For many people, starting a new life overseas seems like an exciting prospect, but understanding the tax implications in both the UK and the destination country is an essential part of the planning process that must not be overlooked, according to accounting and business advisory firm Saffery.

Chris Luckett, who is a tax partner in the firm’s Leeds office, said: “Whether it is for sunnier weather, a more relaxed lifestyle, or simply a fresh start, emigration remains a popular aspiration. For others, including business owners and high-net worth individuals, tax is often a significant factor in their decision, particularly given the substantial changes to UK tax rules in recent years.

“However, moving abroad is rarely straightforward, and it’s vitally important that people understand how the move will affect their UK tax position. A common misconception is that leaving the country automatically means leaving the UK tax system behind. In reality, whether a person remains liable to UK tax, often depends on a complex set of rules known as the Statutory Residence Test (SRT).

“The SRT was introduced to provide greater certainty around an individual's UK tax residence status. At a high level, the framework appears relatively straightforward. It is applied in three stages: the automatic overseas tests, the automatic UK tests and, if neither provides a clear answer, the sufficient ties test.

“The automatic overseas tests can establish that an individual is not a UK resident for a tax year. Often this depends on how many days they spend in the UK and whether they have been a UK resident in recent years. There is also a test for individuals who leave the UK to work full-time overseas, provided their visits and workdays in the UK remain within strict limits.”

Chris continued: “If none of the automatic overseas tests are met, attention turns to the automatic UK tests. The most widely recognised is the 183-day rule, under which someone spending 183 days or more in the UK during a tax year will generally be a UK tax resident. However, UK residence can also arise through having a UK home which is both used and available under certain conditions; or by working full-time in the UK over a qualifying period.

“Where neither set of automatic tests produces a definitive answer, the sufficient ties test comes into play. This requires individuals to assess their connections to the UK and compare those ties with the number of days they spend here.

“The ties themselves can be surprisingly wide-ranging. They include family members who are UK residents, accommodation available for use in the UK, working in the UK, previous time spent in the country and, in some circumstances, whether the UK is the country where the individual spends the greatest number of days.”

Chris added: “This is where the apparent simplicity of the rules begins to disappear. Questions such as what constitutes a ‘home’, when accommodation is considered available, how working days are counted and which travel days qualify as UK days can all become highly technical. Special provisions also apply in areas such as exceptional circumstances, split-year treatment and full-time overseas working arrangements.

“The challenge is compounded by the fact that UK tax residence status is self-assessed and needs to be done for each tax year that an individual claims to be non-UK resident. Individuals are expected to determine their own position and maintain records that support their conclusions. This may include travel documentation, work diaries and evidence relating to property occupation. It is also worth noting that individuals intending to leave the UK will need to consider the relevant tax rules and reporting requirements in the jurisdiction where they are moving.”

Finally, Chris said: “In my experience, many people considering a move overseas focus on the lifestyle opportunities and underestimate the tax implications. The SRT can provide welcome clarity, but only when its detailed rules are applied correctly. Given the complexity involved and the significant financial consequences that can arise from getting it wrong, professional advice should be sought before making any major decisions.

“A successful move abroad requires careful planning. Understanding your UK tax residence status should be one of the first items on the checklist, not an afterthought once the boxes are packed.”