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jah


Dooney & Bourke

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Working Abroad
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Has anyone taken an assignment with their company abroad (specifically London).  Would love some opinions and information on the tax situation, apartment finding, goods/bads, etc.


My company has US offices and international offices.  We had our major consulting meetings this week in my city and I was invited for drinks with the consulting lead in the UK.  I happened to mention that I thought I should be transferred to the London office to serve as the consulting/product expert while still working for my current boss (I LOVE my boss).  Anyway, much to my surprise, the consulting head honcho said "if you want that, I will make it happen, just say the word".  Anyway, he wants me to talk to my boss, but I'm sure my boss will support the move. The consulting leader told me that he would like to "share my salary" with my current boss, but my reporting structure would remain the same...


So, now I feel like I need to do some research, which I clearly DID NOT DO prior to rather randomly suggesting this idea. 


Any advice/stories appreciated!  I travel to London frequently, so I am familiar with the city and love it, just am not sure about the differences between visiting and living in a foreign city.  


TIA! 



-- Edited by jah at 01:19, 2006-10-16

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halleybird


Hermes

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I don't really have any info for you, but I LOVE London and it would be fun to live there, esp. temporarily!

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Alikat


Kate Spade

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I think living in a foreign city is much more enriching than visiting.  You make local friends and get to know the neighborhoods... its a great way to get to know a country.  I lived in England for two years while in school and feel like it is my second home (and get pretty nostalgic for it too).  I've been to friends weddings in England and I have some friends coming to mine!  It's brilliant as they would say.


In terms of taxes, I would definitely consult a professional.  I worked as a student in England but didn't make enough money to warrant paying taxes in the US.  


I think situations like this do not come around that often, so take advantage of it if you can!    



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Marc Jacobs

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Congratulations! I would love to get transferred to my firm's London or Paris office but I have a feeling no one will tell me "say the word and I'll make it happen!"

I have never worked abroad but I've looked into it a bit and my boyfriend has had jobs in France and Holland since we started dating. It will probably be pretty easy for you if you are moving abroad for a job rather than just trying to do it on your own. However my boyfriend moved to Utrecht for a government-sponsored position at the university there and he has been trapped in a bureacratic nightmare for months so I guess you never know. If I were in your shoes I'd make sure that the people in the London office have lots of experience with getting Americans set up to get whatever UK residency papers that you need, bank account, etc. I'd also ask them if they can assist with apartment finding or temporary housing at all because if you don't get your bank account right away it could make finding an apartment more difficult.

As far as taxes, even if you are paying UK taxes you still have to pay US taxes but if you are living in a foreign country for a full year you can exclude up to a certain amount of your salary - I think it's 80k. If you Google something like "expatriates US taxes" you'll find a lot of info. I helped my bf with his tax stuff and I don't remember what forms he had to file but there was a booklet on the IRS website about expats.

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