPO Frenzy and America’s Housing Crisis

Markets continue pushing higher, AI stocks are still surging, and now SpaceX is preparing for what could become one of the biggest IPOs in history. But beneath the surface, Richard and James unpack why some of today’s biggest market stories may be creating risks passive investors aren’t paying enough attention to.  In this episode of From the Trenches, Richard Taylor and James Boyle break down the growing concerns around index inclusion rules, passive investing, and why companies like SpaceX could fundamentally reshape how retail investors interact with the market. They also discuss rising oil prices, inflation pressure, interest rates, and whether America’s global dominance is beginning to shift.  The conversation then turns to one of the biggest issues currently facing British expats in America: UK pensions. Richard and James explain what a SIPP actually is, why so many expats leave old pensions untouched for decades, and the hidden costs, tax complications, and missed opportunities that can follow. They also unpack the upcoming UK inheritance tax changes on pensions and why these rules could dramatically change retirement planning for UK nationals living in the US.  Finally, the episode explores the fascinating “Pig in the Python” demographic theory and why baby boomers may be unintentionally reshaping housing markets, politics, retirement systems, and economic growth for younger generations.    --    Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.    https://planfirstwealth.com/ [https://planfirstwealth.com/]    --    Expat Wealth is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.      Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.

88. Portugal for American Expats: Golden Visas, Tax Traps and Big Rule Changes

Portugal has become one of the most popular destinations for Americans moving abroad, but the move is not always as simple as it looks. From visas and tax residency to Golden Visa funds, PFIC reporting, retirement accounts and recent citizenship changes, there are plenty of details that can catch Americans out if they do not plan properly.  Richard Taylor - dual UK/US citizen and Chartered Financial Planner - is joined by Zeev Fisher - an international advisor and founder of Fresh Legal Group - a boutique firm specialising in international wealth and cross-border tax. Together, they unpack what Americans need to know before moving to Portugal, especially those navigating US tax, expat tax advice, and complex cross-border rules.  They break down the key visa routes for Americans, including the D7 passive income visa and the D8 digital nomad visa, and when a Golden Visa makes sense. They also explain how PFIC rules can create unexpected US tax issues, why using retirement funds for a Golden Visa investment can trigger serious penalties if done incorrectly, and how these decisions fit into broader cross border financial planning.  Richard and Zeev also discuss Portugal’s new tax regime replacing the former non-habitual resident system, and what it means in practice for Americans moving over today. Finally, they break down the recent citizenship rule changes and why they have become such a major issue for current and future expats, particularly those thinking long term about expat retirement planning or building a life overseas.  –  Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.  https://planfirstwealth.com/  –  Expat Wealth is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.  Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.