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Topic: Moved from US to UK on 3-year work visa - do I file UK taxes? city taxes?  (Read 1015 times)

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I'm sure this is just a simple answer, but I just keep getting more confused!

Husband and I moved from Pennsylvania to Scotland last February - he worked in the US in January, I didn't. We both worked here. I know we have to file US taxes and pay for January. We definately don't come close to making over $80K, so we shouldn't owe anything.

We're planning on moving back to PA in a few years, so we'll be filing state taxes - kind of annoying, but I don't think there's any way around it.

We don't own property anywhere, we have all bills, etc. coming to the UK.

Offhand... does anyone know what happens if we don't file city taxes? Can't seem to figure that out either... we lived in Pittsburgh and plan on returning.

My real confusion is about the UK taxes - we didn't think we had to file here, but some of these posts have me confused. Since neither of us has UK citizenship do we not have to file?

Sorry if this is confusing, thanks so much for any help...


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  • Yub nub!
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With regards to UK taxes, unless you're self employed, or have otherwise been told that you have to self asess, then you don't have to file a tax return over here, it's all done PAYE (pay as you earn).  There are a few exceptions, for example, if you have significant overseas income which you remit to the UK, but generally, if you're employed over here, and you see that income tax is taken off your wageslip every month, then you don't have to file.


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  • Death and taxes: I'd rather pay tax than be dead.
    • British American Tax
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"have to" being the key phrase in elyl's post.

UK payroll departments often screw up PAYE in your first year here.  You can check their work by typing in your salary here:  http://www.listentotaxman.com/.  Enter your salary earned through April 5 2006 - as the UK tax year ends April 5.  Then run your husband's salary on the same site.  If the refund/balance due on each computation is <£25, then you don't have to file.  If either of you has a big refund, however, you still don't *have* to file - but you might *want* to!

Filing has nothing to do with citizenship - it has to do with residency. 

To file - choose one of several options:
---a local UK tax accountant
---call HMRC and ask them how to claim your refund.  They may say "you don't have to file"; if they do - remind them you are due a substantial refund and you want that money back.
Liz Z i t z o w, EA
British American Tax


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