Tax Trends in the UK

Renting in the UK in 2026: nothing will be the same!

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces a monumental shift in England’s private rental sector, with most changes taking effect from 1 May 2026. This legislation permanently ends Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, requiring landlords to provide valid legal grounds to reclaim their properties. All tenancies will transition to rolling periodic contracts, granting tenants greater flexibility while abolishing traditional fixed-term agreements. Landlords must also comply with new administrative mandates, including joining a national property portal and a mandatory Ombudsman scheme to resolve disputes. Furthermore, the act strengthens tenant rights regarding pet ownership, bans rental bidding wars, and enforces stricter quality standards for housing. Overall, these reforms aim to professionalise the industry by increasing transparency and security for renters across the country.

UK Tax Anti-Avoidance: GAAR, TAAR, and Close Companies

A comprehensive overview of the United Kingdom's anti-avoidance tax legislation, focusing on deterring and counteracting abusive tax arrangements. Key statutes explained include the General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR), which targets schemes lacking commercial purpose under a "double-reasonableness" test, and the Transfer of Assets Abroad (ToAA) provisions, which tax UK residents who transfer assets offshore to avoid tax on income. We also talk about upcoming government policy intended to tighten Capital Gains Tax anti-avoidance rules concerning share exchanges and reorganisations. We discuss abou tthe high evidential burden on taxpayers attempting to rely on the "motive defence" under ToAA, citing the A Moran v HMRC case as a practical example. Finally, we stress the severe financial consequences of using these schemes, including significant penalties (e.g., 60% under GAAR) and the application of Accelerated Payment Notices (APNs).

UK Abolishes Non Dom Rules. Now what?

This episode provide a comprehensive guide to the UK's Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime, which abolishes the old non-domicile remittance tax basis starting 6 April 2025 and transition to a pure residence-based system. The new FIG regime offers a time-limited four-year exemption on foreign income and gains for qualifying new residents who have been non-resident for the preceding ten years, replacing the indefinite tax break previously tied to domicile status. Key transitional measures include the Temporary Repatriation Facility (TRF), a three-year window allowing former remittance basis users to bring pre-2025 untaxed funds to the UK at a reduced 12% or 15% flat rate, and rebasing relief for certain foreign assets to the 2017 value for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) purposes. Furthermore, the Overseas Workday Relief (OWR) is extended to four years and simplified by removing the remittance requirement, though it now introduces a cap on relief, and Inheritance Tax (IHT) is reformed to apply to worldwide assets after ten years of UK residence. These significant tax changes necessitate proactive planning to maximize the short-term benefits and adjust to the new worldwide taxation for long-term residents.

UK Tax Residency - Navigating the complex rules

In this podcast we discuss at length the rules the UK Statutory Residence Test (SRT), the comprehensive legal framework used to determine whether an individual is a UK resident for tax purposes. In particular we cover the three main components of the SRT: automatic non-residence tests, automatic UK residence tests (such as the 183-day rule), and the complex sufficient ties test, which balances the number of days spent in the UK against five defined connections. We also talk about the specific rules when you arrive or leave the UK: the "split year" rules, which allow individuals arriving in or leaving the UK mid-year to be treated as resident for only part of the tax year, detailing the eight specific cases and stressing the strict conditions and potential pitfalls related to day counts, work commitments, and accommodation ties. Both articles emphasize the critical importance of careful planning and meticulous record-keeping for mobile individuals to manage their tax status accurately.

UK Taxation of Foreign Performers: A Guide

This deepdive explores the UK taxation system for foreign performers and sportspersons, outlining when income from UK appearances is liable for tax. It explains the withholding tax mechanism, where the UK payer deducts a standard 20% from earnings exceeding the personal allowance, and the required HMRC forms (FEU1, FEU2, FEU8) for reporting and applying for reduced rates. The document also clarifies exemptions from withholding tax, such as cancellation fees or payments below the annual threshold, and addresses crucial VAT implications for both performers and UK agents, including the reverse charge mechanism. Ultimately, the guide ensures that all parties understand their obligations to HMRC's Foreign Entertainers Unit (FEU) for compliant financial management.