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Compare US–UK tax rules side by side
Cross-border tax is full of pairs that sound alike but work differently — two foreign-account reports, two double-tax reliefs, two catch-up routes, two entire tax systems. Each comparison here sets one pair out side by side: what each is for, who it applies to, how they interact, and where people go wrong. Every page links to the guides, calculators and glossary terms behind it.
Side by side
The comparisons
Five pairs that Americans in the UK most often confuse, each explained against the other.
FBAR vs Form 8938
FBAR and Form 8938 are two separate US foreign-account reports. Learn who files each, how they differ, and why many Americans in the UK must file both.
CompareFEIE vs Foreign Tax Credit
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit are two different ways to avoid double taxation. Learn how each mechanism works, who each suits, and how they interact for Americans in the UK.
CompareStreamlined Filing vs Delinquent FBAR
Streamlined Filing and the Delinquent FBAR submission procedures are two different IRS catch-up routes. Learn which fits your situation as an American in the UK.
CompareForeign Tax Credit vs the US–UK tax treaty
The foreign tax credit and the US–UK tax treaty are different tools for avoiding double taxation. Learn how they work and how they interact for Americans in the UK.
CompareUS tax return vs UK tax return
US and UK tax returns work on different principles — citizenship-based vs residence-based taxation. Learn how the two systems differ for Americans in the UK.
CompareStart here
Which comparison do you need?
If you know your situation but not the terminology, match it here.
- You have UK bank, savings or investment accounts and are not sure which US report — or whether both — applies.
- FBAR vs Form 8938
- You earn in the UK and want to understand which relief to claim on your US return, and what switching between them means.
- FEIE vs Foreign Tax Credit
- You are behind on US filings and need to know whether you missed only the FBAR, or the returns too.
- Streamlined Filing vs Delinquent FBAR
- You have pension, investment or other income where the treaty and the credit could both apply, and want to see how they fit together.
- Foreign Tax Credit vs the US–UK tax treaty
- You are new to filing in both countries and want the two systems explained against each other before anything else.
- US tax return vs UK tax return
Keep going
More resources
Guides
Step-by-step guides that take a single topic from first principles to what to actually do.
ExploreCalculators & tools
Interactive estimators for double taxation, FBAR, residency and more.
ExploreIRS forms library
Plain-English explanations of the key US information returns for expats and dual filers.
ExploreGlossary
Clear definitions of the US and UK tax terms that matter — FBAR, FEIE, SRT, PFIC and more.
ExploreKnow which applies to you — but not what to do next?
Comparisons explain the difference; they can't decide it for your facts. Book a £350 30-minute consultation and we'll tell you which route is right for your situation — or email us for a quick question.