UK tax return?
Jun 1st 2018, 5:45 pm
#1
Forum Regular
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 279
UK tax return?
I currently reside in Saudi and am non-resident for UK tax purposes, so don't need to complete an annual tax form. If I now claim my UK state pension for a UK bank account, will I continue to avoid receiving the yearly UK tax return?
Jun 2nd 2018, 5:35 am
#2
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Joined: Mar 2013
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Posts: 454
Re: UK tax return?
Being non resident does not exempt you from filing a tax return. Not having income arising in the uk does.
Claiming a pension means you have income arising in the uk. However, as you are non resident this should not be taxed at source. I’m assuming you have documentation from HMRC stating they regard you as non resident otherwise they will deduct tax until you formalise your status.
If your pension income is sizable ie more than your personal allowance you may need to inform HMRC of this in lieu of filing a self assessment. You need to have them agree that you do not need to file though. They may require you to depending on your circumstances.
Note that your pension won’t be index linked if you claim it while in Saudi.
Claiming a pension means you have income arising in the uk. However, as you are non resident this should not be taxed at source. I’m assuming you have documentation from HMRC stating they regard you as non resident otherwise they will deduct tax until you formalise your status.
If your pension income is sizable ie more than your personal allowance you may need to inform HMRC of this in lieu of filing a self assessment. You need to have them agree that you do not need to file though. They may require you to depending on your circumstances.
Note that your pension won’t be index linked if you claim it while in Saudi.
Jun 2nd 2018, 12:46 pm
#3
peterparker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 196
Re: UK tax return?
If you are sent a UK tax form you need to fill it in.
Jun 3rd 2018, 11:19 am
#4
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Posts: 454
Re: UK tax return?
Not necessarily. Your circumstances could have changed in the last year and they could be automatically sending you a return that is not needed. Calling them to confirm is the best option if in doubt. But then if they say no I’d cover myself by. Following it up with a letter saying something like “as agreed in our recent phone call with [agent’s name] I will not need to file a return for [tax year]”
Jun 3rd 2018, 11:48 am
#5
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Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 1,160
Re: UK tax return?
Not necessarily. Your circumstances could have changed in the last year and they could be automatically sending you a return that is not needed. Calling them to confirm is the best option if in doubt. But then if they say no I’d cover myself by. Following it up with a letter saying something like “as agreed in our recent phone call with [agent’s name] I will not need to file a return for [tax year]”
Jun 3rd 2018, 11:52 am
#6
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 547
Re: UK tax return?
I've been through this several times. I've been in the Gulf for 7+ years, and get a small ex-military pension, and despite twice asking HMRC in writing if I could stop submitting tax returns, they still say I need to keep doing so (we don't even have property in the UK, or any other meaningful income). Last request was a few months ago, same response.
I make them send me a paper return, and just copy in the same details from a photocopy of the previous year's version updated as needed - takes 20 minutes, then gets posted when back in the UK on summer holidays. They usually end up giving me few pounds back in return for overpaid tax, but it is such a waste of their and my time for all that.
I make them send me a paper return, and just copy in the same details from a photocopy of the previous year's version updated as needed - takes 20 minutes, then gets posted when back in the UK on summer holidays. They usually end up giving me few pounds back in return for overpaid tax, but it is such a waste of their and my time for all that.
Jun 3rd 2018, 9:27 pm
#7
peterparker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 196
Re: UK tax return?
If living abroad the forms said ''how many days have you spent in UK?'' with all the other usual details etc. or some such - regardless of whether or not you had any UK sourced income or Capital Gains. They sent the forms out for six years then they asked -''Are you staying out of UK permanently?'' They then stopped sending the forms - if they were satisfied.
Jun 4th 2018, 8:14 am
#8
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Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,467
Re: UK tax return?
Tax.... whats that?
Jun 4th 2018, 5:48 pm
#9
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Joined: Mar 2013
Location: where I currently am
Posts: 454
Re: UK tax return?
It’s what you pay every time you buy something in Dubai.
