tusitala

I have worked for a small utility in Washington State for 17 years and plan to move back to Scotland soon

My company would like to have me work for them remotely for a limited period but are very nervous about having someone on the payroll in another country

I wondered if they could just continue to pay me as if nothing had changed with my pay deposited into my US bank account as now, with all state and federal deductions intact.

Since this is for a limited period, I really don't want to deal with other options like self employment etc.

Before you ask

I am a UK and US citizen so there are no issues about permission to work in either country

All federal deductions could continue unchanged, FICA, Social Security, Medicare etc.

Washington state has no income tax, other state deductions are minimal and can continue

I can pay UK PAYE if required

If I do this I will not be seeking employment in the UK (I was planning to retire)

I do not expect to try to claim any business expenses for working from my home

My employer may be willing to continue my employee medical coverage if necessary

Period could be from six months to two years

I may depart after the start of next year meaning I may have legally worked in the US during that tax year if that makes any difference

I am not looking to avoid anyone's taxes or do anything illegal or off the books, just help my employer out and make a few bucks towards retirement

Anyone have any opinions on this?

theOAP

If the work is done in the UK, then the primary taxing authority is HMRC. If you work as a US employee while in the UK, then the US employer will have significant responsibilities to adhere to UK employment standards. From your post, I would guess they would prefer not to do this.

Your option is to become a 'sole trader' (self employed) in the UK. However your situation is handled, you must pay any UK tax due to HMRC first. As a US citizen, you will also have to file a US tax return every year whether employed or retired. If you are self employed, then you may (age?) also be responsible for NIC payments as well. If you do not wish to become self employed and your employer does not wish to absorb UK employment laws, I'm afraid there are really no other choices (and stay legal).

Some discussions on this situation from others going through it:

https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=92253.0

https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=90836.0

https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=90729.0

And a discussion on sole trader status in the UK:

https://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=89710.0

holly_1948

If we are talking six months, an alternative is to not move to the UK but merely visit the UK.
Entering on your US passport and staying up to six months would suggest you were a visitor.
That sort of thing would not really be workable for any longer periods, the UKBA would suspect you were an American working in the UK if your six month visit was followed by another six month visit.

BritInParis

Immigration status and tax liability are not connected in that way; a US citizen who continues to work whilst visiting the UK would be breaking the law. In any case the OP is a British citizen whether he decides to show his US or British passport at the UK border. More than 183 days residence in the UK means that he will become liable for tax on his worldwide income.