Tax When Leaving the UK

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Tax When Leaving the UK
For most people who are emigrating, finalising official business such as tax and National Insurance contributions can be an extra unwelcome headache. The good news is that the majority of individuals will have a fairly painless process that involves simply filling out a few forms. For those out there who don't leave everything to their accountant to deal with, figuring out the stages involved in sorting out your tax when leaving the UK can save plenty of time and hassle when you do eventually land in your new country of residence.

Informing the Correct Authorities

A very common question many people have when moving abroad is whether they should inform the correct Government authorities. Many simply leave the country, never letting their local tax office know they've gone. The reasons behind this vary for each individual, but generally in order to tie up any loose ends and keep things official, it's better to inform the relevant people you've become a non-resident of the UK. The benefits of declaring your move abroad range from simply eradicating future personal mail being sent to your previous address, to perhaps obtaining a sizeable tax rebate.

Form P85 for Those Leaving the UK

For the majority of people, the main form that you must fill in is form P85. This form will allow you to obtain any tax refund you're owed and to work out if you'll become non-resident, thus becoming free from further tax returns. You can obtain this form from your local tax office, or it's available to download online from the HRMC website. It isn't difficult to fill the form in, so you shouldn't require the services of an accountant to do so. You will also need to provide your P45 along with the form and a date of departure from the UK.

Sending Your Information

Once you have completed the P85 form that explains you're leaving the UK, send the form back to your original tax office that usually deals with your enquiries. If you aren't sure who previously dealt with this, have a look at your P45 or P60 under the PAYE reference field. This will provide you with 3 digits that correlate with your tax office number. You can then simply enter the number online at the HRMC website and it will provide you with the full address. It's best to start this process around 3 months before you emigrate. This allows for any possible complications to be sorted out whilst you're still in the UK.

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Becoming a Non-Resident for UK Tax Purposes

When you leave the UK to move abroad, you'll be considered a non-resident from the day after you leave. In order to prove this, you must be able to show that you left the UK to stay abroad permanently, or that your working year and absence lasts at least an entire tax year abroad. You also can be considered non-resident if your UK visits are less than 183 days in a tax year and average less than 91 days a tax year over four consecutive years. If you're in doubt about this, a tax advisor will be able to help further.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Self-Employment and Emigration

If you're self-employed in the UK, tax matters can be slightly more complicated when you're leaving for good. You will still need to fill in form P85, but you may be required to continue to fill in self-assessment tax returns for a period of time whilst in your new home abroad. This will depend on when you ceased business in the UK, or whether you're still trading. You must also let your local tax office know that you've left the country so they can remove you from their system. If you don't, you may find yourself incurring the £100 fine for not returning your self-assessment form in due time.

Obtaining Your Tax Rebate

Many people who emigrate and fill in form P85 are pleasantly surprised to find that they receive a tax rebate. As monthly PAYE tax is based on an estimate of the tax due on your salary for a full 12 months, if you leave before then, you may have overpaid. You will then receive a tax rebate that can be paid directly into your account or sent to you via cheque. The amount due will differ dependent on your salary, the number of months left in the tax year and other aspects.

UK Tax and Other Countries

Each individual country will inform you of the new tax rules you will follow whilst there. Many have a Double Taxation (DT) treaty with the UK that means you won't have to pay tax in both countries if you have income from one and reside in another. If in any doubt, check with your local tax office as getting it organised can alleviate unnecessary stress. As mentioned previously, form P85 is the most important piece of paper you'll need to obtain before leaving the UK for good and enjoying your new life abroad.

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Ask Emigration Expert a Question
Boliveira 29/06/2021 at 3:32 pm
Dear all,

I left the uk in August, meaning around the middle of the tax year of 2018. My doubts are if I will receive a refund only for the months from April to August of 2018 considering that the tax year starts in April or I can ask for a tax refund for 2017 since in this year I have worked in the uk for the whole year? Thank you for your help.
DBL 29/11/2018 at 8:19 pm
Hi everyone!

If some person have unpaid council tax and fines, what problems he might have?
And what problems he might have if he don't live in UK?
Bob 20/02/2018 at 4:24 am
I am trying to tidy-up my tax affairs having moved permanently to USA in Feb 2016. If I now submit a P85 can I enter Feb 2016 as my date of departures so I meet the third automatic overseas test from that date? Can I claim back all PAYE tax paid in the UK during period from Feb 2016 and declare my income in the same period to the IRS so that I am taxed on it there?
Nid 29/09/2017 at 7:13 pm
Hey im leaving uk really soon and i apply for tax refund. I just want to know if im going to get pay for the years ive been here (9 years) always working part time.
Its been like 4 week that i made the application and sent by post. Help please
JIJI 11/09/2017 at 4:04 am
Hi. I claimed the tax refund after leaving the uk and its been about 2 months and half but i still havent got any reply from the gov.uk even though i have a reference code. i thought it comes to my bank account directly after claiming a tax refund. people around me usally took about 2 weeks or 4 weeks to have their tax. i wonder how i can have my tax refund...since i paid too much tax, i am quite desperate to have mine back..please help me. Thank you in advance..
Edinho 06/09/2017 at 1:15 am
I left the UK for good on 1 of September . I send my p85 with part 2 and 3 of p45
How long to get the tax return after I left UK
I move back to Brazil
Jojo 20/06/2017 at 8:46 am
Hi I have a question can anybody tell if I Am leaving U.K for good do I get my taxes back for all years or just for last year with this for p85.Thanks
Maximax 18/04/2017 at 11:07 pm
Hi,

I have left the UK in December 2016 (EU citizen) and claimed taxes (P85) and due unforeseen circumstances I would like to go back to UK in May. Do you think that it is possible to go back? Do i have to request a new NI number? What i have to do? Thanks.
Fredoche 30/03/2017 at 5:12 pm
Leaving the UK in a week , called 2 weeks ago to have a P85 form and nowhere or no one ever mentioned the process takes 3 months. The form is also asking about the job I'll do : ain't got none for the moment as I'll live at my mum's and then start looking for work. I'm French citizen moving back to France to stay.
What will happen to my taxes if I can't answer the questions regarding the job I'll have in France?
And if it takes 3 months? I'll be long gone!
Redeemed 18/03/2017 at 4:14 am
I have been living and working in the UK for the past 19 years. I have applied 3 times for Leave to remain and was turned down. How can I get back the taxestate that I have paid to this country?
Muppet 11/03/2017 at 6:34 pm
Dear Friends,

It has come to the stage whereas my wife and I will soon make a decision on a future relocation to Portugal. However before we make such a decision we desperately need advice on a Portuguese tax issue, regarding taxation (or possibly not) on our source of income. Then depending on the answer, we would be in a better position to make our minds up.

We have tried to get an answer to our tax questions from several different online sources, unfortunately without a satisfactory, or straightforward answer.

Questions:

Would a United Nations disability benefit be liable to Portuguese taxation under Portuguese tax laws, which had not been first/originally taxed at source?

Are there any provisions for tax exemptions applicable to disability benefits, or international civil service pensions, within Portuguese tax laws?
M 12/02/2017 at 9:53 am
Hi
I left the uk in 2012 when my husband was posted to dubai. We have lived there ever since. I spend time back in uk visiting my parents and have been doing less than 90 days a year but this year will be more like 105 days. I stopped work many years ago to start our family so have not real tax affairs to deal with HMRC myself. I never submitted a P85 when we left. I want to be recognised as non resident so my question is;
can I retrospectively submit at P85 form showing I left in 2012? I have good records of my travel to and from uk to demonstrate my whereabouts.
Thanks
D 08/01/2017 at 9:52 pm
I was in the UK for 2 tax periods, from June 2015-Dec 2016, and would like to claim tax back for both years. When submitting my P85 online, do I provide them the total pay to date, and total tax to date for BOTH years? (i.e. sum up both totals from both P45s). Thanks!
ezhil 08/12/2016 at 7:15 am
Hi , i had left UK this May 2016 and i have submitted tax through the private agency and got the refund as well..in this case is it mandatory should i submit the P85 (repat clearance for UK).

Thanks
Rei 07/10/2016 at 4:29 pm
Hi I'm Portuguese and been living in U.K. For 13 year I want to go back home can I claim my tax back and nacional insurance?? How long will it take? And do I need to stop working? Thank you.
mario 02/09/2016 at 8:07 pm
We leave the UK on the 8th Oct, I will claim back over paid tax for the tax yr 2016-17 but Spain only do full year tax ie Jan to Dec so what happens to my tax for the period of Oct to Dec 16.
Jimmymac 22/08/2016 at 11:41 am
I started was let up by employer in 2007 and moved to Ireland where I met my wife and now have kids and full time employment. As I wasn't aware I was to inform HMRC of leaving or entitled to tax back can I now apply for any rebate that may have been available as I was also on reduced pay before I left due to illness.
Jimmy Mac
Em 12/08/2016 at 4:49 pm
I am a uk citizen travelling in Australia on a years working holiday visa. I will be working occasional short term jobs to help fund my journey. Should I send a P85 to uk tax office. Not known if I will stay in aus for the whole year or apply for 2nd year visa yet
Ismail 10/08/2016 at 1:55 pm
I am in UK for a project my duration of stay in the UK will be for 8 months and will leave UK for good after my project is completed. how can i claim my IT contributions because i do not have access to public funds or any. This is my first time in UK.
Ali 02/07/2016 at 2:11 pm
Hi, my husband currently has a Ltd company set up and he is able to work from anywhere in the world as his work can all be done over the Internet. He does work for UK companies. We are planning on moving to Greece in the next year and he wants to be able to continue as he is by invoicing the companies as a UK company and receive the payments into his UK company account, rather than register as a Greek company.

He doesn't charge VAT as he doesn't earn enough.

Is it possible to continue as a UK Ltd company and live in another country and still submit the usual HMRC tax returns and pay UK tax etc?
EmigrationExpert Editor 29/06/2016 at 2:21 pm
Please see gov.uk link here for further information. We cannot estimate the amount you would get back if you are eligible to apply.
DO 28/06/2016 at 9:13 pm
hello! I want to leave UK! After 7 years working full time job! Will I'll be able to claim some tax or NI back? Can I claim pension for the 7 years of work? and how much I will get back?
EmigrationExpert Editor 28/06/2016 at 10:27 am
You can see more whichIf you come from another EU country and return home, the national insurance contributions you have paid in the UK can count toward benefits in your home country. If you have worked in the country you are now living in, you should make your claim for your UK state pension through the pension institution in that country.
Sa 27/06/2016 at 11:35 am
Hi, I've been living and working in the UK for 16 years. In June 2016 I moved to the Netherlands for good. Will I'll be able to claim some tax or NI back? Can I claim pension for the 16 years of work? Please advise.

Sa
Mari 24/06/2016 at 9:13 pm
I am romanian Citizen , I ve been working in Uk for 11 years, I want to know if want to leave uk for good can I claim tax back for all those years? Thanks
EmigrationExpert Editor 24/06/2016 at 11:19 am
The cut-off point where you can make a tax claim from the HMRC is unfortunately four years.
Brendan 23/06/2016 at 11:46 am
Hi. I am a south African citizen. I worked in the UK about 8 years ago. I was not informed by my employer that I can claim my tax and I never did. My question is can I still claim?
Jmac 15/06/2016 at 8:57 pm
I left UK 4 years ago I didn't know I needed to fill in p85.
I paid tax locally and continued to fill in UK tax return.
Very confused.
ammy 28/04/2016 at 1:11 pm
Hi, I left was there in UK between Jul-14 till Dec-14.
I am not sure if P85 was submitted.
Now, I am not able to locate tax year 2014-2015 for tax returns in HMRC self assessment website.

Please suggest
Mai 23/03/2016 at 5:44 pm
Hi
Iam Mai and I have left uk 4 years ago and I had my company LTD company but due to some circumstances I was not able to pay my VAT or tax for the six months so it typically started in October and only ran until January the following year so nothing much has been done in terms of money so I had only ran it for four months but then after I didn't have anything going in the company.My question is now I want to pay the full tax back so what are the consequences which I need to face how much will be the fine and how can I go furthermore your suggestions are highly appreciable and please do let me know as you can understand my situation and when I tried to close the company they said somebody has put an obligation on it so how can I deal with this please please your suggestions ar e welcome

Thanks
Saph 12/02/2016 at 9:45 am
Hi there - I left the UK and moved to Australia about 8 years ago and did not know to let the tax office know I emigrated. I am a British citizen and want to move back with my husband (Aus citizen) who also lived in Uk for over 15 years. Will this be an issue and what should I do now?
EmigrationExpert Editor 02/02/2016 at 1:01 pm
I'm afraid we can't specify when the HMRC will give you the rebate, you may wish to get in touch and speak directly.
Katticha 02/02/2016 at 1:12 am
Hélio, I've left the uk 7 months ago and prior to that I have filled the P85
To date I had no answer in regards to any tax rebate!!! Should I be contacting HMRC?!!!

Thanks in advanced for any info.
Polski 31/01/2016 at 8:42 am
Im living since 9years in the uk but i wanna go back to Poland
Do i get tax back after non stop working full time ?
Thanks alot
Varun 25/01/2016 at 2:15 am
Hi, I m in uk for last six years with Indian passport , I decided to leave uk in three months time , want to know up to how many years I can claim tax back ? & how much time it's take ?
Thnx a lot
Magui 29/12/2015 at 5:51 pm
Hi just moved to the UK can I transfer my tax from itali to UK
FranGut 15/10/2015 at 12:30 pm
Hello, most of my years in UK i was housewife, and my last work i finished at 21-08-2013 and latery i went to job centre and from there i have my P45 2014 years, but i was getting nothing. And now im leaving UK on 30 October 2015.
So i wonder do i need to fill P85 becouse my last P45 is just with date of 02-06-2014 and there is 0.
Or i just can call to tax office and just inform that leaving UK without filling P85?
Or will be enough that i inform Child Benefit office that i leave country with my kid?
Claudia 16/08/2015 at 8:10 pm
@Tavares Same for me.. sent my stuff out in June and still nothing.. maybe it's taking a bit longer this year? Also is there a toll free phone number I can call from say Canada to know how it's getting along? thanks
Tavares 13/08/2015 at 11:25 pm
Hi. I left the UK in June, and I sent my p85 2 months ago. I havent heard anything from the HMRC. I live in Brazil, and I dont know how to procede.
EmigrationExpert Editor 04/08/2015 at 11:02 am
@Nikinoo - If you return to the UK within five years - you may have to pay tax on your foreign income or gains you brought into the UK while you were non-resident. Please see gov.uk whichI hope this helps.
Nikinoo 01/08/2015 at 8:53 am
Is there a rule about how long you need to stay out of the country after doing your tax return? It seems strange to me but i have been told you are not allowed to work in the UK for 5 years after you leave and do a tax return.
h 27/07/2015 at 3:53 am
I left the uk on 7th may and sent my P85 along with my P45 but have heard nothing. I couldnt find my local tax office and my old employer could help as they said everything is done on line now so centralised and didnt know who my tax office was!! so having looked on the tax website I sent my documents to the address shown for tax queries/complaints. Ive heard nothing so dont know whether they are dealing with it or not and now if I was to reapply I dont have a P45. WHat do I do?
Jan 25/07/2015 at 7:37 pm
My advice do not let the HRMC know where you live. now four years on they are still pestering me to fill in the forms and I am receiving all kinds of fines. I usually fill in the P85 form every year but nothing is helping.
Em06 08/07/2015 at 2:16 pm
Hi, I lodged my P85 in April 2015 after leaving the UK but I haven't heard or received anything. Who do I contact? I live in Australia. Thank you
Gina 30/06/2015 at 10:22 pm
I have dual citizenship and having working here in the UK for seven yearsand now I going back home
Am entitled to tax
Gina 30/06/2015 at 10:16 pm
I am Dual citizenship and now going abroad I am entitled to tax claimone
EmigrationExpert Editor 09/06/2015 at 10:22 am
@ken - as specified in the article, for the majority of people, the main form that you must fill in is form P85. This form will allow you to obtain any tax refund you're owed and to work out if you'll become non-resident, thus becoming free from further tax returns.I have included a link to the form here which should help.
ken 06/06/2015 at 1:33 pm
I am a foreign national working in Uk for 10 years and returning back home permanently in few months time.
Can I claim my tax and NI back for all these years.

Thanks
EmigrationExpert Editor 08/06/2015 at 1:47 pm
@Rocotron - you don't give a reason why you think you might not be able to come back. I can't see why you wouldn't be allowed.
Rocotron 05/06/2015 at 6:32 pm
Hi! Im from Spain and I left the UK a year ago. I fill up the P85 form after five years living there. Now I would like to come back but the thing is that I am not sure if I can because the tax return. My question is if I can or not.

Thank you
Marcos 01/06/2015 at 4:02 pm
I left the UK in 1995. I was semi self employed ie was on a monthly retainer plus commission but had to do all my accountancy/tax returns. I was recommended to an accountant who no longer exists and prior to leaving the UK the accountant was in negotiation with the local tax office on how much I should be paying. I was made redundant in 1993 & received a redundancy payment which was used to offset some of my future mortgage payments and finance my car and personal equipment to allow me to work in as normal possible way without having to seek any financial benefit from social welfare, had I decided to not go self employed but stay unemployed.
During the course of 1995 I was notified that the Revenue were looking for a figure of £4500.00 to be paid which was the amount received when made redundant. This was used as explained above to allow me to get a job as self employed. To date this figure has not been met. I can forsee myself having to return to the UK because of my job. Question: how much would be due if the Revenue request all back taxes(+interest) must be paid or is there any lea way for negotiation
lillo 22/05/2015 at 7:50 pm
i want to leave for good the uk after 11 years working full time.
how do i calculate roughly how much i will get back?
Meni 01/05/2015 at 12:19 pm
Hi, I'm moving to Czech Republic and I've been self employed for 2 years and don;t have a P45. The form says I won't be able to be paid a rebate. So what will I need to do to get paid?
Also, the form says fill in a Self Assessment form instead (by post only) instead of a P85. Is that right??

I am moving now and I have until Oct 31st to send it. So if I do all that in good time I won't be fined right? I wish these forms were easier to comprehend...

Thanks for your help!
simone91 30/04/2015 at 9:41 am
Hi there.
I worked in the uk during all the tax year 5th April 2014-6th April 2015, and I left UK on the 10th of April 2015. Even though I didn t leave UK part way through that tax year, can I still claim my PAYE tax back ???
na 10/04/2015 at 1:52 pm
I will leave the UK soon. Please contact me regarding to the tax refund.

Cheers

Na
Tim Editor 09/04/2015 at 12:02 pm
@Shazza - you don't have to fill one in but the HMRC would recommend everyone does, just in case you may be owed some tax.
shazza 07/04/2015 at 11:02 am
im a housewife and do not work the last time I worked was 2012. Im moving to Canada do i have to fill in a P85, im sure this does not apply to me.....I have informed child benefit
nic 02/04/2015 at 11:34 pm
Hi,
I was living in London last year, I left in October 2014, I sent my tax form with P45 in January of this year and I think I am definitely owed tax. Although, I haven't heard anything yet, when and how do you hear from them? If you say,I should follow it up, what does that mean?
I have no idea how taxes work, please help!
Thank you!
EmigrationExpert Editor 12/03/2015 at 2:50 pm
@streetcred - you need to follow it up too, especially if you are owed money.
streetcred 11/03/2015 at 7:54 am
i too filled in a p85 and sent it to my local tax office in mid december when i quit work. I'v been in Oz since feb 9th and still got no tax into my bank account yet
Phil Editor 10/03/2015 at 2:03 pm
@ACP - generally they are pretty quick once the form has been submitted. The easiest thing is to follow it up if you haven't heard anything.
ACP 08/03/2015 at 2:12 pm
Hi,
I submitted my P85 in mid December 2014 before I returned home to Australia. I know I'll definitely receive a tax return of some sort, but as it's now 3 months, I'm getting anxious. Do you know how long it may take to hear from the tax office?
Thanks in advance for your help.
cpower 04/03/2015 at 1:52 am
I have just returned to Canada from living in the UK for two year and Im having trouble with my P85. I do not plan on returning to the UK but the form asks if I will be working when Im aboard back home in Canada, which I will but do I need to say Iam if I have no intention of returning and frankly, don't think it is no business of theirs?
Pedroca 03/03/2015 at 10:40 pm
Hello guys. I lived in UK from 1997 to 2008, working and paying all my taxes. Since June 2008 I'm living in Brazil. Is it possible to receive tax return for those years? I have my P45's whit me. Thanks
rhayz 23/02/2015 at 9:49 pm
Hi, i'm leaving the uk on March 2. will file tax refund/submit needed requirements. Aside from the P85, what other requirements/documents i need? And where will i send it?
Thank you
Yaz Editor 25/02/2015 at 11:30 am
@seba - yes a hotel forwarding address should be fine as long as you can then get a forwarding address from the hotel when you find a permanent home. It's pretty much up to your employer how quickly they can issue you with a P45. If you express your urgency, I'm sure they will be able to organise one quickly.
Seba 23/02/2015 at 10:34 am
Dears,

I'm leaving the UK next week and I need to send my P85. Unfortunately I do not have yet a definite address in China, so my question is what to write in the next country address. Would be fine with the Hotel address?.

Also, how long take to my old job to provide me the P45?.

Kind regards,

Sebastian
EmigrationExpert Editor 16/02/2015 at 1:46 pm
@Hugo - yes, you can find out all the details you need to know via the gov.uk link, here. I hope this helps.
Hugo 13/02/2015 at 5:46 pm
Hi guys,
My question is, I'm foreign and am leaving in UK about 1 year and half but now I need to leave back home and I don't have no intentions to come back so i want to know if is the form P85 that I need to field, because I want to get all the taxes I know after that if I want to work here again is just after 5 years! please help me.
EmigrationExpert Editor 03/02/2015 at 10:29 am
@Dot - A British resident who has a bank account in another country will have tax deducted at source on any interest they earn. It makes it easier for you as UK has double tax agreements with a large number of countries including Australia. It shows which jurisdiction has the taxing rights on a particular profit including interest. It means you won't have to pay tax twice. However, I should give your bank a call in order for them to explain the best way forward.
DOT 31/01/2015 at 8:29 pm
do i have to pay any tax on money i transfer to my bank in australia i am immigrating
hydz 05/01/2015 at 12:48 pm
im leaving uk soon and filling a p85 form. having hard time to answer questions that very repeatetive. though im planning to come back by next year and i want my residency not affected and my son is a British citizen. can you help me the possible way how to answer this questions in a right way..and how to claim national insurance as well..thanks
MOMBASA 02/01/2015 at 5:34 pm
i have worked and paid tax and national insurance for 8 years and am planning living the uk soon.will it be possible for me to claim back all the tax and national insurance I have paid during my stay in uk
nidaruta 27/09/2014 at 9:09 pm
Hello, I am planing to leave UK for good, I have been living here and paying national insurance and taxes for 13 years. I have P45 from the last job that covers 7.5 years. My question is can I take a State pension and taxes back for those years? or for what period of time I can take some money back with me. Thank you
millie234 17/08/2014 at 9:33 pm
hi there please can you help me i jut dont understand if i have to let them know 2-3 months before i leave uk and send p45 form together with p85... i am still working so how can i have last p45? or could it be the one from previous employment? please help!
salvo 28/06/2014 at 10:45 am
ive been in the uk for 36 years and now i want go back to sicily for gook i have my hopuse on the market no sold yet im here alone i like to stay close to my family i been too long away from them so once i have sold my house i wiil have amount of £70.000 in cash to take with me what is the best thing for me i dont want to getting into any trouble please can you help me ?????
les6 29/03/2014 at 12:36 pm
Hi I left the uk 13 years without informing the tax office I am now going to be back and forward to the uk, how do I go about putting things right with the tax office.

regards
paisa 10/06/2013 at 9:47 pm
I have work in the UK for the last 22 years, I have all this time pay
tax and national insurance contribution.
I am leaving the UK in about 2 months and my last payment in my current job in one month.

what form should I fill or what should be the procedure in order to obtain my tax return?

many thanks
kk 24/04/2013 at 1:35 pm
I am a New Zealander and have been working in the Uk for the last 16years. I am thinking of returning home at some stage and need advice on how this will affect my pension, will it be paid to the new zealand government directly.I had worked for approximately 20years both part time and full time in new zealand before coming to the UK.
Lisanzio 29/03/2013 at 4:57 pm
Hello, I am Italian. I worked for some years in the US. Then I went to work for 7 months in the UK and paid taxes (I have received my P45). I left the UK and I am sure I will not go back there as I found a new job in the US and I will try to live there for good. I have not filled out yet the P85.
I understand that if I fill out the P85 I should get some money back.
But instead of receiving some money back now I wonder if can I can transfer the money I paid in taxes in UK to my US pension (social security). In that case will the US credits increase? So far I have 20 Us credits and I need 40 to get pension. Any credits I can add would help.
Thank you
rob 14/01/2013 at 12:56 am
I am married, aged 73 and my wife is aged 68.
We are both UK residents.
We have applied for permanent residence in Australia and should receive this in the next year or so.
We only receive Pensions now..I receive a Company Pension plus State Pension. My wife receives a small Personal Pension plus State Pension.
I fear that we may be worse off when we become Australian Residents regarding tax. Do we have to become Non-Resident for tax purposes.?..and when Australia Tax Payers would they tax all our Pension income?
I will appreciate any advise in this matter...
than ks...
bob 11/01/2013 at 1:03 am
I will be emigrating to Australia within the next two years with my wife
We both receive state pensions
Ages..me 73
Wife: 67
I receive company pension approx 15K gross
Will I have to beome an Austraian taxpayer..and will my UK pensions, my only income..be taxed in Oz???
j 06/12/2012 at 5:45 pm
What if im going abroad for 11 months from January to December?
jonny 28/11/2012 at 12:31 pm
Hi there,i have moved to australia on a 4 year visa which I will be making permanent.i did not fill out a p85 nor do I have my p45.will I still be able to claim a rebate.many thanks
NICK 25/09/2012 at 10:59 am
Hi,

I have worked in the UK for the past 15 years as a British Citizen. I moved to Italy in Dec 2008.

I want to find out if I am eligible for some tax and national insurance contributions payments back for all the years I have worked. How can I start claiming this money?

Despite contacting my previous employees, they have not sent my P60 or P45.

Please can you advise me what I have to do?

Thank you
aidanbenbow 09/08/2012 at 5:44 pm
Hi! I moved abroad to live a number of years ago and did not complete a P85 form. Is there anything I can do to put this situation right?
chape 02/07/2012 at 3:46 pm
I have lived in the UK for the past 16 years, I will move permanently from the UK in December 2012 and I want to find out if I am eligible for some tax and national insurance contributions payments back, If so how can I start claiming this money.
hero 30/06/2012 at 7:30 pm
I'v the honnor to write this message
Ineed information about the corporation in canada and the chance to get a job
thank you
Math 24/06/2012 at 9:37 pm
Hi. I left the UK in June 2007 to work in UK. I did not complete my P85 form. I am back in UK working since 19 June 2012. First, can I fill my P85 now? Do I pay tax on income from my non-UK overseas employer? I want to bring my money back to the UK to buy a property, will I have to pay tax on this money?
Thanks
Jebz 14/06/2012 at 9:01 am
Hi all,
I have lived in UK for 2 and half years and left UK by 2011 Feb 1. The day before I left (30-12-2011), I have submitted my P85, and all other documents required in hmrc. But I have worked on 31/01/2011 as well. I have received my last pay on Feb 2011 and my company have submitted my P45 to them later. But the money that they owe me was about 450 Pounds by max June 2011 and its 2012 June now and I still didn't received the money other than a letter. Why is it so? Will I get a copy of my P45 again? will I get my money back?
pathan 26/04/2012 at 8:14 am
Related to the above question, i have worked and paid tax for almost 3 years and leaving uk at the end of this year. For how many years i can claim back the tax and NI ?
jaffa 30/07/2011 at 3:31 am
hi there. i have been living abroad for the last 15 yrs, and whilst i filled out my p85 before leaving the UK, i have not done any tax returns since. I can prove i have been abroad for 15 yrs, but i am now worried there could be big problems if i take up a job back in britain in the future. Any suggestions please??...i am from england
Java 03/06/2011 at 9:51 am
Hi, I was wondering which or how many years I can claim? I became Self Employed in August 2009 but previous to that I was employed. Now, my question is can I claim taxes for the years I was employed too as well as Self Employed?

Thank you,
Java
anthropoy 18/04/2011 at 11:08 pm
The same question as above as well. I'm leaving the UK soon for good and would like to know if I could claim my national insurance back. Some websites said it's possible, is that true? Thanks.
ar 15/04/2011 at 7:17 pm
I submitted a p85 form together with other relevant documents about 8 weeks ago. I am still waiting for a tax rebate. I called hmrc a couple of times but they are not able to tell me when exactly I will get my money. when I called today they told me my form has been filed with the department which deals with repayments and 'it shouldnt be long now'. do you know how long I will wait?
Cristal 28/03/2011 at 12:17 pm
I am leaving the UK at the end of this tax year and would like to know how many years I can claim tax back for and what form I need to use?
Peter. 18/03/2011 at 8:53 am
I worked 2 years in England, and when I moved back to my country, I claimed back my tax with P45. So my question is, When can I move back to England (and work) legally after this?
EmigrationExpert 15/03/2011 at 11:00 am
For the majority of people, the main form that you must fill in is form P85. This form will allow you to obtain any tax refund you're owed. The form can be downloaded from the HMRC website.
N/A 13/03/2011 at 3:26 pm
I have worked and paid tax and national insurance for eight years and I am leaving the uk soon. Will it be possible for me to claim back all the tax and national insurance I have paid during my stay in the uk?

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