72. Removing Tax Season Stress: The Hidden Risks of DIY Cross-Border Taxes
Thu Feb 05 2026
For expats, financial mistakes are not usually the result of bad decisions; they stem from incomplete information in an incredibly complex system. Different professionals can interpret the same treaty differently, and multiple defensible positions can coexist. In cross-border taxation, especially when tax treaties are involved, ambiguity is the norm.
In this episode of Expat Wealth, Richard Taylor – dual UK/US citizen and Chartered Financial Planner – is joined by James Boyle – Lead Financial Planner at Plan First Wealth. They explore real-world examples of how even well-informed expats can misinterpret reporting requirements, sometimes resulting in costly mistakes, especially as retirement approaches. Richard and James also address listener questions on Pension Commencement Lump Sums (PCLS) and provide insights into Federal Reserve rates and the US financial markets.
Richard and James discuss:
Pension Commencement Lump Sum confusion: Why tax professionals may give different answers on whether the UK 25% pension commencement lump sum is taxable in the US.
DIY cross-border taxes: Why handling the US system alone can be risky, given its complexity and the severe penalties for mistakes.
The danger of "scaremongering": How US offshore reporting penalties can compound through penalty stacking, and how working with cross-border tax professionals can help avoid costly mistakes.
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Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management.
https://planfirstwealth.com/
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Expat Wealth is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth.
Information presented is for educational purposes only
and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.
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For expats, financial mistakes are not usually the result of bad decisions; they stem from incomplete information in an incredibly complex system. Different professionals can interpret the same treaty differently, and multiple defensible positions can coexist. In cross-border taxation, especially when tax treaties are involved, ambiguity is the norm. In this episode of Expat Wealth, Richard Taylor – dual UK/US citizen and Chartered Financial Planner – is joined by James Boyle – Lead Financial Planner at Plan First Wealth. They explore real-world examples of how even well-informed expats can misinterpret reporting requirements, sometimes resulting in costly mistakes, especially as retirement approaches. Richard and James also address listener questions on Pension Commencement Lump Sums (PCLS) and provide insights into Federal Reserve rates and the US financial markets. Richard and James discuss: Pension Commencement Lump Sum confusion: Why tax professionals may give different answers on whether the UK 25% pension commencement lump sum is taxable in the US. DIY cross-border taxes: Why handling the US system alone can be risky, given its complexity and the severe penalties for mistakes. The danger of "scaremongering": How US offshore reporting penalties can compound through penalty stacking, and how working with cross-border tax professionals can help avoid costly mistakes. -- Expat Wealth is supported by Plan First Wealth. Plan First Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor serving fellow expatriates and immigrants living across the US on matters such as retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and non-US asset management. https://planfirstwealth.com/ -- Expat Wealth is affiliated with Plan First Wealth LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Plan First Wealth. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Plan First Wealth does not provide any tax and/or legal advice and strongly recommends that listeners seek their own advice in these areas.