“Expats hit by 25% Tax Charge on Overseas Pension Transfers”
My recent meetings with clients have largely revolved around transferring pensions out of the UK into Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pensions (QROPS to you and me). Without exception, all of my new clients have been scared to discuss their UK pensions with a Financial Adviser in Spain because of headlines like the one above (Financial Times – March 10, 2017).
Could the Dutch tax break for expats be changing?
As an expat the way you pay tax and how your regular savings may grow could be very different to how it is at home in the UK, which is why all expats need to be fully aware of the financial systems of their chosen country of residence.
For instance, if you have moved to the Netherlands for work, or you're considering a move in the near future, changes to a beneficial tax break could be on the horizon meaning your entitlement to tax-free income is cut.
Italy introduces new tax break for wealthy expats
Italy has introduced a new 'non-dom' tax incentive which may see many wealthy British expats relocating to its shores, as well as convincing rich Italian expats to return. The new measure was approved by the Italian parliament in December as part of Italy's Finance Bill 2017.
It ensures that foreign residents will be exempt from Italian tax on all offshore income and gains for a flat-rate tax charge of €100,000 (about £84,000). For a further €25,000, the tax exemption can be extended to family members.
UK probate fees – a tax on bereavement?
Linking probate fees to the size of a person’s estate is effectively a tax on bereavement. Families with large estates in the UK will now have to start considering ways to reduce the size of their estate before they die.
Income tax rise for British expats
Under new plans proposed by the Government, and included in Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond's first Autumn Statement, British expatriates with offshore pensions will face a higher income tax rate.
The plans say that those with QROPS (qualifying registered overseas pension schemes) will be subject to the same tax treatment as those with UK pensions, meaning that they will pay 100 per cent instead of their current 90 per cent. There will also be further measures taken to make setting up a QROPS more complex in the future.
Spanish Inheritance Tax Explained
As retirement draws near, many of us begin to think about how we want our hard-earned earthly possessions to be distributed amongst our nearest and dearest. Making a will, of course, is a good starting point, but you also might want to think about the slice of the pie that the taxman will take from our relatives’ inheritance.
Will Brexit provoke ‘travel tax’ for UK residents?
Plans have been released by Brussels to introduce a travel tax on post-Brexit UK travellers. British people will no longer be able to travel freely to Europe without paying a "travel tax" and being forced to fill out a form under plans unveiled by Brussels. The US-style visa waiver scheme is one of the first concrete signs UK citizens will not be permitted the privileges they once had, to move across European borders unhindered.
French PM makes expat tax regime commitment
Finally, some good news for British expats in France who are clients of expat financial services providers; the French government has said that it will look to make its expat tax regime Europe's most favourable – a move that is clearly designed to take advantage of uncertainty in London created by Britain's decision to exit the EU.
The French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said that the favourable tax regime for expats in France would be extended from the first five to the first eight years of residence; the move goes some way to redress perceptions of an overly regulated and unfairly taxed financial sector in France.