Inpatriate In America (usa)

Fit_Like

Help! I cannot make up my mind!

My husband has been offered a job in the US, but the position is Inpatriate rather than Expatriate, this means that we would have to pay US Taxes, which are quite a lot it seem compared with the UK. Can anyone convince me that I should move my family for approx £100 more per month, with the current dollar v pound, my loss of family allowance and standard tax credit and a small part time job income - would I have a better standard of living?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Cheers

tiff

We moved to the US 10 years ago, we did our sums and it didnt seem worth it so we negotiated a better salary package. My husband paid US tax too.

^!£$&

I think it would be a fab experience so I say go for it! I would jump at the chance!

Voyager2002

Does the job provide decent health insurance for all the family? Otherwise, don't even think about it (the USA does not have anything like our NHS).

However, costs of housing, groceries and petrol are likely to be signficantly lower than in the UK, more than off-setting a possible reduction in take-home pay.

Perhaps the main disadvantage is that they don't have a proper educational system and so there are very few intelligent people with whom you can have a decent conversation. I mean, even journalists there can't spell properly!

Fit_Like

tiff wrote:

We moved to the US 10 years ago, we did our sums and it didnt seem worth it so we negotiated a better salary package. My husband paid US tax too.

We are trying to get a better deal at the mo and we keep getting the standard of living is so much better! We've been over for a look and to be honest I cant see that much a difference in the price of groceries, yes fuel is much cheaper, but I think thats about it.

tiff wrote:

Does the job provide decent health insurance for all the family? Otherwise, don't even think about it (the USA does not have anything like our NHS).

However, costs of housing, groceries and petrol are likely to be signficantly lower than in the UK, more than off-setting a possible reduction in take-home pay.

Perhaps the main disadvantage is that they don't have a proper educational system and so there are very few intelligent people with whom you can have a decent conversation. I mean, even journalists there can't spell properly!

Yes the health care, dental and vision are all deducted from the salary, for all of us. The company are providing a house, a car and shipping - am I being greedy in expecting more money? The company have been saying that its in their interest to have my hubby there. Re the schools, my son is 3 and daughter 20 weeks - so at this stage I am not too concerned re schooling, but it is something for the future.

Josie_Jump_3

The BBC's working lunch programme did a visit to America and compared supermarket prices to the Uk and there wasn't much difference at all. We've been to Florida a couple of times and I have to say I didn't think the price of food was better either, in some cases it was surprisingly more expensive. Given the chance I would love to move to the US.

polarbearit

US tax isn't as great as seems, lots of things can be 'deductions' meaning tax burden is not so great. Groceries vary in price substantially from the UK but probably average out about the same. Clothes etc cheaper.

Where in the USA are you heading? California and the North East appear the dearer places to live.

msw_2

hi, the package you are being offered sounds good. They do have a version of tax credits which you can claim at the end of the year when you do your taxes (not sure if you would be eligible though - if you are not a citizen?). We lived in California for several years and got a tax refund of around $1500 each year (everyone has to do their taxes each year - not sure how this works but we always got a refund). As long as your health insurance is covered you should be ok. I think they have less hidden taxes than we do (ie council tax, road tax etc). I think it varies from state to state but where we were the taxation for local services is also taken off your salary (quite fair really). You should alsotry to find out if the visa your husband will be on will allow you to work (you may want to in the future?....). If you do go, make sure you budget for trips back to the UK each year as I think with 2 kids you may want to come back and visit your family? Our problem with that part was always that we didn't have enough annual leave. Anyway, we loved it there, despite what people say they are not all idiots!! (...and lets face it...not all British folk are the full shilling!).

Fit_Like

Hi msw
Thanks - as we will be inpatriate and paying their taxes I think it should allow us that at the end of the year, the company are providing a tax person for the end of each year.

Yes we have ascertained that I should be able to work on my hubbys visa its a A1 one which allows that. The company will also pay for all 4 of us to fly back to the UK once per year, he is getting 20 days hols, plus 11 Statutory.

If we do decide to go it will be in the Oklahoma area, its such a difficult decision!

Thanks again.