19 October 2018 – 15 January 2019 Admission Free, 10 am – 5 pm, Mon, Tues, Fri and Sat www.islington.gov.uk/heritage

Visiting a famous, seemingly boundless museum, housing artwork by historic and contemporary artists, can be an overwhelming and exhausting experience. There is so much to see, indeed too much to see; we feel as if we do not have enough time to appreciate all these revered treasures in one visit. We ask ourselves: do we have the patience and energy to digest it all? The galleries are crowded; time to gaze is restricted. Frankly, we may not even like what we see although we are ‘meant’ to like what we see.

In contrast, visiting smaller museums can be a refreshing and relatively more intimate experience. The small ones are unlikely to be too crowded, and their focus, be it a particular craft (such as The Fan Museum in Greenwich), person (for one try the Florence Nightingale Museum in Lambeth), theme (there is the quite unique Museum of Comedy in Bloomsbury) or local history, is always enlightening because it is narrowly focussed and often unusual. Local history, in particular, allows us to feast on snapshots of every day culture.

Even if the tiny semi-precious museum gems do hold artwork by the great, the collections are not as vast as those of the majestic ones; we have the time to absorb what we see; and one cannot help but be moved by the sense of civic pride that emanates from the writing on the exhibit panels and the enthusiastic, often volunteer, staff. It has not been easy to find the funding to keep the building open, the collection intact, and curate exhibitions.

London has many such museums, in the centre and in outlying boroughs, housed in historic houses, libraries, and municipal buildings. One such commendable discovery is the Islington Museum. It is not only home to a permanent exhibition about local history but changing exhibitions with a local link. A recent one explored Holloway Prison, a former borough institution, unfortunately now closed amidst much controversy. (Holloway Prison was not only the largest women’s prison in the United Kingdom but also all of Western Europe.) The current exhibition, Raids, Rations and Rifles – Islington during the First World War runs until 15 January 2019. It is particularly relevant as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday fall on the same date in 2018, and, in fact, November 11, 2018 is the centenary of the armistice when the fighting in World War I ceased. Remembering is all the more poignant because of these coincidences.

What we learn is locally distinctive, not the prime ‘stuff’ of the capital’s Imperial War Museum, or the National Army Museum, where political strategy, weaponry and military logistics are prime topics in a national and international context. Moreover, what is local may inspire us to find out more about its significance in a wider historical and social context.

Perhaps our food banks, for example, could be developed to resemble the National Kitchens that were established by the British government during World War I in light of the shortage of food, especially imported food? They were intended to feed people inexpensively and economically. People of all ages and from all walks of life would eat in what were restaurants for “ordinary people in ordinary circumstances”. While standing on line, they would be served by volunteer workers and then eat their meals while sitting at long communal tables. The fare was meant to be nourishing, certainly not adventurous; food wastage during food preparation was unforgiveable.

Food production was also undertaken. Cornish pasties, for example, were made so that they could be ‘taken into the field’. In Islington, a National Kitchen, set up in 1918, made black puddings. It used the by-products of the cattle and livestock brought to the slaughterhouses at the borough’s Caledonian cattle and livestock market. Black pudding is traditionally made with fresh blood, usually pig’s blood, but possibly cow’s or sheep’s blood, some form of fat and rusk, such as oats or barley, and seasoning. The mixture is then put into a casing, beef intestine for example, and boiled. This can be fried or baked. Making a pudding with animals’ blood ensures that the blood does not go to waste. Indeed, blood pudding is a good source of protein, zinc and iron. Nowadays, oddly enough, blood pudding is included in many trendy British brunch menus.

Two years earlier a fair was held at the market site to raise money for the Allied Wounded Soldiers Relief Fund, a charity that helped to establish hospitals and provided money for ambulances. Two of the organisers were Harry Gordon Selfridge of the department store fame and the novelist Arnold Bennett. Among the sale items were 2,220 tons of coal and a champion British bulldog. At Mrs Arnold Bennett’s stall one could find books autographed by GK Chesterton, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Joseph Conrad. There were 25,000 people attending and £30,000 was raised, which in our time is the equivalent of £1.5 million ($1.95 million)!

Various enterprises in Islington contributed distinctively to the war effort. Exploring the variety of contributions reveals much about how people lived in the past.

The Whitbread Brewery in Chiswell Street was proud that some of its handsome and muscly draught horses, over one hundred – the Whitbread Shires - were commandeered for service. In common with other horses commandeered, they laboured behind the lines. Horses could move easily through mud, transporting medical staff, the wounded, supplies and artillery on wagons. Sadly, none of the Whitbread Shire horses ever returned. Disease, poor nourishment and hygiene, dire weather conditions, and the strain of the relentless work rather than gunfire caused many fatalities. In 1991, the Clerkenwell stables closed and the remaining horses were sent to a permanent home in Paddock Wood in Kent. Incidentally, many thousands of American horses were shipped to Britain to help with the war effort.

Dove Brothers, a large, well respected construction firm in Cloudesley Place, known for its civil engineering projects, shops, offices, Anglican churches and non-conformist chapels, turned its production over to producing wooden propeller blades. (Metal ones were manufactured after the war.) Both men and women worked at the site doing what was a highly skilled job. Workers had to ensure that the angles of the blade were shaped and balanced exactly such that the planes would work most efficiently. Municipal buildings were used in unusual ways to help the war effort. In 1917, The Bank of England took over the vacant St. Luke’s Asylum for the Mentally Ill in Old Street so that it could be used as printing works; war bonds were among its publications. The first such bond was printed by King George V during a Royal visit to the works in December 1917. Selling war bonds to the population was a means of raising money for the war effort; good patriots should show their support by buying war bonds.

The North Library in Manor Gardens became a hospital annex to the adjacent Great Northern Hospital for war casualties. It contained 80 hospital beds; its gardens were used for huts to house hospital orderlies. By 1919, 2,045 men had received medical and surgical treatment at the annex. The Central and West Libraries became recruiting stations. The Ministry of Food used the South Library for the Local Food Control Committee which regulated the supply of food.

The borough was also home to anti-war movements. In 1916 and 1917 unsympathetic and violent protesters disrupted meetings for pacifists at the Brotherhood Church in Southgate Road. The most eventful clash was after a meeting attended by 250 delegates, including the philosopher, historian and pacifist Bertrand Russell. It was sparked by the nearly 8,000 who gathered outside. In spite of police presence, delegates were physically assaulted and much church furniture was destroyed. Several months later the church was set alight and so damaged that no more meetings could be held there. Elsewhere in the borough the North London Herald League held mass anti-war meetings, one of which was addressed by the suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst. These meetings were regularly attacked by the members of the Anti-German Union who referred to the protestors as "peace cranks". One local notable resident and peace activist was Baron Archibald Fenner Brockway (1888–1988). He became a Labour MP for Leyton East in London, and years later the MP for Eton and Slough. Brockway spent time in the local Pentonville Prison for refusing to pay a fine for distributing anti-conscription leaflets. Later Brockway became a founder member of the movements War on Want and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Islington is proud of the fact that the oldest regiment in the British Army, The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), incorporated by Royal Charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII, was located in the part of City Road that lies in the borough. Its battalions greatly contributed to the war effort. Many of its members received military awards. Two notable members were the actors Nigel Bruce, known for his portrayal of Dr Watson with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes in a series of Hollywood films, and John Laurie, well known for his character Private Frazer in the Dad’s Army television comedy.

In the glass topped table displays in the Islington Museum are a variety of war memorabilia, including one soldier’s photo album. Soldiers were banned from taking photographs after 1915 in order to stop the British from seeing horrific images of war. This serving photographer smuggled his film in a hollowed out shaving stick. There are medals and cap badges on display and also a newsletter from the internment camp for 750 German and Austrian internees in Cornwallis Road. You can view a charming film montage showing various local patriotic events taking place during the war such as a garden party for the wounded. Quite a few of the people look very dour!

After the ceasefire, many celebrations took place in the streets of Islington; in the borough there are three prominent war memorials. Nearly one million people lost their lives in the war and almost 10,000 were linked in some way to Islington. Sadly, the residents of the borough experienced great economic hardship after the war, and although welfare programmes had begun to improve the lives of many, the darkening clouds of World War Two were threatening the advent of a stormy future.

As a resident of Islington, it was gratifying to view the exhibition; I have often walked past the sites we learn about in the Museum. Indeed, strolling through the borough alerts one to another distinguishing venture related to World War I: the plaques installed in many Islington streets, thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, listing those service men and women who lived in the street and died in World War I.

The exhibition is a poignant and timely reminder of the sacrifices made by the people of Islington and elsewhere in order to bring peace to all corners of the world. We will remember them and all those who have fought and continue to fight in the spirit of humanity.

Article by Jenny Kingsley.

There is another fascinating museum in Islington which is well worth a special trip: the London Canal Museum, where you can see inside a narrow boat cabin and learn about the people who lived and worked the waterways and the horses that pulled the boats. The museum is housed in a former ice warehouse, which was built in 1862 for Carlo Gatti, a famous ice cream maker. There are exhibits exploring the history of the ice trade and ice cream. Visit www.londoncanalmuseum.org.uk for further information.

Images credits: Islington Local History Centre

Top image: Great Northern Hospital annexe at North Library, Manor Gardens. Last troops leaving the library in March 1919.

Middle image: The Honourable Artillery Company on a recruitment march in Finsbury Square, 1914.

Bottom image: Islington-born Evelyn Hilda Hutchings, aged five years, dressed as ‘Victory’, 1918/19.

In the UK we are fortunate to have access to NHS healthcare; free at the point of delivery, based on needs not ability to pay, and available to all who may require it. However, many people also access the private sector for healthcare and with that draw on the benefits of seeing a private GP, this may well be the case for patients unable to access the NHS.

Speed of Access

One advantage of seeing a private GP is that they are readily available at a time that is convenient to you and offer a shorter waiting time. Most private GPs offer same day appointments and you should expect to be seen within hours of requesting an appointment, not days. Most private GP’s will see their patients on time, and time spent in the waiting room is significantly shorter then when seeing an NHS GP.

Longer Consultations

A private appointment means there is more time for your consultation. You can bring several symptoms or problems to the attention of your GP, rather than just the one problem as is often the case in NHS General Practice. Most private GPs will offer a consultation time of around 30 minutes or even an hour. In this time you are given plenty of time to discuss your concerns, be clinically examined, be investigated thoroughly and referred to a specialist if required. You can expect a full medical examination and a detailed discussion about your family as well as personal medical history in order to fully assess your condition or any risk factor. This is done in an organised, efficient and timely manner. Therefore, your condition will be treated much more quickly, effectively and appropriately.

Flexibility

There tends to be more flexibility in private general practices, offering extended appointment times to provide their patients with ease of access. This may include early morning, lunchtime, evening or even weekend appointments. The London General Practice offer a 24 hour service. With doctors on call covering every hour of the day including Christmas and Bank Holidays visiting you at home, place of work or hotel.

Personalised Bespoke Treatment

There is normally greater choice in selecting a private GP with patients being able to choose who they wish to see. Patients may have the choice of GPs at a practice and can choose who they prefer to see. This may be for personal reasons or they may prefer a male or female doctor. Similarly, if desired, in the private sector you are more likely to be able to see the same Doctor each time you visit, enhancing the personal experience and quality of care.

Efficiency

Private GPs tend to have access to very best diagnostics, specialists and consultants. Referrals are fast and much quicker. The turnaround time for test results is also quick with blood tests being returned on the same day. For example, we aim to receive results of urgent diagnostic scans on the same day. This means that if you see a private GP in the morning you can expect to have a full examination and the answers to any blood tests or diagnostics by the afternoon, meaning that any concerns are rapidly addressed.

Visits

Private GPs provide house visits coming to you if required. A private GP can see you in your own surroundings and in the comfort of your own home, work or hotel at a time to suit you, for example, after work or at the weekend. Private GPs also offer a one stop shop where patients can access additional services such as travel vaccinations, blood tests and health screens.

Private GPs offer extensive health screening including cardiovascular health screening, screening for cancer, well woman and well man screening.

Article by Dr Angela Rai.  The London General Practice was founded by Dr Paul Ettlinger, one of London’s most respected and well established private doctors. The Practice is based on Harley Street, London and provides UK-based and international patients with a comprehensive range of excellent private healthcare. We pride ourselves on the flexible, personal care we provide to our patients, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Practice consults for many private families, leading insurers, the entertainment industry, numerous multinational companies and prestigious London hotels.

PRIVATE GP SERVICES

Building personal, meaningful relationships with all patients is of the utmost importance for the Practice, as is allowing adequate time for a comprehensive, thorough and accurate personal health assessment.

The London General Practice has consultation facilities on Harley Street, which is linked to an excellent range of diagnostic and analytical facilities, many of which are available in the same building.

In addition to our comprehensive private primary care service, our preventative healthcare service includes general health screening, and also well-woman and well-man health screening, to address gender specific health concerns. The London General Practice 114a Harley Street, London W1G 7JL (Entrance on Devonshire Street; between Harley Street and Portland Place) Tel: +44 (0)207 935 1000 www.thelondongeneralpractice.com

Before moving to England, I copied many of my familiar recipes and prepared lists of online cooking bookmarks, and today these are an important element in my British kitchen. Successful results with these treasured American recipes often depend on altering original ingredients and the adjusting cooking details. Trial and error are often my baking methods, so I have learned that keeping kitchen notes is a valuable time saver.

As I follow my American recipes, I refer to my 10 helpful tips of British ingredients, terms for adjustments, substitutes, and replacements.

1. Brown Sugar: Substitute Muscovado (a cane sugar, available in light and dark)

2. Graham Cracker Crumbs, for desserts: Substitute crumbled cookies (British biscuits, digestive biscuits work well).

3. Buttermilk: Plain yogurt is a substitute for buttermilk. (Buttermilk copycat option: Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into one cup of milk, stir the mixture thoroughly, and then let it stand for 5 minutes.)

4. Half and half: Substitute with single cream

5. Confectionary Sugar: Same as British icing sugar

6. Measurements: 16 tablespoons per 1 cup (3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoons)

7. Karo syrup (corn type syrup): Golden syrup replacement for corn syrup

8. Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Substitute dark cooking chocolate, chopped bar of dark cooking chocolate can be substituted for semi-sweet chocolate chips.

9. Cream of Tartar: White vinegar works as a substitute for cream of tartar when beating egg whites (1/8 teaspoon per egg)

10. Quick oven setting from fahrenheit (USA) conversion to celsius, fan gas (UK) reduce baking time slightly for fan assisted oven.

• 300F equals 150C, 130C fan
• 325F equals 170C, 150C fan
• 350F equals 180C, 160C fan
• 375F equals190C, 170C fan
• 400F equals 200C, 180C fan

Recipes using self-raising flour will depend on a raising ingredient (leavening agent) which is already included in the self-raising flour to provide volume to your dish. Baking powder, the leavening agent in self-raising flour, can loose that raising ability over time. UK baking staples tend to have less shelf-life time than most US products so remember to check the product date to avoid using expired products. Expired flour products will not produce successful results for your baked foods.

Plain flour does not have a leavening agent added and the shelf life is longer. A quick and easy adjustment to plain flour (all-purpose flour) can make your own self-raising flour when needed. Add 1 tsp baking powder (bicarbonate of soda) into 1 cup all plain (purpose flour), sift together and you now have self-raising flour.

As the days become shorter, I depend on my go to meals, which can be prepared with minimum advanced preparation. This is the easiest pizza crust recipe ever, as it only uses two ingredients. It works! You have pizza crust in minutes. Add your choice of toppings for a delicious hot treat.

Easy Pizza Crust Easy Pizza Crust

(Simple, only 2 Ingredients)

1 1/2 cups self-raising flour

1 cup (227ml) plain Greek yoghurt

Pre-heat oven 170C fan assisted

Prepare only half for smaller size crust Thoroughly combine both ingredients in medium bowl. Cover and let dough mixture sit for 15 minutes.

Spread the dough onto a lightly oiled baking sheet or pizza pan then add the topping of your choice. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes (Pre-bake and freeze for later use if needed.)

Delicious Lemon Meringue Pie

• Crust

1 1/2 cups cookie/biscuit crumbs

1 tablespoon granulated sugar (white table sugar)

1⁄4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted

Pinch of salt

• Filling

200 grams soft cheese (substitute for American cream cheese)

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup (114ml) fresh or bottled lemon juice

2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

• Meringue Topping

3 Egg Yokes

1/4 (4 tablespoons) granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (substitute 1/8 teaspoon white vinegar)

(Option: whipped cream topping)

170C fan assisted oven

Combine the crust ingredients in a medium bowl. Press mixture into pie dish and chill. Add the filling ingredients into a large bowl mixing until smooth.

Pour the filling mixture into the prepared crust and chill while preparing the meringue topping. In a medium bowl place meringue topping ingredients and beat at high speed until mixture forms stiff peaks. Spread on top of the pie and bake in 170C fan assisted oven for approximately 10-15 minutes. Watch the pie carefully while baking and remove the pie from oven when the meringue appears lightly brown. Let the pie sit for at least 30 minutes if possible before serving.

I hope that you find my no stress recipes to be a time saver during your busy day. These recipes can be prepared ahead of time – so one less thing to worry about!

“You’re Moving To England?... Why Would You Want To Do That?”

It was the spring of 2004, I was in sales for Heineken USA and working and living in Arkansas. If you’ve never been to Arkansas, it’s a beautiful place, but a whole lot of nothing in large parts of the state. Same is true for Texas, where I’m from. So, being in sales, I drove and drove and drove all the time. On the last day of my job in Arkansas before moving to London (promotion with my husband’s job), I called on a liquor store literally in the middle of nowhere to take a last order and say good-bye. I told the owner/clerk/ only employee I was moving to England.

First, she said, “England, Arkansas?” And I said, “Um, no ... it’s England, like THE England, you know way over there, like across the pond” (though I’m not sure if that bit registered). Seemed ages as she pondered this then said, “Why in the world would you want to do that?”.

And maybe she had a point. What was I really expecting? It all seemed so worldly and exciting as I anticipated the move. Buckingham Palace, Afternoon Tea, world class shopping, travelling by underground - I’ll do it all! Everyone speaks English, the transition will be seamless! I’ve been to London once on holiday, no problem!

As you can imagine, after a few months, the novelty and bright lights started to fade, though I did finally get used to public transportation and not having a car. I learned to have no fear and move through a crowd like I was a horse with blinders on. I’d tell myself “move quick and with purpose, or you will get run over”. I’m really quite brutal about it now.

But I did start to love the pub culture, Sunday lunches, quiz nights, grocery delivery (this was 2004 remember), the NHS, Indian food, Eastenders, walking everywhere, the Eurostar, travel - so much was different from what I had ever experienced.

However, as time went on, I was really missing things from home. Friends, family, Fritos, the weather, the Gulf of Mexico, corn tortillas (I still struggle with this one) and I began to see lots of differences in people in London vs. what I was used to at home. I’m a runner and noticed early on, when you go for a run here, no one usually says a word to you. In Texas, you’ll get several acknowledgements “Mornin!”, “Hi”, “Have a nice day” as you run. Pretty much silence here, which I wasn’t used to.

Though I will say if you have an emergency whilst (love this word) out in public in the UK, people will leap to your defence and help. I was pregnant in 2006, almost fainted on a packed train to London Victoria one morning, and this woman from out of nowhere yelled at the top of her lungs “HEY everyone, this lady needs air! Make way, I need help!” And loads of people moved, made a place for me to lie down, and were fanning me with their morning Metros.

When we first moved, I was offered the chance to work with Heineken UK, which I had to have a real think about. I ended up deciding instead to pursue a Master’s degree in Addiction Psychology, and today I have my own Psychotherapy Practice. How in the heck does one go from beer to counselling?

I think part of it was that I hoped to figure myself out, and surely I’d learn enough to make myself happy no matter where I lived. I was really struggling missing home, my parents, friends, everything I was used to. I’m an only child and was feeling tremendous guilt for not being around the corner to help my parents. Dad was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and Mum in her late 80’s.

I went back when I could, once or twice a year, but still struggled with not being closer. Luckily in my Master’s degree training I was required to go to a therapist myself. Good thing because I didn’t realise how I was completely a “grass is greener ” person, dreaming only of being back in Texas.

I recently went on a cruise to Mexico with 49 of my sorority sisters from The University of Texas at Austin. Most of us hadn’t seen each other in 35+ years. When I arrived, I was considered the “world traveller”, the woman whose life was envied.

But moving to the UK is not all “easy peasy lemon squeezy”. Everyday things you felt you “just knew” in the US have to be re-learned. Even though the Brits do speak English, words for everyday things differ.

“Paper towels” are “kitchen towels.” “Restroom” and “bathroom” are replaced with “loo” or “toilet.” The temperature is reported in Celsius, and the list goes on.

Social customs can also be challenging. Customer service may feel different. You may question when, and how much, to tip. Workplace norms, or the challenge of being the trailing spouse, can add to these frustrations.

Triggers for home can pile on. Babies, marriages, holidays, and illnesses are big triggers for homesickness – whether happening in Britain or in the US. Dealing with all of this can require the right kind of space to vent your frustrations and feelings.

People often choose therapy because they are experiencing difficulties and distress in their lives. You don’t have to be in crisis to have counselling, you just may be seeking help to get through a difficult/challenging time.

In the UK, there are many resources to provide support beyond expat concerns.

The NHS provides many options that you can find online or confidentially from your local GP.

For concerns triggered by your expat experience, speaking with a qualified professional may help ease your worries and find practical ways to manage. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the largest and broadest professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK with over 44,000 members. Support can range from face to face sessions to online (Skype) sessions or even phone or email counselling.

Sometimes, just having the ear and advice of a professional can help guide you through a rough time.

Eleven years later, one move back to Texas, and therapy for myself to adjust, I finally feel like London is home. Texas is also still home, and it’s ok to have two places that I love and that I call home. And I even whinge about the sweltering heat in Texas now. How did I ever stand it that hot?

Ann Allega, MSc, MBACP, FDAP, ACTO, MCiPN is a Psychotherapist in private practice with a particular interest in American expat clients. Before pursuing a Masters in Addiction Psychology from London South Bank University, Ann worked for Heineken and Miller Brewing Company as a Sales Manager covering several states. Ann, her husband Philip and son Austin now live in Greenwich in South East London and love travelling. In her spare time, she likes to cook anything Italian, go to the gym and read crime thrillers. Visit annallegacounselling.co.uk

Autumn is typically a busy time, both professionally and personally. A few short months are squeezed between the end of Summer and the start of holiday season festivities. It is easy to forget to prioritise important year end planning for you and your family.

Given that 2018 is the first tax year with President Trump’s tax reforms in place, now is the time to review your individual situation and look to take advantage of tax-deferred growth opportunities, tax advantaged investments and charitable-giving opportunities amongst others. Reviewing your investment portfolio with respect to your wealth goals and the current tax, political and economic landscape can help you understand where adjustments need to be made to be optimally positioned for 2018 and beyond.

For those considering tax moves, you generally need to take action before 1 January. The tax reforms have resulted in different marginal income tax bands, an increase in the standard deduction, and a change in the types and thresholds of expenses allowed to be claimed as itemised deductions. Additionally, it has resulted in a change in estate planning thresholds and the way income will be taxed for many self-employed individuals.

Whilst we are not Tax Advisers, and we always recommend clients discuss such matters with their Tax Advisers, from an investment perspective, there are a few planning areas to consider before 2018 ends. Keep in mind that the ideas listed are conversation starters for most investors and is by no means an exhaustive list. You and your Wealth Manager along with your Tax Adviser should assess any action based on your own personal circumstances.

Capital Gains Planning

For any taxable investment portfolio, you should consider whether it is sensible to realise long-term gains and harvest capital losses. Reviewing opportunities to offset investment gains with investment losses may help to reduce your overall tax liability, including the Medicare surtax. If you are filing UK tax on an Arising Basis you may benefit from the UK’s annual £11,700 capital gains tax allowance. If you have not used up your annual allowance, you should consider opportunities to accelerate UK gain recognition so that the allowance benefit is not lost. In this regard, it is important to assess the gain in both GBP and USD terms as foreign currency movement over the period of ownership can potentially have a big impact on gain recognition.

With any transactions that you decide to undertake, you should be aware of “wash-sale” rules that stop you from deducting capital losses on the sale of a particular security if you purchase a similar position within a 61-day period (30 days before and after the sale date).

Retirement Planning

With respect to retirement savings goals, it is generally sensible to take advantage of tax- deferred growth opportunities.

2018 maximum contributions are as follows:

 • $5,500 to Traditional and Roth IRAs (an additional catch up contribution of $1,000 is available for those aged 50 or older) – allowable and deductible contribution limits are determined based on filing status and income limitations

• $18,500 to 401(k) plans (an additional catch-up contribution of $6,000 is available for those aged 50 or older). The total of all contributions to a US qualified Defined Contribution scheme cannot exceed $55,000 (or $61,000 if aged 50 or older) in 2018. An employee still actively participating in a company 401k plan may be able to make up to $36,500 in after-tax contributions before 31 December (in addition to the $18,500 in pre-tax contributions)

• For tax year 2018/19, the maximum UK pension contribution allowance is tapered down from £40,000 to £10,000 for any individual who earns between £150,000 and £210,000 in the tax year. Individuals with any outstanding available prior year catch-up contributions should consider utilising their available allowances before they expire. This may also be a way of using available excess foreign tax credits carried on your US tax return.

It is equally important to understand what retirement distributions may be required. In most circumstances, anyone with US qualified retirement plans are required to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions from the year in which you turn age 70 and a half. If RMDs are required in 2018 they must be taken before the end of the year in order to avoid penalties. Individuals have the option to direct up to $100,000 in RMDs as a charitable contribution for the year which can lower an individual’s taxable income.

Charitable Giving

With the higher standard deduction thresholds now in place for taxpayers, it is likely that fewer individuals will be in a position of itemising deductions each year. This could result in charitable donations being lumped together in certain tax years to maximise the tax impact in the year donations are made. With this in mind, it may be sensible to consider whether a dual qualified donor- advised fund helps meet your legacy and tax- savings objectives. The tax deduction occurs in the year the DAF is funded, but donations can be spread out to various charities over the preferred number of years.

Additionally, as always it is important to think strategically about what assets are used to facilitate charitable donations. For example, consideration should be given to whether to donate low-cost basis stocks or highly appreciated assets rather than cash.

Gift Planning

In 2018, US individuals can gift $152,000 to non-US citizen spouses and $15,000 to other non-spouse individuals before the gift applies against the individual’s US lifetime allowance. If tax efficient wealth transfer is a consideration, then thinking about utilising this allowance can help you transfer significant wealth over time without triggering a gift tax liability.

Individuals can consider making a gift of up to $5,500 to a Roth or Traditional IRA for any US resident children or grandchildren who are not funding their own IRAs but have enough US earned income to do so. Contributions to IRAs for family members will be considered taxable gifts and should be coordinated with any other gifts that you make.

For any children or grandchildren that might attend primary or secondary schools with tuition bills or are of university age, you could consider paying the tuition bill directly to the institution. Paying the institution directly can qualify as an exemption from the US gifting rules and will not reduce your lifetime allowance.

Business Planning

There were a number of changes announced under the Trump Tax Reform for US owners of foreign businesses. If you haven’t yet sought tax advice on how the changes impact your individual situation, it is important to consider doing so. In addition to the repatriation tax that impacted many business owners, the global intangible low- taxed income, or GILTI for short, is set to have a material effect on tax payable on a go forward basis for many individuals. As is always helpful as you approach year end, it is sensible to get organised by first making sure your accounting records are updated and accurate.

If you are self-employed, consider contributing to an individual qualified retirement plan, such as an individual 401(k), SEP IRA, SIMPLE plan, or UK pension plan, if you qualify. This can allow you to make contributions as an employee and employer based on your earnings which may result in higher deferral options.

Accelerating Payment Of UK Taxes

If you claim foreign tax credits on the paid basis, it is often necessary to accelerate your UK tax payments into the same calendar year as the income will be reported on your US tax return. This will ensure that the credit is available to offset the US tax that would otherwise be due.

This point is typically relevant to the following groups:

• Self-employed individuals

• Partners in partnerships

• Arising basis UK taxpayers

• Individuals who have large, one-off transactions such as a major capital gain.

It is important to look to the UK/US Double Income Tax Treaty to understand which country has the primary right to tax and which must give credit. For UK resident individuals, including US citizens, the UK is awarded that right on most investment income, other than US real estate income and some proportional element of US dividend income.

Summary

There are several key actions you can take before the end of 2018 to ensure you have a clear picture of where you stand financially. A call with your Wealth Manager and Tax Adviser will help ensure you are on track to meet your goals and help to identify areas in need of adjustment so your plan can evolve as your needs change. Take the time now to discuss those changing needs, to fully understand where you are and where you want to go.

Risk Warnings And Important Information

MASECO LLP (trading as MASECO Private Wealth and MASECO Institutional) is registered in England and Wales as a Limited Liability Partnership (Companies House No. OC337650) and has its registered office at Burleigh House, 357 Strand, London WC2R 0HS.

MASECO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK and is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor in the United States of America.

This article does not take into account the specific goals or requirements of individuals and is not intended to be, nor should be construed as, investment or tax advice. Information contained in this article is based on MASECO’s understanding of current tax law and legislation which is subject to change. MASECO Private Wealth is not a tax specialist. Your ability to benefit from any of the tax mitigation planning mentioned in this article will depend on your personal circumstances. The levels, and bases, of tax relief is subject to change. You should carefully consider the suitability of any strategies along with your financial situation prior to making any decisions on an appropriate strategy. We strongly recommend that every client seeks their own tax advice prior to acting on any of the tax mitigation opportunities described in this article.

Andrea Solana is Head of Advanced Planning at MASECO Private Wealth where she helps to provide financial planning and wealth structuring advisory services to US expatriates in the UK and British nationals in the US. Before joining MASECO, Andrea spent the first part of her career with a well-known Washington DC based international tax and global wealth management firm where she gained considerable experience advising high net worth individuals with multi-jurisdictional financial interests to design and implement strategies for tax-efficient and risk-managed asset growth. She has written numerous white papers regarding fundamental financial planning and investment strategies for US connected individuals and has previously been a speaker on financial planning topics at numerous places including both The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Andrea graduated from University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce with a degree in Finance and Management and completed her MBA at Imperial College London.

Visit www.masecoprivatewealth.com for further information.