[Expat corner] HMRC ‘special treatment’ for expats stranded in UK by coronavirus

HM Revenue & Customs has issued advice for British expatriates stranded in the UK by coronavirus over tax residence rules, City A.M. reports.

The tax authority will allow special treatment for expatriates facing a risk to their non-residence tax status through being stuck in the UK longer than anticipated. 

Based on Financial Times reporting, British citizens who live abroad but are trapped in the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to apply for “exceptional circumstances”. 

Many countries have already issued travel bans which could require people to remain in the UK unexpectedly. 

HMRC said in a guidance note that it will treat as "exceptional circumstances" people quarantined or self-isolating in the UK, those advised not to travel or unable to travel due to border closures and people asked to return to the country by their employer because of the outbreak.

Speaking to the Financial Times Simon Goldring - a partner at law firm McDermott Will and Emery - said, “The revenue has never done anything like this before,” continuing, “I have never seen the revenue respond so fast to help people.”

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK rose to 6,650 on Monday. The number of deaths increased by 54 to 335. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday evening that people should not leave their homes except to go to work, to buy essential food or medicine or for a single session of daily exercise.

Source: City A.M.

HM Revenue & Customs has issued advice for British expatriates stranded in the UK by coronavirus over tax residence rules, City A.M. reports.

The tax authority will allow special treatment for expatriates facing a risk to their non-residence tax status through being stuck in the UK longer than anticipated. 

Based on Financial Times reporting, British citizens who live abroad but are trapped in the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to apply for “exceptional circumstances”. 

Many countries have already issued travel bans which could require people to remain in the UK unexpectedly. 

HMRC said in a guidance note that it will treat as "exceptional circumstances" people quarantined or self-isolating in the UK, those advised not to travel or unable to travel due to border closures and people asked to return to the country by their employer because of the outbreak.

Speaking to the Financial Times Simon Goldring - a partner at law firm McDermott Will and Emery - said, “The revenue has never done anything like this before,” continuing, “I have never seen the revenue respond so fast to help people.”

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK rose to 6,650 on Monday. The number of deaths increased by 54 to 335. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday evening that people should not leave their homes except to go to work, to buy essential food or medicine or for a single session of daily exercise.

Source: City A.M.