N1cky

I'll be moving back to the UK in a couple of months. Anyone know if it legal for me to work, as a contractor, for a US company while resident in the UK?

Thanks

steveq

If you're English, why not ?

Pulaski

So long as you pay income tax and NI in the UK, and are either a British citizen or hold a valid work visa, sure, it'll be no problem at all.

N1cky

Thanks. Thought as much, but wanted to check. It's a long shot that work will go for it, but wanted to make sure it was legal before I suggested it to them.

steveq

You'll have to file your own tax return in the UK, rather than PAYE, but its really not too bad to do - a lot simpler than the USA I think, by the accounts I've read here (pun not intended)

Hotscot

My business is based in the US but when I go home I'm going to employ myself from the UK.

RICH

Are you talking about continuing your job but working remotely?

I don't know the ins and outs, but you for tax purposes, at least, you have to be careful about what is a contractor and what is an employee. Shouldn't be a problem immigration -wise though.

Hotscot

You also have to be careful re. pensions/retirement plan.

N1cky

Thanks everyone, I'd pay the taxes and what not, that would be fine.

It would only be short term, until the end of the year maximum. Long term it wouldn't be feasible for the company, but I know they will try and help me out as best they can.

This way, it could mean that we're not returning to the UK with both of us out of work.

Hotscot

So..this is related to your other issue?

N1cky

Yes, things took an even worse turn today. See the Pissed Off thread for details

Hotscot

Sorry man...I can't believe this.

SultanOfSwing

Shouldn't be an issue, as others have said. You're a British citizen so you have the right to work in the UK. You'll effectively be self employed, hence the need to file your own taxes, as has been said.

The only limiting factor would be the willingness of the US employer, which doesn't appear to be an issue so you should be good to go.

It's a shame it had to get to that stage for you, of course. A better result would be if the US company would be able to sort out a visa for you. Is that not something they would be willing or able to do?

ubernathan

Unless the US company has a UK subsidiary, there's no legal entity to employ you to work here. When I've been in this situation, I had to be self employed (I'm a UK citizen, but the company had no UK legal entity).

ETA: Beware, as a self employed person, if your VATable income is greater than the VAT threshold, you'll have that hassle too. I got around it by having no vatable income -- all the income was for services exported to the US. My accountant had to write some documentation to that effect.