British Expatriate Network

Out of interest, who has taken the plunge and decided to become US citizens?

I am going to be filing my naturalisation papers in two weeks (the first date I am eligible). I have only recently decided to do this. I was holding back, mainly for tax reasons, not for philosophical ones.

Interestingly, my mother-in-law is filing for naturalisation about now too, despite having lived in the US for over 40 years. I think she is now thinking about estate taxes and realised that we will all be better off if she is a US citizen.

If we file around the same time and are processed at the same rate, we should be up for swearing in around the same time. I think it would be neat for us to do this together, if it's possible.

Why do you want to become a citizen if you don't want to stay here? I'm sure I remembered you saying you were here for a set period and your true home is in England? Have I remembered incorrectly?

I did think that way for a while, but it appears we will be here for at least another couple of years, which will put me over the threshhold that prevents me from relinquishing my permanent residency for tax reasons. Therefore, I won't have that reason for not naturalising (and I consider worldwide taxation policy the only downside of naturalisation). Reasons for naturalising become more important.

Even when we do move back, with DH's job, it is always on the cards that we will return to the US. Although I am not totally averse to the visa process, it would be convenient not to go through it for a third time.

I became eligible to go for citizenship in June of this year but still haven't started the process.

I think I need time to become more comfortable with the idea, especially when you have to say that you will relinquish any allegiance to foreign kings or governments. I'd like to be able to mean what I say, rather than just going through the motions.

I know I'm here for the foreseeable future as I'm married to a US citizen.

I have.

I have too, many years ago. smile

i took the plunge and became a citizen about 10 years ago. i think it is cool to have 2 passports.

bvamin

I'm in the process of doing so.

Dianey, I feel just the same way, became eligable this year and haven't taken the plunge yet, but if I wait to mean it, I think I will be waiting forever, so I will probably apply soon.

I became naturalized just over 2 years ago - I was able to do it sooner becuase hubby was in the military.

Anyway I remember going to Denver for the interview and I was meant to come back weeks later to do the ceremony but due to the distance I had to travel they decided to do it right then and there which I wasn't prepared for at all!

I had thought I would be fine with it and I told myself that it was only words and I'm still a Brit but I did feel bad afterwards and did have some Brit friends who called me a traitor!!

The way I see it you have the best of both worlds which ever one you choose to eventually end up in.

What are you talking about "tax purposes"?? -I've always paid taxes here in America - before and after. ???

I got naturalized the same day I got sworn in as an attorney, which was also the same day as my mother's birthday.

The local law rag sent a reporter to cover the day. Me, mum, and the reporter rushed from the Federal Court (re swearing in as a naturalized US citizen) and then off to a state function (with the temporary designation of a superior state court) to get sworn in as an attorney.

Then we celebrated with my work mates in a nice restaurant on one of the top floors of a big skyscraper. A day to remember or forget - depending on one's stress level capacity.

(After the INS interview I was asked about days I could not attend the swearing ceremony for citizenship, I specifically said x day was a bad day because I was getting sworn in as an attorney. Once I got the date for the naturalization ceremony I felt it wrong to change because somehow that felt wrong. Don't ask me to explain it, I can't.)

But it made the papers, and made my mother proud.

I did some years ago , i have 2 passports in the same case making sure i take both on trips .

Nice to have the best of both worlds and not have to wait in line to long at the airport ....

I don't have any philosophical reasons for not naturalising. I don't feel that I will be any less of a Brit for taking another citizenship - I really view it as quite a positive move.

I think I will feel a bit more secure here with citizenship. I hate being obliged to carry my green card at all times, for example. And I would be worried about getting deported for some minor infraction (although I am painfully law-abiding).

Regarding the tax policy, this goes two ways. If you are outside the US, it can be a bit burdensome, tax-wise, to be a US citizen/permanent resident because you have to file US taxes each year, and there are some situations where you may actually owe taxes. Ir's possible to relinquish your permanent residency of course, but the IRS may have a different view if you have lived in the US for several years. If you are living in the US, it is better to be a US citizen, specifically if you are the beneficiary of your spouse's estate. The IRS assumes that a widow will take the US created wealth back to her home country on the death of her spouse, so taxes the estate at a very high rate. There's typically no tax to pay on spousal inheritance otherwise.

To bvamin & JohnA

I always thought they wouldn't let you keep two passports.

I have heard horror stories about people getting stopped at airports and being in hot water for having a passport other than the American one in their posession.

This is what has stopped me taking the plunge.

Never happened to me:-) ,and i have a question unless you told them or they did a extensive search (why would they look for a passport ??).how would they know ??????