James Murray

James started out as a one of Frank Hirth’s first graduates back in 2002. He quickly progressed to associate director creating the Privately Owned Business team before leaving in 2014 to lead and grow the US private client practice at EY in London. James returned to join the Board at Frank Hirth in 2017.

James has a background in advising high net worth individuals with complex US and UK tax affairs. During his first stint with Frank Hirth he spent many years advising clients with non-US business interests and navigating the exposure to the Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) and Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) legislation, along with use of ‘Check the Box’ elections and advising on the appropriate US tax filing options. 

He has since spent greater time working with individuals in the financial services sector and in particular those in the fund manager space, including advising those impacted by the changes made to the carried interest legislation in the UK and the subsequent US/UK tax interactions. Assisting those US taxpayers or ‘accidental Americans’ that have not met their historic US tax filing obligations has been an area of focus although most recently James has spent much time advising clients on the global tax impact upon them becoming deemed domicile in the UK.

Known for translating complex tax technical concepts into easy to understand language whilst maintaining the integrity of the legislation enables James to provide comfort and assurance to his clients along with the relevant insight and exceptional client service.

James is the recipient of the eprivate client 35 Under 35, 2015 and Spear's 500 Top Recommended 2019 awards.

James is a qualified Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and US Enrolled Agent (EA).