expat network

Should I Bank Offshore?

I want to set up an offshore bank account as I have been an expat for many years and have been told this would be a good place to keep my savings.  Can you help? Stuart Ritchie, Chartered Financial Planner & Chartered Wealth Manager with expat financial advisers AES International, answered this question. I believe...

Puzzles Over Expat Pension

I am unsure if my overseas pension (QROPS) is free from UK inheritance tax? It seems the case if you remain offshore, but is a bit grey if you come back to the UK – even after five years away. Stuart Ritchie, Chartered Financial Planner & Chartered Wealth Manager with expat financial advisers AES International,...

UK Tax On Guernsey Portfolio?

I have a query regarding my tax situation. I am British and have been working in Austria for the past 18 months or so. I have quite a large sum invested through an asset manager in Guernsey – in investment trusts, exchange traded funds, real estate investment trusts etc. Could you possibly tell me if...

Can I Send Money Back To The UK Untaxed?

Am I right in thinking that, as long as fewer than 90 days is spent in the UK in a tax year, then overseas earnings may be repatriated to the UK without attracting UK tax? Am I also right that these repatriated earnings may NOT be used for investment in individual savings accounts (ISAs)? Adam...

Do Holidays Count Towards Residence?

Someone who looks after my affairs has told me that days on holiday overseas are not classed as working, so these days are counted as being in the UK. This means I can spend much less time back in the UK if I want to remain non-resident. Is this correct? Adam Thompson, tax manager of...

tax savvy

I Want To Be UK Tax Resident

In February 2015 I received my UK residence permit.  I am married to a UK resident and now live in the UK.  I own a holding company based in Canada from which I earn dividends. I have not received any dividend income since arriving in the UK and I have filed my 2014 return with...

Contractor Or Company?

I have (I think uniquely) been paid like an employee by my company as I travel between international assignments. They say they can no longer do this. Can I remain UK non-resident and would it be better to bill them directly as a contractor or set up a UK company to manage my finances? Adam...

Musician Wants To Change His Tax Tune

We specialise in business management for international recording acts etc. We recently had a question from a UK citizen relocating to Canada as a permanent resident. Can he sever his UK residency and file taxes in Canada until his return? “In short, it is possible for your client to sever their UK tax residency,” says...

Can I Receive A State Pension From The UK?

Being British and having lived in Germany for the past 20 years I am a bit out of touch with the British pension system. Next year I will be retiring and I would like to know if I can receive a state pension from the UK. Adam Thompson, tax manager of expat financial advisers The...

Pensions And Property Investment For An Expat

I am planning to move back to New Zealand some time in the future, having been in the UK already for 15 years. I am self-employed and have no pension plan or property, so I reckon I need to get these in place with a view to taking a rental income from the UK property...

Paying Off A UK Mortgage From Abroad

My son and I are both UK non-residents. It is possible that he might return to the UK after some years. I will not return. My son bought a flat in UK and has asked me to pay the remaining mortgage on it. The flat is rented out and is not his/my home. What are the...

Taxed On UK Mortgage Payments From Abroad?

I am planning to work in Qatar but want to carry on paying my UK mortgage and sending money to my family. Will this be subject to UK taxation? You should be in the clear as far as UK tax is concerned. Dean Power of The Fry Group says that the amount you send back...