UK expat taxes can be challenging to navigate, as tax obligations change depending on their residency status, income sources, and foreign financial interests.
The UK tax system applies different rules for residents and non-residents, impacting income tax, capital gains tax (CGT), pension taxation, and inheritance tax (IHT).
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Understanding UK expat tax obligations is essential for expats to avoid unexpected liabilities and ensure compliance with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) regulations.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of UK expat tax laws, residency rules, and tax-efficient strategies.
UK Expat Taxes: Tax Residency Rules
Do UK expats pay taxes back to the UK even if they live abroad? It depends on residency.
The UK tax system classifies individuals as either tax residents or non-residents, and this status directly impacts their income tax liability and reporting obligations.
Residency is determined by the Statutory Residence Test (SRT), which assesses factors such as time spent in the UK, employment ties, and family connections.
Statutory Residence Test (SRT) – How UK Tax Residency is Determined
The Statutory Residence Test (SRT) is the primary tool used to assess UK tax residency. It consists of three main parts:
- Automatic UK Tax Residency Triggers:
- You spent 183 days or more in the UK during a tax year.
- You have a permanent home in the UK and were present for at least 30 days in a tax year.
- You worked full-time in the UK for more than 365 days without significant breaks.
- Automatic Overseas Test (Non-Resident Criteria):
- You spent fewer than 16 days in the UK (or 46 days if you were not a UK resident in the previous three years).
- You worked full-time abroad for an entire tax year and spent fewer than 91 days in the UK, with no more than 30 days working in the UK.
- Sufficient Ties Test (If You Do Not Meet Automatic Criteria):
If you do not meet the automatic tests, the number of ties to the UK will determine residency status:- Family ties (spouse/children living in the UK).
- Work ties (more than 40 workdays in the UK).
- Accommodation ties (available home in the UK).
- 90-day tie (spent 90+ days in the UK in any of the last two years).
The more ties an individual has, the fewer days they can spend in the UK before being classified as a UK tax resident.
Split-Year Treatment
If an expat moves to or from the UK during a tax year, they may qualify for split-year treatment, meaning they are considered a resident for only part of the tax year.
This prevents them from being taxed on worldwide income for the full tax year and be taxed only on the time they spend as a resident in the UK.
Split-year treatment applies in cases such as:
- Moving abroad permanently for full-time work.
- Returning to the UK after living abroad for several years.
- Moving to the UK to join family or buy a home.
HMRC applies specific conditions to qualify for split-year treatment, and expats must ensure they meet all eligibility requirements to avoid being taxed as a full-year resident.
UK Tax Rules for UK Residents vs. Non-Residents
For UK Tax Residents
- Must declare worldwide income (salary, pensions, rental income, dividends, and capital gains).
- Subject to UK income tax rates:
- 0% on income up to £12,570 (personal allowance).
- 20% on income from £12,571 to £50,270.
- 40% on income from £50,271 to £125,140.
- 45% on income above £125,140.
- Liable for capital gains tax (CGT) on global asset sales. (more information about CGT below)
For UK Non-Residents
- Only taxed on UK-sourced income (e.g., UK rental income, dividends, and UK pensions).
- Not required to pay UK tax on foreign salary, business profits, or investments abroad.
- Capital gains tax (CGT) applies only to UK property sales, not overseas assets. (more information about CGT below)
Domicile Status
This section will talk about a system that will be abolished in April 2025. Domicile status affects an expat’s exposure to inheritance tax (IHT) and foreign income taxation.
UK domiciled expats are liable for a UK inheritance tax (40%) on worldwide assets, and subject to UK tax on foreign income unless using the remittance basis.
Non-domiciled expats meanwhile are only taxed on UK income unless they remit foreign income to the UK. They may also avoid UK inheritance tax on overseas assets if they maintain a non-UK domicile.
Expats can be deemed domiciled in the UK if they have lived in the UK for 15 out of the last 20 years, making them liable for IHT on global assets.
What is the Remittance Basis for non-domiciled expats?
Non-domiciled UK residents (non-doms) have the option to use the remittance basis, meaning they only pay UK tax on foreign income brought into the UK.
This allows high-net-worth expats to shield offshore earnings from UK taxation. However, after living in the UK for 15 out of the last 20 years, individuals are deemed domiciled and must pay tax on worldwide income.
UK Non Dom Rule Changes (April 2025)
The UK’s non-dom regime will be abolished in April 2025, and will be replaced by a residence-based system. New arrivals to the UK from April will only get four years of tax-free treatment on foreign income.
After that period, if they continued to live in the UK, they would have to pay taxes as their domiciled counterparts.
IHT on worldwide assets will also be based on tax residency from April 2025. This means long-term UK residents, regardless of their original domicile, will be liable for IHT on their global estate.
UK Expat Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) applies to the sale of property, investments, and other assets, with different rules for UK residents and non-residents.
You pay a different rate of tax on gains from residential property than you do on other assets.
CGT for UK Residents
As of 2024, CGT rates for UK residents are:
- 18% on your gains (made from 30 October 2024) if you pay basic rate income tax
- 24% on gains from residential property if you pay higher rate income tax
- 28% on gains from ‘carried interest’ if you manage an investment fund, when you pay higher rate income tax
- 24% on your gains (made from 30 October 2024) from other chargeable assets if you pay higher rate income tax.
A CGT annual exemption applies (£3,000 as of 2024 to 2025), meaning only gains above this amount are taxed.
CGT for UK Non-Residents
Non-residents are only liable for CGT on:
- UK residential and commercial property or land sales.
- UK-based business assets in certain cases. For example, gains from UK company shares are not subject to CGT unless the expats return to the UK in five years after leaving.
- Shares in UK property-rich (75%+) companies (if holding more than 25%).
Non-residents are exempt from CGT on foreign investments, meaning they do not need to report capital gains from assets located outside the UK.
Private Residence Relief for Expats
UK tax law allows CGT relief for main residences, but this only applies if the seller has lived in the property as their main home for all the time he/she has owned it.
The property could be rented out for investment purposes, but the exemption will apply on a pro-rata basis as only part of the ownership period was as a main residence.
Expats selling UK homes should plan carefully, as losing private residence relief can lead to a significant CGT liability. It is recommended to speak to a tax advisor for more guidance.
CGT Reporting and Payment Deadlines
Expats selling UK property must report the gain and pay CGT within 60 days of sale completion. For other assets, CGT is declared through Self-Assessment tax returns.
UK expats should review CGT liabilities before selling UK assets, especially if they plan to return to the UK, as residency changes can impact tax treatment.
UK rental income is always taxable in the UK, but tax rates and reporting obligations vary depending on residency status.
Non-Resident Landlord Scheme (NRLS)
Non-resident landlords must register under the Non-Resident Landlord Scheme (NRLS) to receive rental income without automatic tax deductions. Without NRLS registration:
- Letting agents or tenants must withhold 20% tax from rental income and pay it to HMRC.
- Landlords must file a Self-Assessment tax return to reclaim excess tax paid.
- If registered under NRLS, expats can receive full rental income and declare taxes via Self-Assessment instead.
Allowable Deductions for Rental Property Owners
Expats can reduce taxable rental income by claiming:
- Mortgage interest relief (restricted to basic rate relief).
- Property management fees and agent commissions.
- Repairs and maintenance costs (excluding major capital improvements).
- Council tax, insurance, and service charges.
- Depreciation on fixtures and fittings (via Replacement Domestic Items Relief).
Double Taxation Relief for Rental Income
If an expat pays foreign tax on UK rental income, they may claim tax credits under a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) to offset UK tax liability.
However, UK rental income must always be reported to HMRC, even if it is also taxed abroad.
UK Expat Inheritance Tax (IHT)
As mentioned, before April 2025, UK inheritance tax (IHT) applies to worldwide assets if an expat is domiciled in the UK, even if they have lived abroad for many years.
From April 2025, IHT will apply based on long-term UK residency (10+ years in the past 15 years), replacing the domicile-based system.
IHT Planning Strategies for UK Expats
- Gifting assets – Gifts made seven years before death are tax-free under the seven-year rule.
- Trust structures – Offshore trusts may help reduce IHT liability, but strict HMRC rules apply.
- Using IHT allowances – Expats can use the £175,000 residence nil-rate band (RNRB) when passing property to direct descendants.
Expats with significant assets should seek cross-border estate planning advice to minimize IHT exposure and ensure their estate is distributed tax-efficiently.
It is always recommended to consult with an expat financial advisor for more accurate, personalized guidance.
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