If you own a home in America it’s advisable to employ a local professional, e.g. an accountant or tax adviser, as your representative to look after your local financial affairs and declare and pay your taxes. You can also have your representative receive your bank statements, ensure that your bank is paying your standing orders (e.g. for utilities and taxes), and that you have sufficient funds to pay them. If you let a home in America through a local company, they will usually perform the above tasks as part of their services (for a fee).
Note that it’s essential to have at least one and preferably a number of credit or charge cards in America (MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted). Even if you don’t like plastic money and shun any form of credit, credit cards have their uses and anyone in America without a number of them is considered financially untrustworthy. They can be used to pay many people who don’t usually accept credit cards in other countries such as doctors, dentists or hospitals, post offices, taxis, movie theatres, parking lots, fast-food restaurants and telephone companies. Other benefits include no deposits on rental cars, no pre-paying hotel bills (plus guaranteed bookings), obtaining cash, simple telephone and mail-order payments, Internet shopping payments, safety and security (compared to carrying large amounts of cash), and above all, convenience. Note, however, that not all businesses and professionals accept cards.
This section includes information on importing and exporting money; credit rating; banking; mortgages; taxes (property, income, capital gains, inheritance, gift and sales); wills; and the cost of living. Find More information about resources >>
|
 |
More