expat thinking of coming home

[Antman]

golly thanks!

Definitely food for thought there

[expat]

True, but apparently there is an agreement between Spain and UK so that you don't pay tax twice on what's earned (once it's payed in Spain then Gordo wouldn't be able to claim any).

Not quite: the way it almost always works is this: you pay tax on your income in the place that you earned it. You are also due to pay tax on all your income, in the place that considers you resident; but with a credit against tax, equal to tax already paid elsewhere. At the very least, this means that you effectively pay tax at the rate of the higher of the 2 countries.

Among the Gotchas are: both places may consider you resident. They may both want to tax you on all income (you can not say to them, get your act together and then I'll pay)

Double taxation relief applies to income tax. Some of the money that you have to pay to the government may not be called "tax", in which case it will not be subject to double taxation relief. It may well be due in both places; or (for example like health care) may be done by taxation in one country and by compulsory health insurance in another: do not expect one country to let you off with taxes just because you have insurace in another. You may pay as you earn in one country, but in arrears in another. You may be regarded as "employed" by one country for tax purposes, but as "self-employed" by the other country - so each may declare that you are taxable there.

So, if some IR35 equivalent isn't in existence in Spain, then probably would make sense to based here methinks(?)

What do you think IR35 says? It seems to me that it says that you may be treated as if all or most of your turnover were income. That is already the case for contractors in most countries. Only in the UK do one-man-bands operate "companies" instead of being self-employed (but don't get me started....).

But the usual UK contractor's question, Am I In or Out of IR35, is not the question for a potential expat: it is simply, what is the income, and the cost of doing business, in this or that country?

[Antman]

And Gibraltar?

True, but apparently there is an agreement between Spain and UK so that you don't pay tax twice on what's earned (once it's payed in Spain then Gordo wouldn't be able to claim any). So, if some IR35 equivalent isn't in existence in Spain, then probably would make sense to based here methinks(?)

Also I was reading that using Gibraltar isn't that much of a great deal unless you're very rich and that also EU is looking at trying to end it's tax free status in the near future? Any expats currently using it?

[Mailman]

I think the only thing you can be guaranteed of is that Gordo will see your assets in Spain as being taxable in England!

Mailman

[Antman]

Ok then,

Can anybody name a decent spanish accountancy firm for expats temporarily working in UK?

[BaddBoy]

Stay There!!

I agree with Mustang ...stay there if you can . I was in a similar position sometime ago ...I decided to stay in Spain and do the UK-Spain commute (monthly, twice-monthly) ( moved from Madrid to TFS) . Seem to be working so far.

As for the accountants? You should be better off finding yourself a very good Spanish Accountant .

As you know , the Spanish lifestyle can be quite sweeeet. To me , it's not worth giving up to live in the UK . Good luck!

BaddBoy

[BlasterBates]

It isn't that the UK has got worse in the last few years, it is just that the first time you return to the UK after being away, it is somehow disappointing, flat and boring somehow.

[Antman]

Actually born in Germany but have lived in UK since I was five (up until about 5 years ago that is)

[tim123]

Are you a UK Domicile. (I.e were you born in the UK and done nothing to change it).

It makes a big difference to your tax status and options

tim

[Antman]

Actually you're not the first person who's told me the same thing! Where were you based?

I think Spain is close enough to commute (ie. spend a couple of weeks UK or wherever before a long weekend on Madrid) at least in the short term.

I suppose what I should be asking for is the name of an accountant who specialises in this sort of thing.

[Mustang]

Stay there!!

I moved back to the UK 3 years ago after being an expat for 9 years and I have to say the place has changed and not for the better. The quality of life has gone down since coming back and my wife and I are looking at heading overseas again.

If you are intent on leaving Spain why choose the UK to come back to? There must be other places that tempt you?

[Antman]

Hi all,

I've been working for five years here in Madrid, and I've sort of settled down. Unfortunately I got made redundant from my permie job. As there is no contract market to speak of here in Spain and salaries have come down a long way since I started I am looking at contracting in the UK.

I am a home-owner here in Madrid, and I am not (for the moment) considering moving completely back to blighty. I would like to hear from anybody about which would be the best way forward regards the usual conundrums newbies face (ltd. or umbrella etc.) considering that I am not actually resident in the UK.

Thanks

Anthony