Welcome to USTAXFS
As fiercely independent as when we were established over 35 years ago, and with offices in London, Zurich, Geneva, and the Nordics, we do US tax advice, compliance and planning better. By investing in specialist talent and empowering our professional staff, our teams of US and US/UK tax accountants and US attorneys provide a world-class service you can rely on. Delivering consistently high-quality, compliant filing and planning decisions, tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Private Client & Individual
US and UK Tax Services
By law all US persons must file annual income tax returns and required informational returns, to report worldwide income, capital gains and non-US assets, no matter where they live. This can be complicated and daunting, therefore, our Private Client Group has in-depth experience and current knowledge in all aspects of US tax, including tax return preparation, compliance and planning. Find Out More
As cross-border financial planning and international tax issues are complicated, our Private Client Group includes highly qualified experts in both US and UK tax advisory and compliance for US-connected individuals, including the complex specialism of US/UK cross-border tax planning. We are also members of the GGI Global network with professional tax and legal advisors in 126 countries around the world to support complex multi-jurisdictional cases. Find Out More
Our dedicated local teams based in Zurich and Geneva specialize in all aspects of US tax advisory and compliance services. Expats ourselves, living and working in Switzerland, we speak multiple languages and have a deep understanding of local documents, regulations and cantonal systems, as well as how to navigate international tax. Find Out More
Many American citizens who have lived outside the United States for a number of years find it increasingly difficult to reconcile paying and reporting taxes on worldwide income to the US. For personal or financial reasons, an individual may decide to renounce their US citizenship. Under certain circumstances, the US may then impose an expatriate tax or “US Exit Tax” at the time of expatriation. Find Out More
Trusts, Estates & Family Offices
US-Connected Tax Services
There are many benefits of using a trust, including asset protection and management, generational planning and for income tax and estate tax purposes. However, the US tax treatment of trusts can be complex, so our dedicated US Trust division offers up-to-the-minute advice and ensures you avoid the substantial compliance issues that affect US taxes on foreign income. Find Out More
US taxpayers often participate in foreign pension plans as these can be useful, tax preferred, investment tools in the jurisdiction where they are a tax resident, but are treated differently in other jurisdictions. Complexities also arise when reporting to the IRS, given the substantial penalties for non-compliance. But we can help you, whether you are a US individual or a pension provider. Find Out More
Transfers during life or at death will have a US Estate and Gift Tax impact. We review your income and estate plan completely for US tax implications and assist in the development of a lifetime gifting program, or appropriate estate structure, to minimize the impact for when the inevitable happens. We also prepare Gift Tax returns and Estate Tax returns for both citizens and non-US residents. Find Out More
Losing someone is never easy without the complication of managing one’s estate. We can work with your advisors and help navigate the process during this difficult time to ensure the complexities of the estate and its US tax compliance are in order. Find Out More
Funds & Partnerships
US-Connected Tax Services
Investment Funds with US investors and/or US investments have extensive US reporting requirements. To navigate the extremely complex US tax system, our dedicated team of highly experienced, fund-focused US tax professionals offer customized services for every stage of a fund’s lifecycle. This includes structuring, advice on including US investors, US tax compliance and support for a clean exit. We specialise in K-1, K-2 and K-3 reporting for investors, CFCs (Controlled Foreign Corporation), along with PFIC (Passive Foreign Investment Corporation) testing. Find Out More
Partnerships, both domestic and foreign, have distinct tax treatment compared to corporations. They submit annual information returns but do not pay income tax themselves. Instead, they distribute profits or losses to partners (individuals, corporations, trusts) using K-1 forms. Limited Partnerships, common in Private Equity and Venture Capital, fall under this category. Foreign partnerships with US operations typically file US partnership income returns, and non-US partners may need to file US non-resident income tax returns (individuals) or a US Income Tax Return of a Foreign Corporation (corporations). Non-US partnerships with US partners may face complex US reporting requirements even without US operations. Find Out More
Entities that are either a US-based or foreign partnership are required to designate a Partnership Representative to serve as the direct contact with the IRS for all taxable years. We are well placed to be a trusted and knowledgeable Partnership Representative to limited partners, general partners and limited liability companies. Find Out More
Corporations, US Expansion & FATCA
Corporations have different tax treatment from other business entities such as Partnerships. As an integrated firm of cross-border tax lawyers and accountants, we work with many types of corporate entities where there are US connections and are an attractive alternative to the Big Four in terms of fees, experience and proven history of working in multiple jurisdictions. We support corporations in an advisory capacity and through our suite of US compliance services. Find Out More
The US remains a focal market for companies looking to expand and scale their business, particularly with US-based investment, but the regulations and set-up can be daunting. Our specialist US Expansion team advises businesses on how to set up in the US, including on a Federal and State level. We have established relationships within US immigration firms, commercial law, fund raising, sales tax and various government agencies including SelectUSA (a commercial arm of the US government) and the UK Department for Business and Trade. Find Out More
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is a US federal law that is intended to target US Persons who may be concealing assets held in foreign accounts. When the relevant financial institutions identify their US customers in accordance with FATCA, they must report them to the IRS. If a taxpayer’s US tax returns or information reports have not been filed, or incorrectly filed, the US taxpayer could be subject to civil penalties and possible criminal charges, and the bank may be fined. We can help you bring your filing up to date and compliant. Find Out More
Featured Specialists
Tax Director & US Attorney
London
Andrew Aldridge has over 40 years of domestic and international tax experience. Prior to joining USTAXFS, he served as Manager of the Tax Department of Commercial Financial Services, Inc., a major debt resolution company in the US, where he was responsible for the worldwide tax affairs of the company.
Andrew also worked for over 18 years with Phillips Petroleum Company, a Fortune 50 energy company where he served in both the tax and legal departments. During this time, he spent over five years in the UK as Tax Counsel for Phillips, focusing primarily on international financing issues.
Andrew’s current focus is on the US and international tax aspects associated with non-US trusts and their US beneficiaries; specifically planning to meet the complex US income tax compliance and informational reporting associated with such trusts.
As the US tax system has become more and more complex, Andrew also assists those US taxpayers who wish to give up their US citizenship while minimizing the impact of the confiscatory Exit Tax now imposed on expatriation.
Andrew holds an LL.M. from Southern Methodist University, a J.D. from the University of Oklahoma and a B.A. from the University of Kansas. He is a licensed attorney in the state of Oklahoma.
International Corporate Tax Director
London
A lawyer with 25 years’ US domestic and international tax experience, Brad advises on corporate structures, private investors, venture capital, and private equity funds. He has Big 4 experience in both the US and Europe (Arthur Andersen, PwC and Deloitte) working with large multinational companies as well as fast-growth companies on US corporate and international tax topics, from both inbound and outbound perspectives. While working at PwC in Silicon Valley, he assisted in the due-diligence processes and structuring of acquisitions for clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, as well as large venture capital firms.
Brad’s time is spent managing the Corporate division, which has a particular focus on funds, both US investors into foreign funds, and foreign funds who invest in the US.
Another focus of Brad’s expertise is in US Expansion. He advises start-ups and early-stage tech companies on the tax issues of doing business with US customers, structuring for US investors and having a presence in the US.
He speaks regularly at conferences on both these topics to industry professionals and businesses with potential US tax obligations.
Brad has a J.D. from The George Washington University and a B.S. in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a licensed attorney in the state of Illinois.
Insights
For our full library of articles click here
UK Spring Budget 2024
Harry Swift | March 06, 2024
The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his Spring Budget today to a rowdy House of Commons that had to
Your Guide to Foreign Trusts
Tas Meghani | March 04, 2024
This article aims to serve as your comprehensive guide to understanding the nuances of foreign trusts. Whether you’re a trustee, grantor,
Streamlined Voluntary Disclosure Explained
David M. Daley | February 07, 2024
The IRS offers a Streamlined Voluntary Disclosure program for taxpayers who can certify that their failure to file all information,
Top 12 Tips About FATCA
James Debate | February 07, 2024
For Americans (US Persons) living abroad or investing offshore, the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires Foreign Financial Institutions
US Estate Tax Guide for Non-Residents
Gregory Dean | January 31, 2024
The United States imposes an estate or succession tax on the transfer of specific US situs assets owned by a
US Tax Changes for 2023 Season – Individual, Estate & Gift Taxes
Ashish Jain | January 29, 2024
The annual tax filing season commences today and we are delighted to summarize some important changes to 2023 tax year
Join us for our events
For our full list of events, past and present, click here
US Presidential Election Webinar
April 23, 2024
Join us for a US Presidential webinar, April 23, hosted by the Scottish North American Business Council (SNABC)....Doing Business in the USA Masterclass
May 23, 2024
We are delighted to be participating in tthe Scottish North American Business Council’s (SNABC) Doing Business in the...