Thanks so much for this, super helpful information! Already spent 14 months in LA before so I have paid federal and state taxes before (but was working for US companies at the time so was so super straight forward). I had heard of the tax agreements between the US and Australia but didnt realise it only covered the federal one. I'll most likely stay in california for at least the first year since my partner lives there, so has all of her family ties there as well but might look into moving somewhere cheaper once I build up a credit score.
Judging my timeline I would probably be moving in September/October, so I shouldnt have too much state tax to pay, and that should also give me a few months to find a US job. I'm not too attached to staying with an Australian company (although I love the job I'm at now) the benefits of a US job definitely outweigh working for an aus company is terms of salary and the health care benefits that a lot offer, so will most likely be the approach I go. The remote Aus job (intentionally took a remote job that was okay with me moving for this reason) was always just to help with the transition period for the first few months, a lot of the companies I'm planning to apply at only take hire US residents so it's tough applying for them before being in the country and without a guaranteed moving date (since we dont get the GC til we've actually been approved at the embassy).
But all this info is definitely pushing me to find a US job upon arrival quicker!
Ill be there from the 3rd-9th (So the Sunday and Monday you are). Will be free on the Sunday since I arrive early, but will be working the next day for most of the day so only free at night
That’s awesome, once you have a US job the whole state income and federal income taxes don’t become an issue as it’s all just part of your tax and as you have experienced pretty straightforward. Only an issue with the foreign remote.
As you’re planning to come end of year you should be fine then for state income taxes (depends on individual etc) as you’ll be under the threshold for CA taxes or only a small bill. Then gives you plenty of time to spend 2023 looking for a local job.
Didn’t know you have a partner over here, if she has health insurance through her job, depending on the conditions of her plan it might be possible to add you to her plan, not sure if you have to be married etc or how family members on plans work, so at least look into that to see if it’s an option.
You also mentioned your credit score (it seems to rule everything over here). For anyone coming over, I’d recommend get an American Express credit card (for those that don’t have one) in Australia at least 3 months before you leave (longer if possible), once you arrive in the US, if you have been an American Express customer in Australia for at least 3 months they will give you a US American Express card when you arrive without a U.S. credit score - this then allows you to start building a US credit score from as soon as you arrive. It’s called the American Express global transfer program.
More details can be found here: https://www.americanexpress.com/global-card-transfers/united-states.html
Last edited:
