smallpiff

Hi there,

It's been a while since I worked in the region.
I'm considering a short stint back in the gulf (say 2 years), encompassing at least one full UK tax year away.
With wife, kids and housing in the UK, would that be enough to pass the non-resident test?
I'd hope to visit the UK approx 4 weeks per year.

with regards

Millhouse

Probably

smallpiff

As I thought, noted the caveat - no certainties.

Millhouse

I'm actually very confident for you, but someone will always pop up and talk about split-years, days and ties. The rules are really clear if you go through them on the HMRC website.

The reality though, is that international moving is really expensive and set-up costs and demobilisation costs are high. I personally wouldn't only come for an 18-24 month gig unless it was really worth it and someone was paying all these costs. Remember to factor in out-of-work time in the UK on your return etc.

smallpiff

Thanks and agreed that setup can be a bind. Ways to mitigate that though, considering single status. Work beyond the contract would hopefully be optional.

Johnnyboy11

Have a look at this flowchart. You want to be able to tick the third box down "Leave UK to work full-time overseas, present in UK < 91 days and < 31 days spent working in UK", then you can ignore the rest. It will also allow you to split the year you leave the UK and also the year that you return (subject to conditions).

TopNik

Hi smallpiff,

There are eight different cases for split year treatment of which you must meet the criteria of at least one of them in order to be eligible for split year treatment.

Split year treatment also has residence conditions for the full tax year after your departure from the UK and for the full tax year after your return to the UK. If you do not satisfy these residence conditions split year treatment previously granted will be removed.

It may appear simple on the surface but the area of residence is complex, if you have any concerns you should seek professional advice.