Global Moves, Local Blind Spots: The Case for Cross-Border Financial Advice

Back in the U.S., you probably worked with a domestic adviser. But the moment you move to, say, France – all of that changes. Your U.S. adviser likely won’t know how France treats those accounts from a tax perspective, which means all that careful planning can go out the window. 

They might also assume you’ll benefit from the $13 million U.S. estate tax exemption. But if you’re living overseas, depending on the types of assets you hold and your residency status, your exemption might be as low as $6,000 – with everything else taxed at up to 40%. 

And if you’ve kept an old U.S. address on file – maybe your mum’s – to stay connected to your adviser, they won’t necessarily spot these issues. 

Yes, you’ll probably still get decent investment advice. They’ll help you choose good mutual funds, ETFs, and tell you whether to lean towards U.S. or tech-heavy allocations over the next six months. That part of the service often remains solid, especially if they’re managing your assets through volatile times. 

But the structural planning? That’s likely to be missed entirely. 

Take France, for example. An assurance vie is a highly tax-efficient way to invest – but most U.S. advisers won’t even know what it is. And that means you miss out on a key local opportunity. 

This is exactly where a cross-border specialist adds real value. They can focus on the 80% of your situation that domestic advisers might overlook. Whether you’re spending 10 years in France, then heading to the UK, or even planning to return to the U.S. later – a specialist can help at every stage. They can take the call when your life shifts, and make sure your financial plan shifts with it.

And it’s not just a U.S. issue. 

Say you’re moving from the UK to France. Your UK adviser might have set you up with pensions and ISAs – but in France, ISAs aren’t tax-free. From a structural planning point of view, you might want to cash those out before becoming a French tax resident – because in the UK, you can do that tax-free. 

Then, once in France, you could reinvest the proceeds into an assurance vie to benefit from local tax efficiency. If you don’t, you could find yourself paying capital gains tax on ISA gains – which defeats the whole purpose. 

That’s where the real value lies. It’s not just about picking good investments. Your UK adviser might have chosen a great fund inside your ISA – but if you’re now in France and paying tax on it, that advice falls short. 

At Hoxton Wealth, we have specialists in different jurisdictions who really understand the intricacies of each one. 

No one adviser can know everything about every country – that’s not realistic. But there are key regions where we have strong working knowledge, especially when it comes to how they differ from the U.S. And that’s how we make sure the advice we give is fit for purpose. 

Across the business, we’ve got over 90 advisers – and around 30 of them are U.S.-qualified and authorised to give advice, and we can lean on that expertise where needed. 

Tax advice is equally important. U.S. taxation is complex and getting it wrong can be expensive. Ignorance is not a valid excuse. The IRS doesn’t turn up and say, “Don’t worry, you made a mistake – we’ll let it slide.” They’re known to be firm, and they’ll make sure every cent is paid, plus penalties if you’ve filed incorrectly. 

It’s great to have a U.S. adviser supporting you. But it’s just as important to make sure they’re aware of the bigger picture. 

At Hoxton, we can’t give tax advice because we’re financial professionals. But we know many excellent tax advisers – and we’d like to think we can point you in the right direction when you need one. 

Life abroad doesn’t come with a financial manual. For U.S. expats, the rules can change quickly – and what worked back home may no longer apply. That’s why our team is built around cross-border expertise, helping you make smart, forward-looking decisions with confidence. 

Whether you're settling long-term or just testing the waters overseas, we’ll work with you to simplify the complexity, connect you with trusted tax professionals when needed, and ensure your financial plan is aligned with your global lifestyle. 

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. The opinions shared here are based on current conditions, which may be subject to changes. They do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Please consult with a qualified adviser licensed in your jurisdiction to assess your specific financial situation. Service availability from Hoxton Wealth may vary by location. Please contact us to be directed to the appropriate entity based on the services offered in your region.