Wealthy Britons escaping conflict in the Gulf are looking for refuge in places such as Ireland and France to sidestep large tax charges at home.
Facing possible claims from HM Revenue and Customs, high‑net‑worth individuals who have been residing in the United Arab Emirates and nearby states hope to ride out the missile and drone strikes elsewhere rather than return to the United Kingdom.
With roughly three weeks left in the current financial year, many overseas residents have already “used up” their allotted days in Britain without triggering tax obligations. Some are asking HMRC whether they might receive an additional 60 days under an “exceptional circumstances” rule.
Nimesh Shah, chief executive of the consultancy Blick Rothenberg, said: “I’ve received an unusually high number of enquiries from people wanting to leave the UAE in recent weeks.
“I’ve advised them not to count on any exceptional‑circumstances provision from HMRC. I doubt the tax authority will be very sympathetic.”
Shah added: “There are UK taxpayers who have chosen to move to places like the UAE. In HMRC’s view they have gone there to avoid UK tax. They are unlikely to be given a free pass to spend more time here without paying tax.”
For those who have been non‑resident for fewer than five years, it is not only income tax for the current year that could fall within HMRC’s reach if they return. They may also be liable for capital gains tax on any assets or businesses disposed of while they were abroad.
A very wealthy business owner told CuriosityNews he was staying in Dublin until he could travel to London after 5 April, when the 2025‑26 tax year ends.
“I am prepared to pay income tax and tax on investments next year, but I do not want a sale of a business I completed years ago to be caught by UK capital gains tax,” he said. “I covered my own travel home, by the way.”
Another British entrepreneur based in the UAE said he would spend the present period in France.
If a person claims non‑resident status for tax purposes, the number of days they may remain in the UK is determined by several tests. These assess their connections to Britain and can include whether they have a home, a spouse or children in the country.
For many who have departed in recent years, this can mean a limit of as few as 45 days in the UK before they revert to the domestic tax regime. Others may be permitted up to 183 days in a tax year, depending on their situation.
During the Covid‑19 pandemic, HMRC allowed some individuals to exceed their allowance without becoming UK tax residents. The 60‑day exceptional‑circumstance provision was applied where people could demonstrate they were unable to leave due to the halt in international travel, provided they showed attempts were made to depart.
Tax advisers say this justification is unlikely to succeed in the present circumstances.
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