Is Tax my Responsibility, can my UK company ask to pay UK tax?

[ChristineC]

Hi, I’m working remotely for a British firm and they want me to start PAYE. I’d rather pay tax in Thailand and didn’t even think it was possible to pay tax in the UK if a tax resident in Thailand, is it?

I’ve sent them the following - if I am non-resident for UK tax purposes and perform my work entirely from Thailand, I am not subject to UK income tax under HMRC rules. I understand PAYE is not applicable in this case, and I am happy to apply for an NT tax code or provide documentation if required for HMRC compliance.
Is Tax in Thailand my personal responsibility as a fiscal resident here?

[Celsius]

I don't think you get it.

 

Even as a non resident you will pay tax on UK income. Same if you had a property in UK and lived in Thailand.  You would pay a non resident tax to UK. Its a British company so you are screwed. You'll probably be taxed at higher rates than non residents.

 

[ukrules]

I suggest changing employer to say a US company, then you could avoid any and all tax in the UK whilst non resident.

If you work for a UK company then you're not going to be able to wiggle out of it as it is UK sourced income from a UK company.

[ChristineC]

2 hours ago, Celsius said:

I don't think you get it.

 

Even as a non resident you will pay tax on UK income. Same if you had a property in UK and lived in Thailand.  You would pay a non resident tax to UK. Its a British company so you are screwed. You'll probably be taxed at higher rates than non residents.

 

No, I don’t get it , why I’m asking.

 

From internet

Whether you need to pay UK tax while living and working in Thailand for a UK company depends on your residency status and the nature of your income. Here's a clear breakdown:

🇬🇧 UK Tax Residency Rules

The UK uses the Statutory Residence Test (SRT) to determine if you're a UK tax resident. You're generally not a UK tax resident if:

You've spent fewer than 16 days in the UK during the tax year (or fewer than 91 days if you're a non-resident for the previous 3 years).

You work full-time overseas (at least 35 hours/week) and spend fewer than 91 days in the UK, with no more than 30 workdays in the UK.

✅ If you are not UK tax resident, then you do not pay UK income tax on your foreign earnings — even if the company is based in the UK.

 

i haven’t been to the UK for over 5 years.

[ChristineC]

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

I suggest changing employer to say a US company, then you could avoid any and all tax in the UK whilst non resident.

If you work for a UK company then you're not going to be able to wiggle out of it as it is UK sourced income from a UK company.

Interesting, thanks.

Even if I provide an NT code and proof of paying tax in Thailand?

[soi3eddie]

Do you have an employment contract with the UK company?

Are you totally freelance?

Could you not simply invoice the UK "employer" for your services?

I

 

 

[Celsius]

1 hour ago, ChristineC said:

No, I don’t get it , why I’m asking.

 

From internet

Whether you need to pay UK tax while living and working in Thailand for a UK company depends on your residency status and the nature of your income. Here's a clear breakdown:

🇬🇧 UK Tax Residency Rules

The UK uses the Statutory Residence Test (SRT) to determine if you're a UK tax resident. You're generally not a UK tax resident if:

You've spent fewer than 16 days in the UK during the tax year (or fewer than 91 days if you're a non-resident for the previous 3 years).

You work full-time overseas (at least 35 hours/week) and spend fewer than 91 days in the UK, with no more than 30 workdays in the UK.

✅ If you are not UK tax resident, then you do not pay UK income tax on your foreign earnings — even if the company is based in the UK.

 

i haven’t been to the UK for over 5 years.

 

The way it works is that Taxman has the final say. Not me, not the internet.

 

You need to hire a UK accountant.

 

The problem is your employer probably has a system in place and does not care where you live. They are very likely to report you to taxman as a British citizen. Actually they already did. How else would they be able to claim their expenses?

 

Hire the accountant like I did when I was out of Canada for 12 years. You being out of UK for 5 years does not mean you don't have to pay tax. 

 

 

[cjinchiangrai]

Not sure about UK law but I would bet no, because the company paid taxes would also be taxable income.