uk-guy-in-dubai

In April I will have completed 3 full UK tax years in Dubai, in full employment, with an average of 40 days visits each year to the UK.

My UK accountant says that is not enough to be able to return to the UK. If I return before 5 full tax years I will be taxed on everything I earnt out here!!!!

There must be thousands of guys like me in Dubai.

I would really like to hear from anybody that works for big companies in Dubai, to see what your personnel people are saying to you. Has anybody else hit this brick wall?

Is 3 years really not enough?

Blue Cat

I am no expert but I thought you could return any time? most people try to return at the beginning of the tax year though

lionheart

Meow will sort you out. My understanding is that you need 5 years to be completely tax free but I may be wrong.

uk-guy-in-dubai

Blue Cat; that used to be the case but HMRC are squeezing every penny, so I'm told you have to do 5 full tax years away else you will be taxed on your worldwide income, irrespective if it was earnt outside the uk.


Lionheart; can you give me the contact details and I'll make contact.

Thanks.

Meow

Oh dear. Your accountant is wrong. Most UK accountants are not very familiar with the rules relating to expats/non-residency as they rarely deal with such issues.

The magic five years relates to capital gains. For the three full tax years you will have no liability to UK income tax provided this was all overseas earnings, as you have spent little time in the UK. You could potentially have a tax liability for partial years either side, but that will depend on actual dates of departure and return.

uk-guy-in-dubai

Thank you Meow. Can you pm me your contact details as would like to meet and discuss. I must say I find the HMRC6 document horribly complicated so your guidance would be extremely helpful.

Meow

You can't PM until you have made five posts, but you can find my contact details, and further info, on my blog/website - see link below.

Edit - seem I was wrong as I should be able to PM you, but as I try and send I keep getting the usual server error message. Something wrong with the site as no issues anywhere else...

The Dean

Aha.......... the old 'ask-Meow-for-advice-then-arrange-to-meet-her-ostensibly-to-discuss-your-personal-tax-liability-but-in-fact-you-want-to-get-her-knickers-off' trick........... that old chestnut..........

Blue Cat

what knickers ....

Meow

*gasps*

Outrgageous. I am the very model of professionalism. I can't help it if my dulcet tones droning on about tax and pensions does things to some people...


BC - you're dead.

Avarice

Hi mate, I can definatley offer you some help on this. Call me on 0552545112 As far as im aware you will NOT be taxed on your earnings simply because you have only been here three years however my company specializes in offering ways around these kinds of problems.

The Dean

You may find this website helpful:

www.dontinvademeowsterritory.com

Meow

Thanks, but not required. I hardly think a post like his is going to sound reassuring to anyone wanting serious advice. Does he work for VD?? *shudder* If so they wouldn't know about tax issues if they jumped up and slapped them in the face....