Moving to the U.S., need some advice

[2527]

I have a friend whose dream was to finish his 20 years in the United States Air Force, retire, and then move to England.  He had been stationed there for a while and he really liked it.  He hit 20 years, sold everything in the US and moved to England.  I saw him a few years later and he was honest with me and said it was a big mistake.  Things just weren't as good as he imagined them to be, and he wished he had just put all his stuff in storage in the US. 

You have a really good things in Europe: income, jobs, vacation time, health care, presumably friends, etc.  Can you come here for 3 or 6 months without burning any bridges, and check things out and then make a decision?

[KirstyB]

As a brit that has moved to the USA twice with work, you can definitely purchase and register a motorbike / car with a state before you have a lease - you may need to use an alternative address though - is there anyone you know already in the state you want to purchase in (we've always used the office address to start with).

You'll need to get a social sercurity card when you arrive - this is needed for filing taxes (also your tax ID number).

Last thing that struck us as strange (coming from Europe) was the necessity to have public liability insurance when you rent or own a home - to cover yourself in case someone falls and hurts themselves for example.

[Goldielocks]

After months and months of waiting our visa interview has finally been scheduled (eight months from the day we finished the application to the day we received notice that an interview had been scheduled). We're still scared and not 100% certain it's the right thing to do but are still leaning heavily towards "you only live once". Also, there are tons of questions I already have since we're very familiar with the way certain things are done in Germany yet completely oblivious to what we'll have to be paying attention to in the US.

For example:

* When buying a motorcycle/car, what do I have to do to obtain a license plate & insurance?
* What proof of ownership do I need when purchasing a motorcycle / car?
* What exactly do I need to pay attention to when renting an appartment / house? Any particular hidden fees, forms, etc.?
* I'm subject to taxation / income tax in the US from the day I receive my green card yet I have no idea how to file a tax return.

To be honest it's all a bit overwhelming but exciting at the same time. So many new things to learn and so little time...

Quite a few of your questions depend on the state you are moving to.

Motorcycle registration and license is generally straightforward steps if you are not importing into the usa. Depending on region you might need a vehicle inspection (apt at dmv) and pay for registration. May need to show proof of minimum insurance, but maybe not if you bring it on a trailer and not riding it yet.
License takes a written learners then a skills driving test which is actually pretty challenging. You may also need a basic road test as part of the getting a license in usa --such as everyone takes when they first apply for a drivers license for cars or bikes. Some states require your visa and proof of valid residency, passport, and fingerprints. Maybe a second Id. This is all from memory, but dmv posts it easy to find. Just be prepared for a bit of a line at DMV and Social security offices for anything. ( soc.sec handle visa related paperwork such as assigning your soc sec number when you arrive, for taxes and such)

I found the motorcycle test a bit challenging and never took it, partly because of the turnng radius of my bike. But the fast stop without foot down can be hard too.

As for taxes, get someone to do them for you first year, then copy what they did.  Ask if there are diffences for a full versus part time year in USA and what they are. You actually have three separate tax forms to prepare: federal, state, and AMT to file, and get to decide things like married filing jointly and whether to itemize, etc.
you will also need to file declarations of foreign property and money saved out of country, but not at same tax time.   It is a bit much your first time, so get a bit of help.

[2lazy2retire]

After months and months of waiting our visa interview has finally been scheduled (eight months from the day we finished the application to the day we received notice that an interview had been scheduled). We're still scared and not 100% certain it's the right thing to do but are still leaning heavily towards "you only live once". Also, there are tons of questions I already have since we're very familiar with the way certain things are done in Germany yet completely oblivious to what we'll have to be paying attention to in the US.

For example:

* When buying a motorcycle/car, what do I have to do to obtain a license plate & insurance?
* What proof of ownership do I need when purchasing a motorcycle / car?
* What exactly do I need to pay attention to when renting an appartment / house? Any particular hidden fees, forms, etc.?
* I'm subject to taxation / income tax in the US from the day I receive my green card yet I have no idea how to file a tax return.

To be honest it's all a bit overwhelming but exciting at the same time. So many new things to learn and so little time...

Quite a few of your questions depend on the state you are moving to.

Motorcycle registration and license is generally straightforward steps if you are not importing into the usa. Depending on region you might need a vehicle inspection (apt at dmv) and pay for registration. May need to show proof of minimum insurance, but maybe not if you bring it on a trailer and not riding it yet.
License takes a written learners then a skills driving test which is actually pretty challenging. You may also need a basic road test as part of the getting a license in usa --such as everyone takes when they first apply for a drivers license for cars or bikes. Some states require your visa and proof of valid residency, passport, and fingerprints. Maybe a second Id. This is all from memory, but dmv posts it easy to find. Just be prepared for a bit of a line at DMV and Social security offices for anything. ( soc.sec handle visa related paperwork such as assigning your soc sec number when you arrive, for taxes and such)

I found the motorcycle test a bit challenging and never took it, partly because of the turnng radius of my bike. But the fast stop without foot down can be hard too.

As for taxes, get someone to do them for you first year, then copy what they did.  Ask if there are diffences for a full versus part time year in USA and what they are. You actually have three separate tax forms to prepare: federal, state, and AMT to file, and get to decide things like married filing jointly and whether to itemize, etc.
you will also need to file declarations of foreign property and money saved out of country, but not at same tax time.   It is a bit much your first time, so get a bit of help.

To stress what I said earlier professional advice might be money well spent - this quote for example is misleading " file declarations of foreign property and money saved out of country, but not at same tax time". Firstly you do not need to declare foreign property unless it is income earning in which case it is treated as any other rental property ( with the exception that depreciation is at a different rate) as for savings depending on the amount FATCA may be required which IS filed along with your tax return
And when it comes to overseas stuff do not bother calling the IRS helpline - likely they will not have a clue. As for the Social Security Number you will be asked for this by every one you speak to if you need anything - electricity, gas ,cable, phone service etc, expect the long pause on the other end of the line when they ask for your SSN and you say you d'ont have one.

[theonethatgotaway]

Definitely, without a doubt, consult with an attorney/tax advisor/ financial advisor about your investments in Germany and how they will be affected once in the US.

[Goldielocks]

After months and months of waiting our visa interview has finally been scheduled (eight months from the day we finished the application to the day we received notice that an interview had been scheduled). We're still scared and not 100% certain it's the right thing to do but are still leaning heavily towards "you only live once". Also, there are tons of questions I already have since we're very familiar with the way certain things are done in Germany yet completely oblivious to what we'll have to be paying attention to in the US.

For example:

* When buying a motorcycle/car, what do I have to do to obtain a license plate & insurance?
* What proof of ownership do I need when purchasing a motorcycle / car?
* What exactly do I need to pay attention to when renting an appartment / house? Any particular hidden fees, forms, etc.?
* I'm subject to taxation / income tax in the US from the day I receive my green card yet I have no idea how to file a tax return.

To be honest it's all a bit overwhelming but exciting at the same time. So many new things to learn and so little time...

Quite a few of your questions depend on the state you are moving to.

Motorcycle registration and license is generally straightforward steps if you are not importing into the usa. Depending on region you might need a vehicle inspection (apt at dmv) and pay for registration. May need to show proof of minimum insurance, but maybe not if you bring it on a trailer and not riding it yet.
License takes a written learners then a skills driving test which is actually pretty challenging. You may also need a basic road test as part of the getting a license in usa --such as everyone takes when they first apply for a drivers license for cars or bikes. Some states require your visa and proof of valid residency, passport, and fingerprints. Maybe a second Id. This is all from memory, but dmv posts it easy to find. Just be prepared for a bit of a line at DMV and Social security offices for anything. ( soc.sec handle visa related paperwork such as assigning your soc sec number when you arrive, for taxes and such)

I found the motorcycle test a bit challenging and never took it, partly because of the turnng radius of my bike. But the fast stop without foot down can be hard too.

As for taxes, get someone to do them for you first year, then copy what they did.  Ask if there are diffences for a full versus part time year in USA and what they are. You actually have three separate tax forms to prepare: federal, state, and AMT to file, and get to decide things like married filing jointly and whether to itemize, etc.
you will also need to file declarations of foreign property and money saved out of country, but not at same tax time.   It is a bit much your first time, so get a bit of help.

To stress what I said earlier professional advice might be money well spent - this quote for example is misleading " file declarations of foreign property and money saved out of country, but not at same tax time". Firstly you do not need to declare foreign property unless it is income earning in which case it is treated as any other rental property ( with the exception that depreciation is at a different rate) as for savings depending on the amount FATCA may be required which IS filed along with your tax return
And when it comes to overseas stuff do not bother calling the IRS helpline - likely they will not have a clue. As for the Social Security Number you will be asked for this by every one you speak to if you need anything - electricity, gas ,cable, phone service etc, expect the long pause on the other end of the line when they ask for your SSN and you say you d'ont have one.

Ok, the heart of my post about taxes was: "It is complex, especially for a new immigrant in the first year.  Go pay someone to do it, ask questions, and use it as a baseline for your second year."   then I used general examples of the tax complexity -- not intended to be advise or directions.   

Further, what you declare on your foreign property  / investments  / holding form is up to you and your professional advisor, but even if you declare $0, you are still often required to submit for some strange reason.   And yes, back in the day, (5+ years) it was not part of the typical tax form return filing, but had a different submittal date (june if I recall correctly) and requested all foriegn assets.  They seem to have simiplified it recently and merging it with the tax returns.   But I assert that this is just one more example of why a tax professional who understands german / us filing is needed.   Randomly appearing submittal requirements appear and change all the time, and most of us are just looking on the internet for the april tax season submittal process, and miss these.

[2lazy2retire]

After months and months of waiting our visa interview has finally been scheduled (eight months from the day we finished the application to the day we received notice that an interview had been scheduled). We're still scared and not 100% certain it's the right thing to do but are still leaning heavily towards "you only live once". Also, there are tons of questions I already have since we're very familiar with the way certain things are done in Germany yet completely oblivious to what we'll have to be paying attention to in the US.

For example:

* When buying a motorcycle/car, what do I have to do to obtain a license plate & insurance?
* What proof of ownership do I need when purchasing a motorcycle / car?
* What exactly do I need to pay attention to when renting an appartment / house? Any particular hidden fees, forms, etc.?
* I'm subject to taxation / income tax in the US from the day I receive my green card yet I have no idea how to file a tax return.

To be honest it's all a bit overwhelming but exciting at the same time. So many new things to learn and so little time...

Quite a few of your questions depend on the state you are moving to.

Motorcycle registration and license is generally straightforward steps if you are not importing into the usa. Depending on region you might need a vehicle inspection (apt at dmv) and pay for registration. May need to show proof of minimum insurance, but maybe not if you bring it on a trailer and not riding it yet.
License takes a written learners then a skills driving test which is actually pretty challenging. You may also need a basic road test as part of the getting a license in usa --such as everyone takes when they first apply for a drivers license for cars or bikes. Some states require your visa and proof of valid residency, passport, and fingerprints. Maybe a second Id. This is all from memory, but dmv posts it easy to find. Just be prepared for a bit of a line at DMV and Social security offices for anything. ( soc.sec handle visa related paperwork such as assigning your soc sec number when you arrive, for taxes and such)

I found the motorcycle test a bit challenging and never took it, partly because of the turnng radius of my bike. But the fast stop without foot down can be hard too.

As for taxes, get someone to do them for you first year, then copy what they did.  Ask if there are diffences for a full versus part time year in USA and what they are. You actually have three separate tax forms to prepare: federal, state, and AMT to file, and get to decide things like married filing jointly and whether to itemize, etc.
you will also need to file declarations of foreign property and money saved out of country, but not at same tax time.   It is a bit much your first time, so get a bit of help.

To stress what I said earlier professional advice might be money well spent - this quote for example is misleading " file declarations of foreign property and money saved out of country, but not at same tax time". Firstly you do not need to declare foreign property unless it is income earning in which case it is treated as any other rental property ( with the exception that depreciation is at a different rate) as for savings depending on the amount FATCA may be required which IS filed along with your tax return
And when it comes to overseas stuff do not bother calling the IRS helpline - likely they will not have a clue. As for the Social Security Number you will be asked for this by every one you speak to if you need anything - electricity, gas ,cable, phone service etc, expect the long pause on the other end of the line when they ask for your SSN and you say you d'ont have one.

Ok, the heart of my post about taxes was: "It is complex, especially for a new immigrant in the first year.  Go pay someone to do it, ask questions, and use it as a baseline for your second year."   then I used general examples of the tax complexity -- not intended to be advise or directions.   

Further, what you declare on your foreign property  / investments  / holding form is up to you and your professional advisor, but even if you declare $0, you are still often required to submit for some strange reason.   And yes, back in the day, (5+ years) it was not part of the typical tax form return filing, but had a different submittal date (june if I recall correctly) and requested all foriegn assets.  They seem to have simiplified it recently and merging it with the tax returns.   But I assert that this is just one more example of why a tax professional who understands german / us filing is needed.   Randomly appearing submittal requirements appear and change all the time, and most of us are just looking on the internet for the april tax season submittal process, and miss these.

You advice to get professional help is indeed sound but the remainder of your post again is very misleading  - just to clarify for anyone who may be reading, there has been no simplification, the original filing - in by the end of June is for PFIC ( goes to the Treasury btw not the IRS) is STILL required. The more recent FATCA form is in addition to PFIC and gets filed with your tax return. What is required to be reported varies slightly on each form. Also there are clearly defined account limits below which reporting is not required - again these limits differ between FATCA and PFIC