Armed Forces working abroad and self assessment

[druidfluid]

Hi,
I am in the amed forces and working abroad, i am paying alll the usual paye tax in the UK but while i am abroad i have to rent out our house in the UK to cover the mortgage. As both my wife and i are on the land registry and mortgage we split the income 50/50, this applies to our outgoings for self assessment tax purposes.
My question is, We are only renting our house due to me being posted abroad, when i fill out my self assessment, can i claim the rent i have to pay for my married quarter accomodation approx £206 per month against my income from our house rented in the UK. In box 17 of the employment page of the self assessment you can claim back expenses due to your job/business,(ref is EIM31816 Travel expenses: general: accommodation and subsistence: subsistence costs). Although my job is not linked to my house, i would not have to rent my house in the UK if i wasn't posted abroad. Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.
druidfluid

[pawncob]

It was your choice to join the services. No you can't claim for the rent.

If you didn't own a house, would you still want to claim for the rent?

[Peter D]

No you can not. The good news is that during your service abroad you are exempt from CGT on your previuos UK property as it is regared as your PPR for all the time your are abent. Regards Peter

[druidfluid]

Many Thanks Pawncob & Peter, thought so. Just didn't want to give the taxman too much but also wanted to stay within the rules & regs.

druidfluid