Leaving the UK for ...
 

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Leaving the UK for more than a year....

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Hi all,

Random question, but if you leave the UK for more than a year, it's recently come to my attention that you're supposed to tell the Government? Does anyone actually do this?

I've spent quite long periods travelling/studying and sometimes working abroad, but never said anything to anyone. Does anyone actually do this and are there in theory consequences if you don't?

Cheers!

FM


 
Posted : 01/10/2023 1:57 pm
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Says who?


 
Posted : 01/10/2023 3:22 pm
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Possible residency issues for tax/NI/pension issues, but not sure what other issues there would be.


 
Posted : 01/10/2023 3:35 pm
leffeboy reacted
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Or if the person only has "permanent" residency in which case if they are away for more than 2 years their clock will be reset and their indefinite leave to remain will be jeopardised.

If you stay outside the UK for more than 2 years
You’ll lose your indefinite leave to remain if you stay outside the UK for more than 2 years at a time.You’ll need to apply for a Returning Resident visa before you can return to the UK.


 
Posted : 01/10/2023 3:45 pm
 mert
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Nothing happens if you wait several years then realise you could claim 5 or 6 grand worth of taxes back and apply about 2 weeks before the deadline.

(Think it used to be 6 years, looks like it's 4 now.)


 
Posted : 01/10/2023 3:45 pm
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I think you are UK tax-free for that year so no tax is paid to the UK... assuming your wage is paid in the country you are located in and paying whatever taxes there then it could be a nice way to get some 'free' cash...assuming you pay less tax in the other country.


 
Posted : 01/10/2023 3:47 pm
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Yes did this when I left UK to Australia for 2 years to ensure my tax was straight with both countries. But I moved residence so it was very clear cut and I got the tax breaks in both countries meaning I wasn't out of pocket when moving my pension back. (there is no pension agreement with Australia so their tax is taken back, you get a cash pot, move it and get the tax break here when you add it to your UK sipp).

If you stayed resident in the UK but did odd jobs outside the UK then you may owe tax, if you moved out of the UK for long periods (more than 183 days in one financial year) you may be owed UK tax back for the part-year. "It depends".

https://www.gov.uk/tax-foreign-income/residence#:~:text=Your%20UK%20residence%20status%20affects,from%20the%20UK%20or%20abroad.

https://www.gov.uk/undeclared-income#:~:text=Overseas%20income,double%20the%20tax%20you%20owe

As said by others it would also be important if you aren't British citizen.


 
Posted : 02/10/2023 8:02 am
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If it's temporary, make sure your NI contributions will/still add up to 35 years (obv I don't know how old/young you are). You might want to make it up if not at just under £800 p/a IIRC.

Oh aye, after 365 days out of the asylum, look at getting any part years affected tax back.


 
Posted : 02/10/2023 9:26 am
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My NI contributions are all over the place - instead of investing (I'm almost 40 now and panicking!) into a LISA etc., would it be better paying off my NI? I guess I'll come back to the UK sooner rather than later to get a "proper" job. I don't even know how many years I've paid.


 
Posted : 02/10/2023 1:47 pm
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At risk of derailing the initial question, making up a year's NI is about £790 and, IIRC, each extra year results in an uplift of £5.80 in State pension per week. So full payback in 2.6 years. If you think you'll make 35 years of NI contributions before retirement, there's no point making up 'missing' years. If you won't, where else can you get 2.6 years payback? Assuming you stay alive to enjoy the benefits... (sorry, bit glum I know...).


 
Posted : 02/10/2023 5:33 pm
leffeboy reacted
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Well as far as I know, I've been missing off anything other than council tax & prescriptions for nearly 18 months, no tax or NI paid but conversely nothing claimed?

Probably need to check in?


 
Posted : 03/10/2023 9:31 pm

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