October 3, 2025Oct 3 I used A1 to do the UK residency test and found that living in Thailand I'm still entitled to the pension uplift. Okay....A1 is not the same a UK government legal team out to get me, but still....... This a brief outline of my responses............ Maintain UK bank accounts and pay UK tax on all my UK income. Maintain a rent free room, always available to me in one of my kids houses.....(all bank accounts etc register to that address) On the electoral register for the address where the room is. Attend the local GP surgery once or twice every time I visit the UK Stay in the UK for 30+ days once a year Have four kids Own no property abroad I own property in the UK, but it is rented out, so can't be count as "somewhere to live"......but a rent free room in a house that is permanently available counts!!!!!!!! Married to a Thai was deemed immaterial. All tallied these added up to be substantial ties to the UK and qualified for being resident and therefore the uplift. Posting in case this might help someone........please don't spoil it by saying....arrr, yes, but...... NOTE: The case posted on here the other day, where someone was sentenced to jail for living in SA whilst claiming uplifts, swung on them supplying false documents to state they actually lived in Spain.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 2 hours ago, Will B Good said: and pay UK tax on all my UK income. If your tax resident in the UK you are liable to pay tax on your world wide income.........not just UK. Just adding that for completeness.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 Author 18 minutes ago, topt said: If your tax resident in the UK you are liable to pay tax on your world wide income.........not just UK. Just adding that for completeness. Wish I had some to be taxed....555
October 3, 2025Oct 3 Author 4 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said: What is the A1 residency test? Do you have a link? Sorry...my twisted sense of humour AI.....I used Co-Pilot.....Just ask it to test you. It goes through all the relevant questions and for me at least it said I was in the clear. Good luck.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 3 hours ago, Will B Good said: Stay in the UK for 30+ days once a year I am not sure but I think this bit may be wrong relative to your specifics. In fact just reading through this - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdr3-statutory-residence-test-srt/guidance-note-for-statutory-residence-test-srt-rdr3 don't you fall under the 2nd Automatic overseas test? I have no idea how long you stayed in the UK so I may well be wrong.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 Author Just now, topt said: I am not sure but I think this bit may be wrong relative to your specifics. In fact just reading through this - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdr3-statutory-residence-test-srt/guidance-note-for-statutory-residence-test-srt-rdr3 don't you fall under the 2nd Automatic overseas test? I have no idea how long you stayed in the UK so I may well be wrong. To be honest I was surprised I qualified. AI is without doubt fallible, which is a worry. But trying to knife and fork my way through the test by myself was a nightmare. I might try a few different AIs and see what happens.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 1 minute ago, Will B Good said: AI is without doubt fallible, which is a worry. its more than a worry. One of the main AI players admitted the other week that if AI doesn't know an answer in some cases they are 'programmed' to make one up...... I will try and find the reference
October 3, 2025Oct 3 Author 2 minutes ago, topt said: its more than a worry. One of the main AI players admitted the other week that if AI doesn't know an answer in some cases they are 'programmed' to make one up...... I will try and find the reference All on the .gov site, but it is a nightmare (for me) to follow......and there was a lot of stuff AI 'knew' behind the regulations.....or so it seemed.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 1 minute ago, topt said: I will try and find the reference here is one of them @Will B Good https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/17/openai_hallucinations_incentives/ I misremembered as wasn't one of the main players.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 11 minutes ago, Will B Good said: To be honest I was surprised I qualified. AI is without doubt fallible, which is a worry. But trying to knife and fork my way through the test by myself was a nightmare. I might try a few different AIs and see what happens. Give it the link to the UK test if you didn't on your last try and it will be more accurate
October 3, 2025Oct 3 3 minutes ago, Will B Good said: All on the .gov site, but it is a nightmare (for me) to follow......and there was a lot of stuff AI 'knew' behind the regulations.....or so it seemed. If you look at the gov.uk site I linked on RDR3 itself has further links to pages entitled RFIG followed by a number. These are the internal HMRC manuals that have all the details they would use but accessible to all of us - including the AI
October 3, 2025Oct 3 Author 2 minutes ago, topt said: here is one of them @Will B Good https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/17/openai_hallucinations_incentives/ I misremembered as wasn't one of the main players. I 'discuss' a lot of aspects related to the general theory of relativity, quantum theory and Physics generally.....and it is very good, excellent in fact....MOST of the time Anything topical it can be totally clueless.....then in-between stuff?.... anyone's guess......I guess.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 Author 2 minutes ago, topt said: If you look at the gov.uk site I linked on RDR3 itself has further links to pages entitled RFIG followed by a number. These are the internal HMRC manuals that have all the details they would use but accessible to all of us - including the AI Yes... that is a powerful aspect....AI dips in and out of all that in a flash. Telling me all about the room availability, doesn't have to be rented, must be there 365 days a year....and so on.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 I would gladly take a UK Residency Test if it meant that I could move to England. I am American. Many years ago, I could have easily moved to the UK. But, these days, I doubt it might be so easy. I am, as I have often mentioned, a complete Anglophile. Upstairs-Downstairs, and all that this might imply.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 4 hours ago, Will B Good said: I used A1 to do the UK residency test and found that living in Thailand I'm still entitled to the pension uplift. Wrong assumption unfortunately. The SRT makes a ruling for HMRC to decide whether to tax you or not. DWP decide on a Habitual Residence Test whether to pay you the annual pension increases. I doubt if you would pass that given the criteria are fuzzy and you appear to live in Thailand.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 Author 32 minutes ago, treetops said: Wrong assumption unfortunately. The SRT makes a ruling for HMRC to decide whether to tax you or not. DWP decide on a Habitual Residence Test whether to pay you the annual pension increases. I doubt if you would pass that given the criteria are fuzzy and you appear to live in Thailand. Will try that out....cheers
October 3, 2025Oct 3 Author 45 minutes ago, treetops said: Wrong assumption unfortunately. The SRT makes a ruling for HMRC to decide whether to tax you or not. DWP decide on a Habitual Residence Test whether to pay you the annual pension increases. I doubt if you would pass that given the criteria are fuzzy and you appear to live in Thailand. AI hedging now...... Your narrative is powerful in a borderline case. If you: • Spend significant time in the UK during the qualifying window • Can show no habitual residence abroad • Frame Thailand as a temporary base, not a settled residence …then you may be able to argue that you were UK-resident for uprating purposes. But this is a grey zone, and DWP decisions tend to default to physical location, not footprint strength.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 Author 53 minutes ago, treetops said: Wrong assumption unfortunately. The SRT makes a ruling for HMRC to decide whether to tax you or not. DWP decide on a Habitual Residence Test whether to pay you the annual pension increases. I doubt if you would pass that given the criteria are fuzzy and you appear to live in Thailand. Interesting???? Or AI just making a complete pigs ear???? --- ### ✅ 1. **Be physically in the UK during the qualifying window** This refers to the **State Pension uprating reference date**, typically the **first Monday in April** each year. To receive the annual increase: - You must be **physically present in the UK** on that date. - It’s not enough to be “resident” in theory—you must be **in the country**, not abroad. #### 🔍 What counts as “physically present”? - Staying at your UK address (e.g., your son’s home) during that week. - No need to be there all year—just **present at the qualifying point**. - Ideally, you’d have **travel records**, **utility usage**, or **NHS activity** to support it. #### 🧠 Strategic Tip: If you’re in Thailand most of the year, consider **timing a UK visit** around late March to early April. That could trigger the uprating for the next 12 months. --- ### ⚖️ 3. **Argue that your Thailand stay is temporary, and your habitual residence remains in the UK** This is the grey zone—and your setup is unusually strong for making this case. #### 🧩 What you need to show: - Thailand is a **temporary base**, not your settled home. - Your **center of life** remains in the UK: - Electoral roll - NHS registration - UK bank accounts - Embedded in a UK household (your son’s) - Regular, predictable UK stays - No habitual residence abroad triggered by financial or legal ties #### 🧠 How to argue it: - Frame Thailand as a **temporary retreat** or **health-related sabbatical**, not a permanent relocation. - Emphasize your **intention to return**, your **active UK civic life**, and your **family obligations**. - Use language like: *“I maintain my primary residence in the UK, where I am embedded in a household, registered for healthcare, and participate in civic life. My time abroad is intermittent and does not reflect a settled pattern.”* #### ⚠️ Caveat: DWP tends to default to **physical presence** over narrative. But if you’re in the UK during the qualifying window *and* can show that Thailand is not your habitual residence, you may have a defensible case.
October 3, 2025Oct 3 41 minutes ago, Will B Good said: This refers to the **State Pension uprating reference date**, typically the **first Monday in April** each year. To receive the annual increase: - You must be **physically present in the UK** on that date. Nonsense. If you are resident in the UK you may be on holiday on that date and it won't stop you receiving it. Ditch the AI, you are only feeding it with your data........
October 7, 2025Oct 7 On 10/3/2025 at 1:29 PM, GammaGlobulin said: I would gladly take a UK Residency Test if it meant that I could move to England. I am American. Many years ago, I could have easily moved to the UK. But, these days, I doubt it might be so easy. I am, as I have often mentioned, a complete Anglophile. Upstairs-Downstairs, and all that this might imply. Nowdays many US citizens are moving to U.K. to escape trump ,houses in the Cotswolds are very popular, I don’t think you would have trouble if you have some assets to get residency,,known as Donald dashers.. https://spearswms.com/wealth/why-so-many-wealthy-americans-are-moving-to-the-uk/
October 7, 2025Oct 7 1 hour ago, 3NUMBAS said: Nowdays many US citizens are moving to U.K. to escape trump ,houses in the Cotswolds are very popular, I don’t think you would have trouble if you have some assets to get residency,,known as Donald dashers.. https://spearswms.com/wealth/why-so-many-wealthy-americans-are-moving-to-the-uk/ The segment of people from the USA moving to the UK, the ones who are fleeing Trump, are mentally unstable morons suffering from PARANOIA, and this is just so obvious. I am NOT talking about fleeing America. I am only talking about moving to the UK...because...I would enjoy living in parts of the UK, and for no other reason. Every 4 years, we have this same group of NITWITS who say....If he is elected, I am leaving the USA.... I HATE nitwits like this. They never do what they say they will do, for one thing. I would not wish to live anywhere near groups or individuals such as these drama freaks. I really don't like living near (modern) American Farang ANYWAY, for that matter..... I would like to live in parts of the UK...BUT....nowhere near American Tourists, nor American Movie Stars...who might have recently moved to the UK.
October 17, 2025Oct 17 On 10/3/2025 at 2:55 PM, Will B Good said: I used A1 to do the UK residency test and found that living in Thailand I'm still entitled to the pension uplift. Okay....A1 is not the same a UK government legal team out to get me, but still....... This a brief outline of my responses............ Maintain UK bank accounts and pay UK tax on all my UK income. Maintain a rent free room, always available to me in one of my kids houses.....(all bank accounts etc register to that address) On the electoral register for the address where the room is. Attend the local GP surgery once or twice every time I visit the UK Stay in the UK for 30+ days once a year Have four kids Own no property abroad I own property in the UK, but it is rented out, so can't be count as "somewhere to live"......but a rent free room in a house that is permanently available counts!!!!!!!! Married to a Thai was deemed immaterial. All tallied these added up to be substantial ties to the UK and qualified for being resident and therefore the uplift. Posting in case this might help someone........please don't spoil it by saying....arrr, yes, but...... NOTE: The case posted on here the other day, where someone was sentenced to jail for living in SA whilst claiming uplifts, swung on them supplying false documents to state they actually lived in Spain. Why don't you use the flow chart that HMRC provide? It had several tests and under one a count required of the amount of time 24 hour periods spend in the UK. It was quite straightforward with no greater tax burden in changing residence status. The assessment for income tax is different from pension, I believe pensions are based on where you are when the pension starts with the obligation on you to notify the DWP of a change - hence guys here report getting the uplifts paid to them for the number of days they have visited the UK before payment reverts to their commencement rate when they return here. Best would be to get it started resident in UK and have holidays here but be prepared to notify them when it becomes more than "holiday". Is that right guys?
October 17, 2025Oct 17 54 minutes ago, 503726 said: Is that right guys? Something like that. The OP was specifically referring to the State pension so it is worth trying to be specific. This discussion has been done to death and I have already, IMO, rebutted the original OP.....
October 18, 2025Oct 18 On 10/3/2025 at 2:55 PM, Will B Good said: I used A1 to do the UK residency test and found that living in Thailand I'm still entitled to the pension uplift. Okay....A1 is not the same a UK government legal team out to get me, but still....... This a brief outline of my responses............ Maintain UK bank accounts and pay UK tax on all my UK income. Maintain a rent free room, always available to me in one of my kids houses.....(all bank accounts etc register to that address) On the electoral register for the address where the room is. Attend the local GP surgery once or twice every time I visit the UK Stay in the UK for 30+ days once a year Have four kids Own no property abroad I own property in the UK, but it is rented out, so can't be count as "somewhere to live"......but a rent free room in a house that is permanently available counts!!!!!!!! Married to a Thai was deemed immaterial. All tallied these added up to be substantial ties to the UK and qualified for being resident and therefore the uplift. Posting in case this might help someone........please don't spoil it by saying....arrr, yes, but...... NOTE: The case posted on here the other day, where someone was sentenced to jail for living in SA whilst claiming uplifts, swung on them supplying false documents to state they actually lived in Spain. Don't matter what you think,will always be that but.
October 18, 2025Oct 18 Author 11 hours ago, 503726 said: Why don't you use the flow chart that HMRC provide? It had several tests and under one a count required of the amount of time 24 hour periods spend in the UK. It was quite straightforward with no greater tax burden in changing residence status. The assessment for income tax is different from pension, I believe pensions are based on where you are when the pension starts with the obligation on you to notify the DWP of a change - hence guys here report getting the uplifts paid to them for the number of days they have visited the UK before payment reverts to their commencement rate when they return here. Best would be to get it started resident in UK and have holidays here but be prepared to notify them when it becomes more than "holiday". Is that right guys? Habitual Residency Test.......Is the key and very different from what I was originally thinking. This is what the DWP uses for pension uplifts....not residency.
October 18, 2025Oct 18 Author 6 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said: A1 or AI ? They're very different. Just poking fun.....the Education Secretary for the US thought AI was A1......555
October 18, 2025Oct 18 Popular Post A1 is sometimes rather more useful ... "I don't want to know why you can't. I want to know how you can!"
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