What is my nationality? – A question posed by many living overseas
What is the nationality of an American living abroad?
Is American a nationality?
Are you scratching your head, trying to figure out the intricacies of what is my US nationality when it comes to tax implications? Or perhaps you’re pondering, “Is the USA a nationality that affects your tax status?” At Optimise Accountants, we understand how the concept of citizenship intertwines with your fiscal responsibilities.
American citizens from birth will bear the nationality, whilst people who move to the US will need to go through a process to obtain citizenship.
A child born in the United States may have an American Citizenship even though their parents are not American. Being born in the US are considered to be a native American.
American expats living overseas will still need to determine how much taxes they will pay to the Internal Revenue Service. Use our free IRS tax estimator online tool.
What's the status you are born with
American is a nationality that carries unique tax implications, especially when you have ties to the UK. Whether you’re a citizen, a resident alien, or a non-resident with financial interests in the US, understanding the citizenship of the USA can be crucial in tax planning and compliance.
Our expertise isn’t just in identifying what your nationality is from a legal perspective; we specialize in navigating the tax implications that the United States of America has on your financial health. For Americans living abroad or individuals with business interests in the UK and the US, the question has more than just personal implications—it also affects your taxes.
How can Optimise Accountants Help - USA Expat Taxes Experts
Here’s how we can help:
Tax Forms and Compliance: Whether you need to file a Form 1040, 1040-NR, or claim benefits under the US-UK tax treaty, we’ll guide you through every step.
Expatriate Tax Advice: If you’re a UK citizen working in the US or an American expat in the UK.
Dual Nationality Planning: “What are the implications for taxes?” We’ll answer this by providing strategies to mitigate double taxation for dual citizens.
FBAR and FATCA: Have foreign accounts? We’ll assist with FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR) and Form 8938 to ensure you comply with US laws.
Here’s a brief example: John, a UK citizen who has recently acquired American citizenship, is perplexed about his tax duties in both countries. We helped John understand that while his nationality in the USA requires him to file tax returns in the US, his residence in the UK also subjects him to UK tax laws. Our tailored advice helped John take advantage of the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) to avoid double taxation.
How is your US citizenship determined?
Nationality is often determined by a set of legal parameters that vary by country, commonly referred to as the principle of “jus soli” (right of the soil) or “jus sanguinis” (right of blood).
Under jus sanguinis, a person’s nationality or citizenship is not determined by the place of birth but by having one or both parents who are state citizens. This principle means a child inherits one or both parents’ nationalities regardless of birthplace. For instance, if a child is born in the UK to American parents, the child could claim American nationality through their parents.
Conversely, jus soli is the place of birth that determines a person’s nationality. Some countries like the U.S. and Canada grant citizenship to anyone born on their soil, regardless of the parent’s status.
In practice, many countries use a combination of both principles to determine citizenship. A child in the U.S. to British parents (parents are not American citizens or permanent residents) would automatically acquire U.S. citizenship by birthplace (jus soli) while also potentially having the right to British citizenship through the parents (jus sanguinis).
This can influence tax obligations, as some countries like the United States require citizens to file tax returns and report their global income irrespective of where they live or earn. This is a critical consideration for individuals with parents from different nationalities or those starting life in a country different from their parents’ origin.
