US & UK returns under one roofInvestments, property & company holdingsFBAR, FATCA & PFIC handledFixed fees, quoted up front

Once your wealth involves more than a salary — investments, a company, property, equity pay, several years of filings — the US and UK tax systems start to collide. Private client tax services exist to keep the two in step: one team that prepares both returns, applies the treaty and the credits that lower your bill, and plans the timing of the events that would otherwise cost you.

TaxYork advises high-net-worth Americans in the UK, and their families and other advisers, across the full picture — federal Form 1040, FBAR and FATCA, UK Self Assessment, PFIC reporting on UK funds, company reporting, pensions and the US-UK treaty. Everything reconciled, everything documented.

Every engagement starts with a review and a fixed quote, so you know the cost and the plan before we begin.

When wealth spans two tax systems, the mistakes get expensive. Private client tax services exist to make sure they never happen to you.

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Why cross-border wealth needs a single, dual-qualified team

The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April; the US runs on the calendar year. When a UK accountant and a US preparer work in isolation, the Foreign Tax Credit, exchange rates and the timing of income rarely line up — and for a high-net-worth client that mismatch can leave real tax with no credit to claim against it. Private client tax services put both returns in one team’s hands so they reconcile.

US citizens are taxed on worldwide income wherever they live, so an American in Britain files with both the IRS and HMRC every year. Getting the interaction right is the whole job.

The areas where private client tax planning earns its fee

Investments. UK funds, investment trusts and ISAs are almost always PFICs to the IRS, taxed under a punitive default regime with Form 8621 reporting unless the right election is made in time.

Company holdings. A US owner of a UK company usually files Form 5471, and profits can be taxed in the US under the GILTI rules before a penny is distributed.

Equity and disposals. Share awards, options and asset sales are taxed on different dates in each country; planning the timing across the two tax years is where a private client team protects real money.

Pensions. The US-UK tax treaty decides when UK pension growth and withdrawals are taxable in the US — and the 25% UK tax-free lump sum is not automatically tax-free to the IRS.

Discretion, coordination and compliance that lasts

Private clients rarely have a single adviser. We work alongside your UK accountant, wealth manager and lawyers, own the US-UK tax picture, and document every position so it holds up. If you have fallen behind, most non-wilful taxpayers come back into compliance penalty-free through the IRS Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures.

The aim is simple: your wealth compliant on both sides, your bill as low as the rules allow, and no surprises.

Private client tax services vs a generalist accountant

A generalist can file a simple return. For cross-border wealth, the gaps become expensive fast.

What you getPrivate client (TaxYork)Generalist accountant
US Form 1040 + UK Self Assessment together
FBAR, FATCA & PFIC reporting
Form 5471 / GILTI on company holdings
US-UK treaty & Foreign Tax Credit planningRarely
Timing of disposals & equity events
Coordinates with your other advisersSometimes

Why high-net-worth clients choose TaxYork

Both sides, one team

Your US and UK positions are prepared together, so nothing falls through the gap between two accountants.

Depth on the hard stuff

PFIC, Form 5471, GILTI, equity pay and treaty positions are everyday work, not edge cases.

Discreet and coordinated

We work alongside your existing advisers and keep your affairs private.

Fixed fees

A clear price after a short review — the expertise costs far less than a wrong return.

How it works

01

Consultation

We map your income, investments, holdings and filing history on both sides.

02

Fixed quote

A clear fee and a plan for your US and UK filings and planning.

03

Preparation

Both returns prepared together, with the right elections, credits and treaty positions.

04

File & plan

We file and set out the moves that lower next year’s combined bill.

Frequently asked questions

What are private client tax services?

Private client tax services are tax compliance and planning for high-net-worth individuals and families rather than corporations. For a US citizen or green card holder in the UK that means preparing the US federal return, FBAR and FATCA disclosures and the UK Self Assessment together, and planning around investments, property, company holdings and pensions so the combined US and UK tax bill is as low as the rules allow.

Who needs private client tax services?

Business owners, investors, executives with equity pay, landlords with portfolios, and anyone with substantial foreign accounts, funds or company holdings. Once wealth spans two tax systems, generalist software and single-country accountants routinely miss PFIC reporting, Form 5471, treaty positions and the timing traps that cost the most.

Do private client tax services cover both US and UK tax?

Yes. TaxYork prepares your US and UK returns together so credits, exchange rates and elections reconcile across both countries, and applies the US-UK tax treaty and the Foreign Tax Credit so income is not taxed twice.

How do private client tax advisers help wealthy expats save tax?

By applying the Foreign Tax Credit and treaty articles correctly, choosing the right elections on investments and company holdings, timing disposals and equity events across the two tax years, and keeping you compliant so penalties never arise. The saving is usually far greater than the fee.

Do you work with high-net-worth families in London?

Yes. Our London office focuses on the US-UK corridor, where cross-border rules are most complex. We advise HNW individuals, families and their other advisers across investments, property and business interests.

How much do private client tax services cost?

We quote a fixed fee up front after a short review of your income, accounts and holdings, so you know the cost before any work begins. Book a consultation for a clear number.

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Ready to get
your US taxes
sorted?

Whether you need help with IRS Streamlined filings, annual US tax returns, or cross-border tax planning — our team is here for you.

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