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Are You HMRC Safe in Dubai?

HMRC investigations into UK expat tax compliance are up 40%. Non-dom abolition changed the rules on 6 April 2025. Get the free 10-point compliance checklist.

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ACCA Registered Practice • Reg. No. 2000003070
Bonus: Free UK Expat Tax Exposure Calculator (Excel)

Why This Matters Now

Rule Change

Non-Dom Abolished April 2025

The remittance basis is gone. Foreign income and gains are now taxable for UK residents from day one. Transitional provisions apply — but only if you claim them.

HMRC Risk

Investigations Up 40%

HMRC has significantly increased compliance checks on UK expats since non-dom abolition. Residence status, overseas income, and UK asset disposals are all under scrutiny.

Most Common Mistake

SRT Day Count Errors

The Statutory Residence Test is frequently misapplied. Miscounting UK days — including transit days — is the #1 cause of unexpected tax bills for Dubai expats.

The 10-Point Compliance Checklist

Each item includes a risk explanation — so you know exactly what you're checking and why it matters.

1
Statutory Residence Test status confirmed
The most common error — miscounting UK days or misapplying tie-breaker rules can mean HMRC treats you as UK resident for the entire year.
2
P85 form submitted to HMRC
Leaving without notifying HMRC keeps you on their self-assessment register and potentially liable for UK tax you may not owe.
3
Non-dom regime impact assessed (post April 2025)
Non-dom abolition changed the rules for anyone with foreign income or gains. Transitional provisions apply — but only if you actively claim them.
4
Self-Assessment filings up to date
Gaps in SA filings are the #1 indicator HMRC uses to identify expats with potential UK tax liabilities.
5
UK rental income reported correctly
HMRC auto-matches Land Registry data with returns — unreported rental income from a UK property is one of the highest risk areas.
6
UK bank interest and dividends declared
Banks report interest and dividends directly to HMRC. Overseas residents with UK accounts are routinely cross-checked via HMRC Connect.
7
Split year treatment claimed if applicable
Without split year treatment, you may be taxed as UK resident for the full year you departed — even if you left in April.
8
UK pension contributions and drawdown reviewed
Taking UK pension benefits while non-resident has specific reporting requirements. Double tax treaty relief must be actively claimed.
9
Capital gains on UK assets reviewed
UK property disposals by non-residents must be reported within 60 days — regardless of whether any tax is owed. Late reports incur automatic penalties.
10
UAE business structure compliant with UK CFC rules
Controlled Foreign Company rules can pull profits from your UAE entity back into UK taxation if the structure has a UK connection.

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Read the Full Guides

Each checklist item links to a detailed article explaining the rules.

🏛️

Statutory Residence Test Guide

Day counting, automatic tests, and sufficient ties explained

🏢

UAE Corporate Tax for UK Owners

What the 9% UAE corporate tax means for UK business owners

🏠

UK Rental Income as a Dubai Expat

HMRC obligations on UK property you kept when you moved

🌟

Dubai Free Zone vs Mainland

Choosing the right structure for your UK-connected business

✈️

Dubai Relocation for UK Agency Owners

Complete guide to relocating your agency to Dubai

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to file a UK tax return if I live in Dubai?
It depends on your UK tax residence status and income sources. If you have UK rental income, UK pension income, or capital gains on UK assets, you likely still need to file. The checklist covers all the scenarios where filing is required.
What changed with non-dom abolition in April 2025?
The remittance basis was abolished on 6 April 2025. UK residents can no longer shelter foreign income from UK tax using non-dom status. A new 4-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) exemption replaced it, with transitional provisions for existing non-doms.
How do I know if I pass the Statutory Residence Test?
The SRT has three parts: the automatic overseas test, the automatic UK test, and the sufficient ties test. You need to count your UK days carefully (including the midnight rule) and assess your UK ties. Our checklist covers this as item 1, and our full SRT guide breaks it down step by step.
Is this checklist relevant if I moved to Dubai recently?
Yes — especially so. The first 2-3 tax years after relocating are the highest risk for HMRC enquiries. Split year treatment, P85 filing, and the 5-year temporary non-residence rule all apply in the years immediately following your move.
Do I need to pay for the checklist?
No. The checklist is completely free. We ask for your email address so we can send you the PDF and follow up with related guidance, but there is no cost.

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Get the Checklist Now

10 HMRC compliance checks for UK nationals in Dubai. Updated for post-non-dom-abolition rules. Free, instant download.

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Need Personalised Advice?

The checklist covers what to check. If you need help with your specific situation — SRT position, non-dom transitional claims, or UAE structure — we can help.

No obligation • UK expat tax specialists