How do I learn about healthcare, taxes, etc?

27 comments

1. You’ll get health insurance from your job or your spouse’s job. Sign up for one of the plans they offer and use the card they give you when you go to the doctor. Your insurance will almost certainly have some sort of hotline you can call if you have more complicated questions like finding a psychiatrist in your area or whether you need a referral to see an ankle specialist.

   Each January you’ll get some forms from your employer, bank, etc. Go to TurboTax.com and follow the simple instructions to enter that information and find out how much refund you get or if you owe more. Or pay a fairly nominal fee to an accountant to do it for you.

   Honestly it’s quite simple and you’ve just built it up in your mind as difficult because it’s different.

2. Once you have secured employment, the human resources department at the business/firm/etc. will assist you with getting your healthcare in order. It is not difficult. You may have a few options on levels of care, but also just as likely not.

   Taxes are not the mystical black magic people make them out to be. You literally just fill in blanks on a form and then send them in (most likely electronically). There are numerous options (including free ones) for software to assist you. Or, if yours are particularly complicated (self-employment/multiple income streams, high levels of charitable giving, complicated cash account investing, etc.) you can hire a CPA for a couple hundred bucks and they’ll take care of it for you.

3. Most cities and mid-size towns have some sort of social service agency that helps foreigners get comfortable. In my city it’s part of the vocational school for some reason. They will mostly offer English as a Second Language classes, but they also have seminars and courses on stuff like bills, insurance, etc. I’d recommend trying to locate something like that near you.

4. Hi there, I used to help Europeans get settled in the US professionally, Brits made up a good share of my client base. Feel free to reach out with any specific questions, general advice is as follows.

   * Follow the advice and examples of locals, they’ve lived here a while and know what they’re doing. If you have questions, feel free to ask, Americans pride themselves on being helpful and friendly

   * Get involved in hobbies, sports, etc. Americans like staying busy and its a great way to meet friends

   * Life here is not like movies and TV, forget everything you’ve learned from that and come with an open mind, if you expect it to be like movies and TV, you’re going to have a bad time.

   * Likewise, remember you’re an outsider looking in, there’s going to be things you don’t understand at first, and that’s ok

   * Research the city and state you’ll be going to, they differ immensely and may not be what you’re expecting. For instance, I’m from New England, which is nothing like the “typical” impression left by California or New York. Even LA and NYC are hugely diverse and your experiences may not reflect your expectations.

   * Research the weather, much of the US is much colder than people expect with huge swings in temperature and weather conditions. Your new home probably gets a lot colder than you’re used to, expect snow and cold temps for a solid portion of the year.

   * Travel when you get the chance, the US is huge and naturally diverse, there will be plenty to see.

   * If there’s something you want to do or try, just ask, your colleagues will probably be eager to share life and culture with you

   * Keep an open mind, the US is a big and complex place, try and discover something new

   * Go to a diner

   Some particular advice for Brits:

   * We’re way more alike than you might think, British students would often alienate themselves by assuming Americans were totally alien in our thoughts and behavior and overcompensating for differences that weren’t there.

   * Don’t play up the accent too much, it gets old

   * Being out of control or belligerently drunk is not as socially acceptable here, follow the example of others

   * We know our reputation abroad, reminding your colleagues of British perceptions of the US likewise gets old. Nobody wants to be reminded how you feel about gun laws and Trump.

   * Don’t go to TGI Fridays or Applebee’s if you want authentic American food, ask your neighbors and colleagues about good local spaces

5. Personal finance books. Ask a librarian when you get here or see if r/personalfinance has a reading list in their subreddit sidebar

6. Pretty certain I’ve read about Brits filing taxes on the UK subs.

   Honestly unless your financial situation is complicated, most people can use the simplest form out there. If you go to [IRS.gov](https://IRS.gov) or your state’s tax revenue department website, you’ll find links to services that do free filing depending on income requirements.

   The one bad thing is that these services often change every year.

   TurboTax is the biggest name but is also pretty notorious for sneaking in charges and fees, often when filing for state-level returns.

   The IRS also offers filliable forms online, and paper forms are often available at your local post office, your local library, and other government buildings.

7. **Healthcare:**

   You’ll get health insurance through your job, or through your spouses job. During the new-hire process they’ll let you (or your spouse, whichever one is working) pick out an insurance plan, choose one. You may also sign up for dental and vision insurance. The cost of the insurance will be deducted from the salary. They’ll give you a little card that goes into your wallet that has your insurance information. Present that card when you go to a doctor’s appointment. They should have a helpline if you need more specific information. Most insurances also have a website you can use that can answer most questions.

   **Taxes:**

   You will receive some forms in the mail from your employer shortly after the first of the year every year. You need to file your personal income taxes before April 15th each year. You can pay a tax preparation service to fill out the forms for you, have an accountant do it for you, or you can go online and go to one of several sites that will let you do it online (it’s free for a basic tax return, more complicated returns may have a charge), sites like [https://www.hrblock.com/](https://www.hrblock.com/) or [https://turbotax.intuit.com/](https://turbotax.intuit.com/). Of course, you could just fill out the forms yourself, but I wouldn’t recommend that to someone new to this country.

8. > Do you guys get taught how to do these things in school or something?

   No. It’s a cultural osmosis thing.

   Your employer will have health care plan information, read it and ask a million questions.

   Taxes aren’t hard. The IRS even provides [Ebooks](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/ebook) and[ tutorials.](https://apps.irs.gov/app/understandingTaxes/student/index.jsp). I filed my first income taxes in 1992 using a paper form I got at the library and filling everything out manually, which you can still do.

9. Healthcare is the best in the world, but also the most expensive.

   You get taxed for everything.

   Don’t be mean to people. Everyone has a gun.

10. Hire an accountant to help you get to grips with taxes the first year. Healthcare is really bewildering when you first get to grips with it. I’d go through that with your partner/inlaws/HR rep/anyone to try and work out what’s best for you.

11. Google

12. >Do you guys get taught how to do these things in school or something?

    No. If we did then the tax-prep industry (kept in place by lobbyists and billions of dollars annually despite the existence of free-to-file programs in place by law) would collapse and They can’t allow that.

    >The quote about the US and the UK being ‘two nations divided by a common languge’ should’ve been ‘two nations divided by a common language AND differences in taxes and healthcare’ 😀

    It’s still a difference in language. Our conservative politicians forget words such as “compassion” as soon as they get into office, while yours still understand that we’re all in this together.

13. Youtube to get a general idea and visit your state’s government website to learn how taxes work.

    I also assume you will be on your wife’s insurance plan so it’s better to ask her how it works at her company.

14. You definitely want to collaborate with your spouse on both of those things.

    The health insurance your job offers may be better or worse than your wife’s. The coverage varies widely. Some insurance includes dental and vision and some plans don’t. Also the cost and how much of that cost your employer covers ranges from your employer covering 100% to covering 0% of the premiums. Usually it’s somewhere in-between. So you’ll need to compare what coverage your wife has to what you’re offered and see what works best for your family from a cost and coverage perspective.

    As for taxes, most married couples file jointly but not all. You may want to consult a tax professional if you think filing separately reduces your tax burden. Some tax software may allow you to compare the two scenarios.

15. Healthcare is really gonna depend on the employer and who you elect to get it through. You, your wife or both. A lot there to consider. That state will also make a huge difference with what is covered as well since some states are pushing to go after insurers now for covering certain procedures.

    Taxes are usually pretty straight forward unless you have a ton of investments, especially ones foreign to the US. If the only income you have is through your employer it’s actually not that bad at all. Just make sure you find a way to file for free. TurboTax makes it easy but they are also a little scumming in that they don’t tell you you can file for free, and there are free alternatives.

16. Your company’s HR should be able to assist you with navigating your options as far as health insurance. It can be complicated to understand, but being familiar with basic terms like “co-pay,” “max out-of-pocket,” “in-network,” “deductible,” and “health savings accounts” are where I’d start. I’d try to find a YouTube video that does a health insurance 101 course.

    Couples typically file their taxes together, so this should be something you do with your wife.

    And no, our schools don’t teach these things. Since I had a job in high school, I learned the basics of filing my taxes then with help from my parents. Health insurance isn’t something you really learn about until your first job, but a good HR rep can help walk you through the process.

17. Taxes aren’t too complicated if you’re just a wage earner. It gets more complex if you have business or investment income. It’s easy enough to do yourself with TurboTax or similar software or pay a CPA a reasonable fee to get it done professionally. Healthcare is primarily employment based. If you or your spouse have job with good healthcare benefits, then it’s not really a concern. Just read up on what your policy covers. If you don’t have employment based healthcare, it can get very expensive though.

18. If you and your spouse just work for normal employers in the same state where you live and you don’t have more exotic sources of income beyond normal interest and capital gains, taxes are pretty simple. You basically get certain amount of money withheld from each paycheck that your employer remits to the government(s) who charge income tax where you live. You then get a statement called a W-2 from your employer that shows how much tax they paid on your behalf. You then “do” your taxes, which for most people, is relatively straightforward, and you submit this to the IRS. You then either get paid a refund if more money was withheld than you owe (most people with normal jobs get this), or you owe a balance if you under withheld, plus a little bit of interest. One important thing is when you start a job, you get a form called a W-4 that allows you to claim “exemptions” for things that may reduce your tax burden, like having a big mortgage, kids, etc. You can put whatever you want, but the more exemptions, the less the employer will withhold in advance.

    If you are not going to be a resident alien or eventually immigrate (i.e. you are staying temporarily) or if you have residual income/investments in the UK, it would probably be worth talking to a tax professional your first year, because then it gets quite complicated.

19. One thing that would really help you get better answers here is if you share if you and your spouse will be working for a normal employer or doing something else. Both healthcare and taxes can get a lot more complicated if one or both of you are going to be e.g. running your own business or working as freelancers.

20. One thing that most Americans won’t even know about to help you with regarding taxes is the tax treaty with the UK. If you are young and don’t have much in terms of assets in the UK, it should be pretty easy. But if you have a house, retirement accounts, stock, etc. in the UK, it’s way more complicated. My husband had to pay a company that specifically deals with UK expats. And even though I’ve done my own US taxes for decades, we may need to hire someone to explain what to do about UK assets/income.

    Also, if you’ve only ever had an NHS dentist, you’ll find it’s wildly different in the US.

21. For healthcare I would just read the plan documents your insurance company provides so you know the monetary and coverage limits.

    My employer takes money out of each paycheck and sends it the IRS. At the end of the year I get 5-6 forms from various companies regarding my bank interest, mortgage, stocks, work, and college. I use these form to do my taxes.

    I use a free online software. All I have to do is follow the online directions: enter Form A box 1 value on Form X line 2, etc. Then it fills out all the forms for you and does any calculations.

    The software reconciles the amount my employer took out of each paycheck and how much I should actually have paid. If my employer paid too much, then I get a refund. If they didn’t take out enough then I pay the IRS. I usually get $50-100 back. Sometimes I pay a similar amount. They’ll deposit/take the money out of your bank account.

    It takes me 15 minutes every year to fill out the online forms and submit it. Max I would say is an hour if you work for an employer.

    I use the IRS Free File if you qualify based on your income (https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free). I’ve tried FreeTaxUSA, OLT, TaxSlayer, and 1040Now. They’re all similar. Just make sure they accept all of your forms, otherwise you’ll have to pay money or reenter your information in a different program.

    If you don’t qualify for the free file software, just use it anyway to check your work. I double check when I’m not sure where to enter something. You can get through to the last page where it shows you a summary pdf, but you don’t have to submit it. You can use the free fillable forms to actually submit your 1040.

22. Dual US/UK citizen here… I know tons of UK transplants here and you’ll do great. Yes, the two worlds are very different but the people get along just fine together and it makes me so happy seeing my two worlds coming together, so welcome! Just use common sense and be a decent person and you’ll thrive! Americans are far more welcoming and friendly than most and I think you’ll love it here.

    Don’t come to the US and constantly try to one up Americans… there’s A LOT Americans do better than the rest of the world but they don’t rub it in others faces as foreigners do about our healthcare, guns, military, etc. Please remember the people are not the government and we’re trying everyday to make this country better but we’re fighting against a beast of a system most know actually nothing about. Treat us as humans.

    You can use a tax software for your taxes, I use Turbo Tax. You will get proper documents from your workplace, healthcare provider, banks etc. and the software system will walk you step-by-step on how to file your state and federal return. You can also have somebody just do it for you for a small fee, they can take this fee out of your return if you’d like. I would check out the IRS.gov to learn about federal laws and check out your state and local governments to learn about those as well. I simply google every question I have and make sure I’m reading from a credible source. Yes, we learned some stuff in my school but the US doesn’t have federalized education (yay and also nay) so my experience could be different than others…. The best approach is to just always Google and read books or listen to podcasts to learn.

    Each state has a healthcare market place… your work should provide you options with a heavy discount but if not than please utilize the marketplace. It’s very simple they ask you some basic questions then give you options. But again, your work will likely have insurance and they will cover the details for you. Every company has a HR rep or department to assist with allllll questions.

    Don’t rely on just collecting social security alone for your retirement, assuming you’re staying long term. Open a 401k, IRA, and brokerage account if possible and invest your money, we have a great market for it!! 🙂 some accounts have tax advantages as well. These are the basic investing options, of course you can get into real estate as well.

    Learn to drive properly to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Depending on where you locate, our roads can be intimidating for foreigners.

    Please don’t get obnoxiously drunk in the wrong settings, it’s not as socially accepted here. Ex: no open container allowed in public (except Vegas, NoLa, and Savannah)

    Travel the US! US gets a lot of bed rep for not traveling out of country as much because it’s so expensive for us but the fact that nobody likes to talk about is how diverse the US is. Hawaii is so different than Alaska, than AZ vs FL, Montana vs NY etc and that is not common in other countries. All states and even cities within those states are so different and you’ll want to experience them to get the true American experience. Please don’t just visit major cities like LA, SF, NYC, Miami, Austin etc. Please also go to upstate NY, Charleston, Sedona, Flagstaff, Santa Barbara, etc. Michigan has beautiful beaches, not just California- for example… actually explore the US- you’ll find this country has some gems nobody outside really knows about and you’ll constantly be busy bc you can actually never run out of things to explore in the US. You could go to a state multiple times and still not see everything.

    Explore the National Parks!!!!!

    Go to Mexico all the time, it’s just what we do. Don’t forget Canada as well!

    If you’re interested, take the time to learn about how the local, state, and federal governments work.

    Please don’t come here and only eat fast food and then complain about the food system here. Our lack of food laws is disgusting, I agree… but don’t compare our worst to your best. We have an AMAZING food scene… LA, NYC, Chicago, Scottsdale, SF, NoLa, Charleston etc. have thriving food cultures that will make you appreciate how Americans have so many food options at once.

    Depending on where you live, be aware of wildlife!!!! Just research possible dangers and safety practices.

    Also depending on where you live and what activities you do, WEAR SUNSCREEN. I’m in LA and my UK and Canadian friends always looked like lobsters when they first got here. Learn to reapply.

    Don’t be mean or judgy to people you don’t agree with.
    We have a lot of people here and we all come from many different backgrounds and experiences that have shaped both the beauty and some disasters in this country.

    Enjoy our many theme parks!!!

    Good luck!!

23. Tax filing is simple for most of us. We have an enormous number of tax forms and even more rules for them, but most of them don’t apply to most people.

    I was taught about taxes in school as part of a broader economics class, though different schools vary in what they teach. Only simple tax situations were covered.

    Your taxes might be more complex than most, especially at first. You would need to understand the rules for determine when you would be considered a resident for tax purposes, and file a dual-status return if only a tax resident for part of the year. If you have any income from outside the US while a tax resident, that would need to be reported, and you might also need to report assets outside the US. For these reasons it would likely be helpful to use a competent professional tax preparer.

    If you haven’t moved here yet, there is one very useful thing you can do to prepare: sell any non-US investment funds (open ended investment companies, unit trusts, exchange traded funds, and the like) you have before you become a US tax resident. The US labels such a fund as a “passive foreign investment company” (PFIC) and subjects it to tax rules that you definitely won’t like.

24. [irs.gov](https://irs.gov) tells you how to file your taxes. You fill out a W-4 at start of employment to disclose your withholdings. At the start of the year, your employer sends your 1040 form and you enter the numbers from each field into whatever tax software you use (and the IRS has a list of ones that are free if you make less than $73,000, although your state return will cost you $15-$45 if use use them). If you’re going to be self-employed, you normally don’t have your taxes deducted from pay and there’s a 1099 form that you file to figure out how much you owe. You can visit an accountant if you’re not sure.

    Healthcare depends on your employer. It’s offered through a company like Aetna, United or Blue Cross. A little from each paycheck comes out for your premium. Doctor visits cost something like $10-$25, specialists cost a little more, and ER (A&E) costs even more, maybe $125-$150. You’ll likely have a deductible of several hundred dollars each year, then pay 20% of all bills until you hit your annual out-of-pocket max. These numbers all vary by employer and plan, and going out-of-network (where they don’t take your plan) costs more. Dental and vision are separate, but most employers offer them.

25. Taxes: The goal is to owe nothing and receive nothing at the year end period. If you claim a dependent, your employer will take less taxes out of your check. At year end, depending on how you file (head of household, dependent to claim etc) you may owe more. So try to be net neutral and year end. Some states have income tax in addition to federal, some states do not. Those that do not have a state income tax usually charge a higher sales tax on goods to compensate.

    Medical insurance: Dental is totally separate, and even if you have dental, it may not cover orthodontics etc. Many people don’t have dental- it’s fine unless you need something costly.

    Also- in the US you get a free annual checkup with your GP. It’s referred to as a physical. I have heard this is not the norm in NHS. Make sure to use your physical every year. It can be preventative, or catch things early. Usually bloodwork, general exam. Make sure it is coded as a physical- not a normal appointment, it is covered by insurance (free). One the back of your insurance card, the detail of your plan is available. Employer will give you information on the policy as well. Everyone’s policies are different, check the copay and deductible. Those are important to know.

    Typically, you do not need a referral to see a specialist here (check your policy- and you can always call insurance provider to ask). If you want to see a dermatologist, just book an appointment. My kid’s pediatrician kept saying she had a UTI, I knew it was wrong (tested negative), so i booked a Urologist appointment. The Urologist asked if i was referred, said no but kid is peeing blood. It was a kidney stone and was treated within a few days. You are the customer in the US- you have control over who you see and for what. So that part is pretty awesome. The cost, not so much. You do need to advocate for yourself and your family. Therapy is a little different- so check your policy. Most only cover a certain number of visits, and many therapists do not even take insurance anymore- it’s a pain for them.

    Hope this helps- and welcome!

26. There is a guy on Youtube whose channel is called Lost in the Pond. Most of his stuff is superficial but may give you information, or help figure out what you need to know.

    An important thing to remember when looking for information is that a lot of these things change from state to state, or even county to county in a state. Even towns/cities have their own tax issues to consider. And since insurance is private, your insurance coverage will be based on which companies cover your area. And then your healthcare is based on which doctors take your insurance.

    Ive only gone the other way myself, and moving to London for a few years made me realize how convoluted our taxes are. I thought they were bad but that really drove it home. There are all sorts of breaks and credits that people can take to lower their tax bills, but finding them can be a bother. And the more you have, the more difficult it is. Have investments? A retirement fund? A home? A second home? Going to school? Have kids? All are relevant which is why if you have things you want to protect, get your taxes done by a professional, especially one that can advise you about what you can do moving forward. Ours noticed that a lottery tax credit (no idea wtf that was) was missing on our town/county/state tax bill. It was $250 so really was worth having someone find every dollar owed us.

    Find expat communities online. That should help, because it is hard for people like me to know what you might be surprised by, but someone who went through it already would be a great resource.

27. For filing my taxes I use https://www.freetaxusa.com/ . There are other tax filing software like TurboTax, H&R Block, etc but that one is free and easy to use (they only charge for state taxes and some states have no taxes except for property tax, which gets mailed to you every year, and sales tax which gets included in every purchase). This website also handles complicated things like various investments, stocks, subsidies, etc so I find it handles all my needs better than the IRS website and is more user friendly. The first time you file your taxes it is hard because you have to find and get together all your documents (ex. W-2 if you are a direct full-time employee or 1099 if you are a contractor, your brokerage account like Fidelity will also give you a tax form online to tax your investments like 1099-int for interest,1099-div for stock divideds, capital gains tax for stocks that were sold for more than you bought them for, etc). Banks only post a 1099-int online if you got more than like $10 in interest, with interest rates the way they’ve been I haven’t been getting them. Taxes are due mid Apr but your tax forms come out online at the end of January or beginning of February, I usually do my taxes mid-February in case they rescind an error in the tax form after they first release. The website remembers all your information from the previous year so the second time you file is much easier, you just have to fill in the gaps.

    For health care, make sure you have insurance (most medium and large full-time employers provide it or if they don’t you can buy it yourself from the Healthcare Marketplace) and use the website of your insurance company to find in-network doctors. Companies will rip you off if you don’t have insurance or go out of network. Get your one free checkup every year with bloodwork covered by your insurance (I think there has to be 365 days since the last time you got it for it to be covered, make sure to let your primary care doctor know this is your annual checkup covered by insurance). I set an annual notification in my phone calendar. After you get a bill, especially from a hospital, call the billing department and argue with them trying to get an explanation for every item on the bill, they will often reduce the bill or even drop it. Hospitals are a massive ripoff in the USA, they overcharge for everything. In the USA, everything from the military to the hospitals to the churches to the universities is, in a sense, a sort of business. Over time you learn the way things work. I usually prefer the more expensive / better coverage insurance because cheap insurance can end up costing you a lot of money if an emergency happens, and people who spend more on insurance usually happen to take better care of their health.