In the 1998 business bestseller, “Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life,” by Spencer Johnson, we learned important advice on how to handle change in our business and personal lives through a motivational business fable based on a mouse who freaks out when his cheese is moved from its usual location one day.
This fable reminds us all that transitions are difficult. When we have been driving the same way to work at the same time each morning and then arrive at the same office or cubicle, it can be a harrowing experience when that all changes. Such is the case for American expats.
Summer is a time of transitions for many in the business community. Those becoming expatriates this fall know that the summer is the most common time to make the move abroad. The kids will be leaving their school and friends, which can make for a traumatic experience. For adults, it’s not much easier as there are many important things to plan and think about. Heading overseas can be an exciting experience, but it certainly isn’t hassle-free. Whether you are married, have a family, or are single, there are a lot of important elements that go into preparing for a move abroad.
After accepting a new job overseas or a job transfer to a country outside the United States, it’s important to create a long “To Do List” with critical items like finding a place to live, forwarding mail, and finding a physician in your new country (here’s a full planning checklist). One often overlooked item on the “To Do List” is informing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that you are moving abroad.
It’s important to update your address information with the IRS so they can properly send your refund or any correspondence. You can update your address with the IRS by completing Form 8822, Change of Address at any time during the year. Failure to notify the IRS of an address change can be costly. For example, it can keep you from contesting a lien for unpaid taxes. At Expatriate Tax Returns, we understand that planning for the big move abroad is challenging and there are already so many things to think about. We can help you alleviate the stress by walking you through this journey hand-in-hand. We’ve helped thousands of U.S. expatriates successfully transition to their new country and we’ll help you too.
No matter where you are in the process of your preparation for becoming an expat, call on us for trusted, professional assistance. We’ll be with you every step of the way. Call us today at 877-382-9123 or fill out the form on our website: www.expatriatetaxreturns.com.
