News & Insights

Professionals working in financial management in the Cayman Islands have many regional and jurisdictional advantages that they can bring to the benefits of their clients' portfolios, whether they are standard retail investors who have built their wealth through pension schemes, diligent individual savers or institutional investors who are looking for a desirable place to do business.

These are all undoubtedly factors in why, according to the Cayman Islands General Registry, the number of Grand Cayman-registered companies recently reached an all-time peak, with steady growth in Grand Cayman investment on the part of expats just one of many causes behind the growth which also saw Cayman GDP rise by 2.8 percent in 2017, with a further 3 percent rise predicted for 2018 figures.

Tax planning should be a New Year priority for any British citizen who has recently become an expat.

Just last year HM Revenue & Customs increased its efforts to ensure expats met their full tax obligations and has begun to successfully use EU laws that encourage co-operation between member states. "We will not hesitate to use all legal means to collect taxes that are owed," commented an HMRC spokesperson. Despite this tough talking, the EU this year criticised the UK for its poor record of cross-border tax collection.

It is important to remember that although the HMRC's new stricter approach remains at an early stage, it is already paying dividends for the government, which estimates that it lost £1.7bn in tax revenue in 2016-17, compared to £4bn in 2011-12. Furthermore, 1,006 requests for tax information were made to EU authorities in 2017. This resulted in the recovery of £5 million. In comparison, similar requests in 2013 yielded just £800,000.

Spanish property ownership is a fairly common part of many expat wealth management strategies. However, Spanish taxes have been known to present obstacles to some expats in this regard and the uptake of both home ownership and property investment in Spain has suffered as a result.

Previously, the law held that expat buyers must pay mortgage tax out of their own pockets, which, as well as being an administrative annoyance also left many expats feeling a little like second-class citizens; however, with changes recently introduced by parliament, the tax will instead be paid by the bank financing the mortgage, with the new rules taking effect immediately.

The Modelo 720 is a controversial topic for UK expats in Spain. Translated to ‘Form 720’, it is the form that has to be submitted every year, declaring any assets that you own outside Spain worth over €50,000.

Let's face it: Brexit is a confusing time for everyone. However, it is important that panic doesn't set in. This applies at every level, from the uppermost echelons of government and business leaders to expatriate workers and the everyday retiree.

The same applies to financial advisers. Not only do clients – and of course the markets – require their calm to steer them through uncertain and uncharted waters, but firms themselves need to stay composed and attentive to ensure that they continue to meet regulatory standards as Brexit unfolds and transition periods take effect.

SIPPs (Self-Invested Personal Pensions) are a flexible retirement saving vehicle, offering choice, freedom and investment opportunity.

However, as it is by definition, self-invested, a SIPP also brings with it certain amount of responsibility. Of course, the burden can to some extent be minimised if you have a financial adviser or wealth manager to act on your behalf, but even if you take advice, there may still be an element of DIY investment to your SIPP.

Are you yet to draw on your pension and have one or more dormant, frozen pension pots from when you were employed or self-employed? If you have had a number of jobs during your career, you could have a series of separate pension plans which, while individually may not add up to much, you are relying on to provide you with an income during your retirement.

Expat retirement transfers have the potential to play a critical, and beneficial, part of an expat's financial planning. However, this is only if the process is undertaken in a considered fashion with reliable, regulated and trustworthy advice that investigates all of the options, including the possibility of a QROPS or SIPPs transfer.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) knows this better than anybody and has recently flagged its concern that too many firms are providing unsuitable pension transfer advice. This followed the publishing of a report in which the FCA found less than half of all pension transfer advice was fit for purpose.