This page will focus mainly on two things:
- offshore investments for UK expats
- tax on offshore investments for UK expats
In addition to considering aspects like fees and available investment options, UK expats can benefit from offshore investment through tax breaks, risk mitigation, and access to foreign markets.
If you are looking to invest as an expat or high-net-worth individual, which is what I specialize in, you can email me (advice@adamfayed.com) or WhatsApp (+44-7393-450-837).
You can make sure your offshore assets are in line with your finance targets by speaking with a financial advisor who specializes in expat investing.
Note that any tax discussion here isn’t formal tax advice.
Offshore Investments for UK Expats
Offshore Investment Bonds
For British expats, offshore bonds have many advantages. They benefit those who are not residents or domiciled in the UK by allowing tax deferral on investment growth until withdrawals are made.
If offshore bonds are held for at least five full tax years and released while a non-UK resident, withdrawals from them may be treated as tax-deferred income and may even be exempt from UK income tax.
These bonds provide for portfolio diversification and possibly higher returns by providing investing flexibility among a broad asset class, including property, fixed income, and stocks.
Flexible investment methods are made possible by the bond structure’s ability to allow investors to swap between investments without incurring immediate tax effects.
By keeping assets outside of the investor’s home nation, protecting them from lawsuits and creditors, and granting privacy and secrecy in financial affairs while adhering to reporting regulations, offshore bonds also offer improved asset protection.
They also facilitate currency diversification, which is important for UK expats with incomes in currencies other than GBP since it helps mitigate currency risk and capitalize on exchange rate movements.
Reliable income and stability can be added to a British expat’s portfolio by holding investment-grade bonds offshore.
Other Offshore Investment Opportunities
For UK expats, offshore collective investment funds with corporate bond underlying investments are typically more tax-efficient. However, an onshore fund may be more appropriate for UK expats investing in equity funds.
Offshore managed Single and Multiple Portfolio Investment Funds can offer a diversified exposure to global markets, and offshore banking can offer competitive interest rates on High Yielding Interest Accounts.
Customized investment strategies with possible advantages not found in domestic assets can also be obtained through other structured investment products.
Depending on the investment providers and country, one could access these products through an offshore investing platform or hold them within an offshore investment bond.
Tax on Offshore Investments for UK Expats
Onshore and offshore cash deposits are eligible for interest payments without having tax withheld at the source as of April 2016.
Deposits in cash are not subject to capital gains tax. There are no special rules regarding cash deposits for expats with UK domiciles in terms of inheritance tax.
Taxes on investment income are normally not due by non-UK residents unless they are withheld at the source. On the other hand, dividend income received from the UK may be subject to a non-recoverable withholding tax on offshore funds.
While the assets are being managed, investments made by UK expats in offshore funds are typically tax-free. Tax obligations only surface upon the sale of the fund. The sale and acquisition must occur when you are a non-resident of the UK in order for there to be no UK CGT obligation.
Nonetheless, you might be required to pay tax on gains on assets you possessed prior to departing the UK if you were a resident of the UK for at least four of the previous seven years and were non-resident for fewer than five tax years.
Although gains from assets acquired overseas are often free from UK tax, keep in mind that other countries may have different tax laws.
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