I don't know if this is very well known, I am not the USC so maybe it's very common knowledge, but I didn't know before, and I'm excited.

Here's the link for more info.

I for one will be shipping everything i can now!
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf

Be careful, this may not necessarily apply to immigration to be with your SO

oh

I suppose it might not work for everyone, but since we're doing DCF my SO will be moving too, that should work, right?

hi

I know this fact... there are some restrictions to it to ask for deduction .. like if you move away certain miles from your current home then you can claim the tax deduction. I will have to read the IRS website to confirm the same

Jigi

At the very best all it means is you don't pay tax on income equivalent to the moving costs, not that you get the total cost back if I've understood it correctly.

Well I'll restate my disclaimer that I'm very new to this, but it seems to me work doesn't have to be the main reason for the move, so long as the move is closely related to it in time and distance.

If your reimbursed by an employer for the expenses it get's more complicated. But from my reading it seems to be a tax deduction.

Lansbury, how do you tell the difference between a simple deductible, and something that is deducted from your taxable income?

thx, Poit
xx

wrong, just from looking at the first few pages of this pdf file, it clearly states the move has to be work related (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p521.pdf):

"Who Can Deduct Moving Expenses
You can deduct your moving expenses if you meet all three
of the following requirements.
1. Your move is closely related to the start of work.
2. You meet the distance test.
3. You meet the time test."

Exceptions only for Retirees, survivors, and Armed Forces members.

But we ARE moving because of work. Yes we want to move to the US, but at the moment we are both here and working in the UK, and both of us feel that our work opportunities would be better in the US. Therefore we are moving for work, even if we haven't found the jobs before we arrive

I read it the same way you do Poiteen.

The Moving Expenses are not deductible if they are not closely realted to work. I don't know about your individual case, but people on this forum move to the US for immigration purposes not for working in the US. Later, when they find and start work its incidental not the primary reason for moving. Also, the deduction is available only to US Citizens or US Residents. Even if you file a joint return with your citizen/resident spouse, your move if not work related but immigration related hence the Moving Expenses deduction is not allowed. As for those who move on Work Visas, they are not US Citizens or Residents, so are anyway not eligible for the deduction.

Charuhans

I do tax returns for a large International Bank... You can not claim your move to the US as moving expenses on your tax return even if your spouse has been living with you in another country.... Unless one of the following applies:-

1. Your spouse is employed by a US company and their place of work in outside the US and they are now returning to the US to continue their employment. (In most cases the Employer will pay your shipping costs and expenses).

2. You are returning to the US because you are retiring from employment and are aged over 55 years old or are in ill health or disabled and are receiving a retirement payment or pension.

3. You are the Survivors of a USC who was working abroad at the time of their death, you must move back to the US within 6 months of their death and you must be moving from a home you shared together.

You can not claim anything for the costs involved with immigration or the related move.

Kez

Good info - what happens if you are self employed?

You still cant claim. as you both have to either US Citizen or Permanent Residents.before you enter the US.. so if one of you is immigrating then you will not qualify.

Kez

But cannot the USC claim it solely on their own behalf if they are over 55, retiring and going to collect a pension.

I don't really know for sure which is why I said if I've read it correctly, but it is my understanding that most of the things you can claim for are deducted from taxable income not the tax you would have paid.

If you are over 55 and married would you not be filing Jointly.... there would be no benefit to filing married filing separately..

Kez

I was thinking with about £4500 of moving expenses if it was claimable one way it might well be advantageous to claim that way for one year only.

As the container didn't get delivered to January this year I'll mention it to the tax account when he does our return for this year see what he suggests.

Well that knocked the wind out of my sails a bit, but hope it works out for you Lansbury.

My reading of it was based on the fact that absolutley no where does it say that work has to be the primary reason, only closely related. But I'll accept the advice of those better placed to know how the IRS likes to interpret it. Don't want to look like I'm trying to cheat my taxes the minute I arrive!

No harm in calling and asking them 1-800-829-1040

Poiteen - is your USC husband not currently in the UK? If so, he would be able to claim moving expenses, provided he works full time for 39 weeks within the 12 months following the move.

Since (I assume) you will be shipping all your things together, he could deduct that cost, as well as his own air fare. I'm not sure if he can claim yours or not.

Yup, he's here, and will be looking to work full time when we get stateside.

I think I'm going to keep all the reciepts and info, and maybe give them a call when the time comes to file the return. I'm in the UK at the moment, so not going to worry about it too much now. But if anyone does call in the next while, I'd be interested to hear what the outcome is.