Working abroad, deduction of expenses

[tim123]

There some bumf in the revenue guide to expense - booklet 480 (or is it 490). From recollection it's not a great deal - but there are things related to travel etc that are claimable.

Whilst you don't want to know about relief from local tax on the grounds you didn't pay any the terms of a few DTA's state that the income is fully taxed and eligible for relief against the whole UK tax that would otherwise be due (even if the local tax paid was zero). It might be worth checking the DTA for wherever you did earn the money.

I checked before I left.

I couldn't believe that I didn't have to pay any "local" tax on 5 months earnings, and that I would be trusted to declare this income in the UK and pay the tax there (I reckon I've got a 99.9999999% chance of not getting found out if I didn't!).

So I went to the local (foreign) tax office and asked, and they did indeed confirm what the people paying me had said.


tim

[Bob Jones]

but how do I find out what's genuinely allowable

I used to specialise in travel expenses when I worked for HMRC ... what is allowable is dependent upon the facts .. I aim to be in the office on Monday -can you ring me on 01244 310547 and I'll talk you through it -alternatively email bob.jones25@btinternet.com ..
Regards
Bob

[ASB]

OK, thanks,

but how do I find out what's genuinely allowable

tim

There some bumf in the revenue guide to expense - booklet 480 (or is it 490). From recollection it's not a great deal - but there are things related to travel etc that are claimable.

Whilst you don't want to know about relief from local tax on the grounds you didn't pay any the terms of a few DTA's state that the income is fully taxed and eligible for relief against the whole UK tax that would otherwise be due (even if the local tax paid was zero). It might be worth checking the DTA for wherever you did earn the money.

[tim123]

OK, thanks,

but how do I find out what's genuinely allowable

tim

[Bob Jones]

On the assumption that what you are claiming is genuinely allowable you declare the gross amount on your return and claim the expense in the appropriate box.

Bob

[tim123]

It's my understanding that if I work (PAYE) abroad for less than the full tax year, I declare the income on my UK tax return, but can deduct "foreign" living expenses from the declaration (or is it that I declare the full amount and claim the expenses in the appropriate box?).

Does anyone know where this is actually stated in Revenue documents?

(PS. I don't need to know about Double Taxation relief, I didn't pay any local tax)

tim