UK/Singapore TAX question

[JR8]

IN any case, you will still have to do self-assessment for your property income (and you can't file online if you have overseas income without using 3rd party software, the HMRC website cannot accomodate it!).

Seems like HMRC have a motive to stop expats filing online. It is specifically the Non-Resident disclaimer (NRD) that they won't give you access to directly through the HMRC portal.

So as CG says for the sake of answering 3-4 questions on one form, out of a total of maybe 100+ you have to buy 3rd party software.

I use TaxCalc. It is about £25 a year, and it interfaces with the HMRC site allowing online filing. It's a fab thing. You can complete it as if completing the HMRC forms, or flick a switch to what they cal 'Simple steps' mode, i.e. all the questions written and explained in a human language. Use it for a couple of years and it pulls in prior years data for analysis (if you want), and has a What-if function so you can test scenarios inside your actual draft return.

Even if I was not compelled to have 3rd party software, I still think I'd pay for this product. It is so much simpler than going directly via HMRC to file. Plus I can offset the cost against income as well of course...

[mike21]

Anyone got any recommendations for a UK tax accountant here in singapore - I need to get my head around all this taxation treaty and non resident stuff.

Thanks
Mike

[JR8]

My former employer provided me with the services of their accountants (D&T) to do my tax returns. But if you're paying for it yourself a company like that may be prohibitive.

What kind of UK income do you have*?


* if you don't mind me asking. It is just that it is possible you don't need an accountant at all, but don't yet realise it!

[mike21]

My former employer provided me with the services of their accountants (D&T) to do my tax returns. But if you're paying for it yourself a company like that may be prohibitive.

What kind of UK income do you have*?


* if you don't mind me asking. It is just that it is possible you don't need an accountant at all, but don't yet realise it!

I work for a UK company (that is my contract of employment is with a UK company) I am paid in the UK but I live and work (some of the time) in Singapore. When not working in Singapore I am working in other countries but not the UK.

Thanks for the info

[JR8]

[
I work for a UK company (that is my contract of employment is with a UK company) I am paid in the UK but I live and work (some of the time) in Singapore. When not working in Singapore I am working in other countries but not the UK.

Thanks for the info

Ah, so it is pretty complex, paid in the UK but for services performed partially abroad. I suppose the question boils down to, what triggers becoming a tax-resident in Singapore?

Have you tried looking at the IRAS website?


p.s. Sorry I cannot be more helpful, but in such a case it is rather like a question of law, even a 90% correct answer is as worthless as one that is completely wrong.

[PrimroseHill]

I work for a UK company too and hired in UK but the contract clearly states that my work abode is in SG and paid in SGD. Prior to leaving I wrote to HMRC income tax department informing them that I will be leaving. I then wrote to HMRC, NI Dept informing them of the same thing but opted to continue paying for my NI class 2. With the advise from the estate agent, I wrote to HMRC again and was granted a non-residential tax status in terms of our rental in London.

I wasn't aware that UK Border Force has such a lax control. Saying that I have had friends and family members that were nearly caught by the 90days rule.

[mike21]

Thanks for the info Primrosehill, what is your UK tax status with that arrangement - looks like I will be offered something very similar as my company has asked that my stay be extended.

Thanks

Mike

[tbentley]

Guys, really useful.

Out of interest, does anyone know the outcome of this situation how you would be taxed...

You leave the UK January 1st 2014 and begin full time employment in Singapore. Let's say for some reason have to leave and you go back November let's say. So you have completed 187 days to be considered a tax resident in Singapore, yet you have not met the criteria in the UK to be considered a non-resident.

Ideally, I would presume you would pay the tax you owe to Singapore under the double taxation agreement - head back to the UK and declare to HMRC and then start paying tax on any other income your receive for that year.

Or does Double Taxation only count if you have worked abroad for a full tax year (April to April)

Would really appreciate some ideas/guidance as I would like to know just in case something was to happen here.

[aster]

Seems like HMRC have a motive to stop expats filing online.

This only applies to expats who are still generating income from the UK, right? Which in turn should apply to citizens of every country in the world, not just UK citizens, who are still making profit from the UK (from property lease for instance)?

[JR8]

Maybe you’d be considered as never having left the UK?
You’re part non-res in 2014/15. But 8 months in 15/16 (UK) might make you non-resident.

Did you send off the required form, when you left, ‘Departing from the UK’ to IR?
Singapore works in calendar tax-years. It also has a dual tax-treaty.
If you don’t complete a full year in SG, and pay tax, when you leave they claw-back via extrapolated FY tax – until/unless you then claim it back.

Can’t comment beyond that, and on the issue of DTT and ‘whole years’.



.... sounds like you need an international tax accountant!

[aster]

Did you send off the required form, when you left, ‘Departing from the UK’ to IR?

Is it true that this form only applies to those leaving the country to actually work abroad?