Expat all my Life - whats my tax Position?

by **Nicholla** on Sat Jul 09, 2011 1:26 pm

Hi there,

I've been an expat all my Life. My parents moved abroad for work when i was a baby and rarely return! There position with the UK tax office is clear however i unsure of my own position. Ive never worked in the UK only in the UAE. I was there as a student for university only. I'm now living in Oman with my husband and daughter and would like to investigate my position with the UK tax authorities! Do u register with them? Do I let them know about me? Any suggestion or guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks -Nicholla

by **Peter D** on Sat Jul 09, 2011 4:53 pm

Do you have investments or property in the UK. It would appear you are non UK resident. Regards Peter

by **thehiker99** on Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:37 am

Nicholla

I can see no way that the UK authorities could even begin to say that your UK resident.
If you own property in the UK, (as per Peter D's question), there might be some liability to tax on rental income, if that is the case.
Quite frankly I would leave well alone, unless you actually go to the UK to live.

Oman.
I'm also in Oman. Nice place. Though I spend most of my life in the desert miles from anywhere!.

The Hiker.

by **Nicholla** on Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:58 am

Thank you Peter D and the Hiker99

I don't own property in the UK! I only own property in Dubai!

Would it not be in my interest to be intouch with the tax body and let them know about me? Some form of security so that in the event we ever return to the UK we are not seen as 'where have you been all this time?'. :?:

Oman - yep its nice! cant wait for my holidays not though!

thanks

Nicholla

by **maths** on Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:10 pm

There is little point in contacting HMRC at this point in time.

You are not resident in the UK and receive no UK source income and thus all they would do is log your personal details.

They would not confirm your residence or domicile status; this is something you have to determine as and when you file a tax return.

Much better to "keep your powder dry" for now; this way you retain maximum flexibility for the future.

thehiker99

What, if i may ask, are you doing in the desert?

Why are you bothering with boring tax issues?

I'm bemused !!!

by **thehiker99** on Fri Aug 12, 2011 6:54 am

Maths

Oil and gas exploration.
I spend 6 onths a year, (in month by month roatations) in a camp in the desert, and the other 6 months off. Off course I spend only 3 months at home in the UK, and 3 months on various extended trips/holidays.

I've been doing it for nearly 30 years now, and the tax side of the Expat life I suppose has become a bit of a hobby, that's why I wtach and comment on the forum.
I hope to hlep other people, not to make the mistakes I made in the early years.

The Hiker99