A British Ex-pat's Dilemma

[billd766]

its time to give a heads up to you brits married to a thai. apply for the additional pention (adult dependancy increase ) . this will give you another 200 squid a month = 10k bt. ish. if you need more info, contact. regards.

My pension is due in May this year so I asked for a forecast back in December.

It will be sent to me at home but I will get my wife to send it over as I am working in NZ at the moment.

I finally got a state pension forecast finally this week.

It seems that at the current rates I will receive the following pension after 44 years contributions

£94.88 per week made up as follows

Basic state pension £90.70

payable additional pension £00.23

Graduated pension £03.95

In addition my wife is to receive 60% of my basic state pension equalling £54.35 per week

Therefore in May I will be entitled to £149.23 frozen at that rate for the rest of my natual life or until 2020 when my wifes element is removed. :jerk:

Oh I have just remembered one thing.

I have to pay tax on this money even though I am no longer entitled to any benefits. :D

[Mali1964]

I have to pay tax on this money even though I am no longer entitled to any benefits.

You are entitleled to benefits, just not when living overseas its called Pension Credit which gives the elderly without the state pension a minimum amount per week think its around £120.

Also you would be entitled to winter fuel payments & a few other small help add on's its not the states fault your in Thailand sorry.

Edited February 4, 2009 by Mali1964

[scotsman]

I Think billd766 means that you pay income tax on all your pensions but when you go back to the uk for a holiday you do not get any benefits like free medical care that you help to pay for.

[Mali1964]

I Think billd766 means that you pay income tax on all your pensions but when you go back to the uk for a holiday you do not get any benefits like free medical care that you help to pay for.

I don't understand this go back to UK, no medical care bit' I've seen similar things mentioned before are you saying there's a rule that says no NHS no more mate, you don't live here no more or pay taxes.

Then what about the long term benefits people they don't pay tax or NI

How does/would your Dr Know unless you tell him?

My farther lives in the States & fell ill, is insurance there wouldn't pay so he flew home had a triple heart by pass no questions asked though he had paid UK tax for forty years plus, but i just can't see the NHS in the UK refusing you on grounds of being out of the country, would love to see the rule if there is one & how the hel_l they enforce it.

[MaiChai]

I believe the visa situation is pretty unfair in Thailand. In most other countries, if you are married to a local or a parent of a local, then you have rights to reside. In Thailand this does not apply. It depends on how old you are and how much money you have. In addition, you will never have full rights like a local. In most western countries, once you are married to a local, and meet the requirements to stay, for all intensive purposes you are treated equal to a local. I hate to say this, but its true: Thais (in general) are racist and they are money orientated. Equal rights for all don't come into it. I have lived on and off in Thailand for 14 years, so I know what I am talking about.

The reason I decided to post here is because I am also concerned about being able to retire in Thailand. Until foreigners are treated equally (when they have a Thai spouse/children), then I will never give up the ability to return to my home country, and thus will retain a presence there (such as a house, etc).

There is one thing I never see discussed here at TV; what happens when you retire here and become so decrepit and old that you don't know whats going on around you? Who is going to take care of you and your finances (and could you trust you Thai spouse?). I believe if you come from a country like the UK, you will need to return so the state can take care of you, because a socialist state care system does not exist in Thailand for foreigners! Well you could buy it if you have the money

[R123]

I have always understood that immigration want your money in a savings account to show you are using the money on a daily basis.After you receive the extension there's nothing to stop you transferring a portion to a fixed term if you want to.

Strangely enough i have heard of people waving the same 800,000 Baht to Immigration year after year

No movement on the account since its 1st (and only) entry of the said monies.

Penkoprod

There is nothing in the requirements for movements in accounts since the first entry; that is the reason people use the same 800,000 every year for retirement extensions as the aforesaid sum kept in tact in the account conforms to the necessary and current rules no matter how many years or extensions.

If I am not correct in that show me where it says otherwise.

Why are some posters propagating this myth that immigration need to see the 800,000 spent?

Read the rules, please.

[Freddie_fly]

Hold tight ... if you can. Things are going to change. The Thai Baht is under huge pressure (because of its relative value) and Thai exports are suffering big time.

The Baht will "tumble" sometime over the next 6 - 12months - i really cant see it been able to sustain its relative position for much longer. Knowing how the authorities like to hide bad news, when that tumble comes it will be fast and quick.

Unfortunately for we Brits, it's not the strong Baht that is the problem.

The GBP has taken a nose-dive against every other nation's currency (with the possible exception of those small Amazonian tribes who trade with beads and mirrors).

Actually I believe the pound has risen considerably against the Matagonian gumbo bean.....................................

[loong]

There is nothing in the requirements for movements in accounts since the first entry; that is the reason people use the same 800,000 every year for retirement extensions as the aforesaid sum kept in tact in the account conforms to the necessary and current rules no matter how many years or extensions.

If I am not correct in that show me where it says otherwise.

Why are some posters propagating this myth that immigration need to see the 800,000 spent?

Read the rules, please

We all know that the real rules are the way the immigration officer interprets them. I have heard of applicants being asked how they survive as they are apparently not spending any money. If the officer suspects that you may be working illegally in Thailand, he may well ask for proof of how you are living. It is sensible to use money from your bank account and then top it up. No need to spend the whole 800,000 though.

Who knows when they are likely to change the rules to include proof of spending as well?

[James53]

I Think billd766 means that you pay income tax on all your pensions but when you go back to the uk for a holiday you do not get any benefits like free medical care that you help to pay for.

I don't understand this go back to UK, no medical care bit' I've seen similar things mentioned before are you saying there's a rule that says no NHS no more mate, you don't live here no more or pay taxes.

Then what about the long term benefits people they don't pay tax or NI

How does/would your Dr Know unless you tell him?

My farther lives in the States & fell ill, is insurance there wouldn't pay so he flew home had a triple heart by pass no questions asked though he had paid UK tax for forty years plus, but i just can't see the NHS in the UK refusing you on grounds of being out of the country, would love to see the rule if there is one & how the hel_l they enforce it.

Yea quite correct, to get NHS you have to resident. Doesn't matter that you paid in all your life. On the other hand you can be an NHS tourist, a rich Arab with the use of an address in Englang and bingo, free NHS treatment.

[geeky]

2: The Thai authorities will devalue the baht (because everybody else is doing that with their currencies) It is simple sense and will happen in due course.

yeah, you would think so, wouldn't ya ... tell me, when was the last time you saw a Thai doing something logical that makes sense?

[Ricardo]

its not the states fault your in Thailand sorry.

As a free Englishman, I take the view, that it is none of the government's business to care where I am ! Big Brother does not rule, unless the sheep let him.

2: The Thai authorities will devalue the baht (because everybody else is doing that with their currencies) It is simple sense and will happen in due course.

yeah, you would think so, wouldn't ya ... tell me, when was the last time you saw a Thai doing something logical that makes sense?

erm ... every week, when my wife asks me for the housekeeping-money, or does that not count ?

[apetley]

Actually I believe the pound has risen considerably against the Matagonian gumbo bean.....................................

Matagonia here I come!

Does Thaivisa Travel offer cheap flights?

[samuibeachcomber]

I have always understood that immigration want your money in a savings account to show you are using the money on a daily basis.After you receive the extension there's nothing to stop you transferring a portion to a fixed term if you want to.

Strangely enough i have heard of people waving the same 800,000 Baht to Immigration year after year

No movement on the account since its 1st (and only) entry of the said monies.

Penkoprod

There is nothing in the requirements for movements in accounts since the first entry; that is the reason people use the same 800,000 every year for retirement extensions as the aforesaid sum kept in tact in the account conforms to the necessary and current rules no matter how many years or extensions.

If I am not correct in that show me where it says otherwise.

Why are some posters propagating this myth that immigration need to see the 800,000 spent?

Read the rules, please.

i beg to differ,they need to see an account that shows you are using it on a daily basis.you can have an account that always shows you have 800,000baht for retirement extension purposes,but they may ask to see another account that you are using daily,otherwise ,yes an immigration officer will ask "what are you living on" if all you show is an unused account continually showing the 800,000 baht untouched.common sense surely!

[ubonjoe]

i beg to differ,they need to see an account that shows you are using it on a daily basis.you can have an account that always shows you have 800,000baht for retirement extension purposes,but they may ask to see another account that you are using daily,otherwise ,yes an immigration officer will ask "what are you living on" if all you show is an unused account continually showing the 800,000 baht untouched.common sense surely!

Agree

It may not be a written rule but there have been several reports on the visa forum that immigration wants to see activity in an account. This as said can be done by having another account that shows activity.

Even in cases where a letter showing income is used immigration has been reported as asking to see a bank account showing transfers and withdrawls.

[kokesaat]

I have always understood that immigration want your money in a savings account to show you are using the money on a daily basis.After you receive the extension there's nothing to stop you transferring a portion to a fixed term if you want to.

Strangely enough i have heard of people waving the same 800,000 Baht to Immigration year after year

No movement on the account since its 1st (and only) entry of the said monies.

Penkoprod

There is nothing in the requirements for movements in accounts since the first entry; that is the reason people use the same 800,000 every year for retirement extensions as the aforesaid sum kept in tact in the account conforms to the necessary and current rules no matter how many years or extensions.

If I am not correct in that show me where it says otherwise.

Why are some posters propagating this myth that immigration need to see the 800,000 spent?

Read the rules, please.

i beg to differ,they need to see an account that shows you are using it on a daily basis.you can have an account that always shows you have 800,000baht for retirement extension purposes,but they may ask to see another account that you are using daily,otherwise ,yes an immigration officer will ask "what are you living on" if all you show is an unused account continually showing the 800,000 baht untouched.common sense surely!

I've been doing retirement visas for 6ish years.......show my 800k in a bank account that I rarely add to or use. Instead I use a stateside ATM to provide day to day living expenses. The folks at Nongkai seem satisfied that I have the money in the bank and have never called into question my day-to-day expenses.

[billd766]

I have to pay tax on this money even though I am no longer entitled to any benefits.

You are entitleled to benefits, just not when living overseas its called Pension Credit which gives the elderly without the state pension a minimum amount per week think its around £120.

Also you would be entitled to winter fuel payments & a few other small help add on's its not the states fault your in Thailand sorry.

Would it be OK if I were to live in the Philippines?

If I did then I WOULD be entitled to annual pension increments whilst still living outside the country that I was born in and in whose military I served for 25 years, whose government I served as a civil servant for 5 years.

It is still the same government irrespective of which country that I live in so in fact it is the state discriminating against me and several million other citizens of the UK who choose to live where they wish to live.

This of course is perfectly legal under the current laws of the UK and the more people that live abroad the more money the UK saves in medical costs that they don't have to pay out.

just as a point of interest I found the following on the first page I googled,

At least £2.6bn in UK benefits was lost to fraud and errors in the last financial year.

Official statistics confirmed that 2% of the total benefit bill was overpaid between April 2007 and March this year.

The figure, the same amount as in 2005-6, included a £380m overspend on Pension Credit - 5.1% of the total spending on that benefit

The source

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7701668.stm

[Mali1964]

I Think billd766 means that you pay income tax on all your pensions but when you go back to the uk for a holiday you do not get any benefits like free medical care that you help to pay for.

I don't understand this go back to UK, no medical care bit' I've seen similar things mentioned before are you saying there's a rule that says no NHS no more mate, you don't live here no more or pay taxes.

Then what about the long term benefits people they don't pay tax or NI

How does/would your Dr Know unless you tell him?

My farther lives in the States & fell ill, is insurance there wouldn't pay so he flew home had a triple heart by pass no questions asked though he had paid UK tax for forty years plus, but i just can't see the NHS in the UK refusing you on grounds of being out of the country, would love to see the rule if there is one & how the hel_l they enforce it.

Yea quite correct, to get NHS you have to resident. Doesn't matter that you paid in all your life. On the other hand you can be an NHS tourist, a rich Arab with the use of an address in Englang and bingo, free NHS treatment.

So why would you become non resident in the UK what benifits are there, when your a full UK citizen?

If your retired here in Thailand most only get 1 year to stay at a time, but if you have a serous illness & moneys tight even with insurance i may well consider going home to the UK how would a Retirement visa here make me non resident of my home country with a UK passport.

As i mentioned earlier my father came back from the US for a triple heart by pass he has a green card/US passport & lived there for 20+ years he had no problems, still can't understand how the NHS would know you do not live in the UK unless you told them.

OK if your meaning paying for insurance here & are happy to have a major opp here then it sounds like you feel your Tax's/Service should entitle you to the UK paying for your medical bills in Thailand.

Your surely not refuring to having no UK address are you? Surely even with no family someone would let you use there address to stay registered with your GP.

[chiang mai]

I Think billd766 means that you pay income tax on all your pensions but when you go back to the uk for a holiday you do not get any benefits like free medical care that you help to pay for.

I don't understand this go back to UK, no medical care bit' I've seen similar things mentioned before are you saying there's a rule that says no NHS no more mate, you don't live here no more or pay taxes.

Then what about the long term benefits people they don't pay tax or NI

How does/would your Dr Know unless you tell him?

My farther lives in the States & fell ill, is insurance there wouldn't pay so he flew home had a triple heart by pass no questions asked though he had paid UK tax for forty years plus, but i just can't see the NHS in the UK refusing you on grounds of being out of the country, would love to see the rule if there is one & how the hel_l they enforce it.

Yea quite correct, to get NHS you have to resident. Doesn't matter that you paid in all your life. On the other hand you can be an NHS tourist, a rich Arab with the use of an address in Englang and bingo, free NHS treatment.

So why would you become non resident in the UK what benifits are there, when your a full UK citizen?

If your retired here in Thailand most only get 1 year to stay at a time, but if you have a serous illness & moneys tight even with insurance i may well consider going home to the UK how would a Retirement visa here make me non resident of my home country with a UK passport.

As i mentioned earlier my father came back from the US for a triple heart by pass he has a green card/US passport & lived there for 20+ years he had no problems, still can't understand how the NHS would know you do not live in the UK unless you told them.

OK if your meaning paying for insurance here & are happy to have a major opp here then it sounds like you feel your Tax's/Service should entitle you to the UK paying for your medical bills in Thailand.

Your surely not refuring to having no UK address are you? Surely even with no family someone would let you use there address to stay registered with your GP.

One of the benefits of becoming non-resident (for tax purposes) is that you don't have to pay tax on your interest income earned on ON or OFF shore, for me that's the major reason. BTW, I am a UK citizen. The rules for becoming non-resident include not having any assets in the UK (such as property) and that you have been absent from the UK for X days or spend Y days outside the UK each year - sorry I don't know any longer what X or Y equals in this respect since the rules keep changing.

On the other point, the UK NHS will provide free treatment to UK citizens in the event of an emergency, regardless of time spent in or out of the UK. The provision of free treatment other than of an emergency nature requires residency for six months prior.

Edited February 5, 2009 by chiang mai

[Mali1964]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

For me though if in the future i become non resident which is unlikely, i would still keep my Doctors under my daughters address for the very point above, or does becoming a non resident wipe out your NI number & all other forms of ID?? This i can't see because I'm sure most of you still hold a UK passport?? Resident or not. Its for Tax purpose's as you kindly pointed out.

Its this can't use your NHS bit that really bothers me, who's right who's wrong ?? Why would & how would they remove this benefit from you if your willing to fly back home.

[chiang mai]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

For me though if in the future i become non resident which is unlikely, i would still keep my Doctors under my daughters address for the very point above, or does becoming a non resident wipe out your NI number & all other forms of ID?? This i can't see because I'm sure most of you still hold a UK passport?? Resident or not. Its for Tax purpose's as you kindly pointed out.

Its this can't use your NHS bit that really bothers me, who's right who's wrong ?? Why would & how would they remove this benefit from you if your willing to fly back home.

The computer systems between the various agencies in the UK are becoming increasingly linked, tell one agency such as the tax authorities that you are no longer resident and many of the other agencies also share in that information. Most UK residents become non-resident for tax purposes and as much as we dislike our governments at various times, they are not entirely stupid and recognize this fact. It therefore follows that if a UK citizen is not resident for tax purposes they are not resident for NHS purposes either.

From experience if a UK doctor finds out that you no longer live at your previous address or that you have moved overseas, the Doctor will send your records back to the central NHS records store who will wait for you to re-register with a new doctor. The only way around this as far as I can tell is to maintain contact with your UK doctor by going to see him/her once or twice a year and make sure they do not become aware of your move overseas - if you do otherwise you have just elevated yourself into the class of being an NHS tourist.

There's a third element of all of this and that is a question about where you would actually get the best medical care, for my money I reckon Thailand represents a very good alternative to the UK, albeit it is on a paid basis.

[gennisis]

I have to pay tax on this money even though I am no longer entitled to any benefits.

You are entitleled to benefits, just not when living overseas its called Pension Credit which gives the elderly without the state pension a minimum amount per week think its around £120.

Also you would be entitled to winter fuel payments & a few other small help add on's its not the states fault your in Thailand sorry.

Thia post about paying tax on his pension is not correct.

A personal allowance is approx 9000 pounds a year. If he is married then both get this allowance before tax.

If he has other income then once the allowance is breached then,yes,tax is then due on the excess.

I have a state pension of 137 pounds a week on which NO tax is due. I have other pensions and tax is deducted from these .

[Mali1964]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

For me though if in the future i become non resident which is unlikely, i would still keep my Doctors under my daughters address for the very point above, or does becoming a non resident wipe out your NI number & all other forms of ID?? This i can't see because I'm sure most of you still hold a UK passport?? Resident or not. Its for Tax purpose's as you kindly pointed out.

Its this can't use your NHS bit that really bothers me, who's right who's wrong ?? Why would & how would they remove this benefit from you if your willing to fly back home.

The computer systems between the various agencies in the UK are becoming increasingly linked, tell one agency such as the tax authorities that you are no longer resident and many of the other agencies also share in that information. Most UK residents become non-resident for tax purposes and as much as we dislike our governments at various times, they are not entirely stupid and recognize this fact. It therefore follows that if a UK citizen is not resident for tax purposes they are not resident for NHS purposes either.

From experience if a UK doctor finds out that you no longer live at your previous address or that you have moved overseas, the Doctor will send your records back to the central NHS records store who will wait for you to re-register with a new doctor. The only way around this as far as I can tell is to maintain contact with your UK doctor by going to see him/her once or twice a year and make sure they do not become aware of your move overseas - if you do otherwise you have just elevated yourself into the class of being an NHS tourist.

There's a third element of all of this and that is a question about where you would actually get the best medical care, for my money I reckon Thailand represents a very good alternative to the UK, albeit it is on a paid basis.

Thanks Chaing Mia for that very interesting stuff.

So really it boils down to keeping a UK C/O address, keeping or as in my case having a good relationship with your Doctor my doctor knows were i am, but I'm still resident in the sense that I've filed no papers with the Tax office etc, bit of a mine field this but its nice to now some of the rules though so you know to keep quiet

Yes i hear the Hospitals here are good but I'm not ready yet to give it a test, I'm in reasonable heath except for having Bipolar, but i manage well most of the time don't want to end up in Ubon Hospital now do i

[loong]

From experience if a UK doctor finds out that you no longer live at your previous address or that you have moved overseas, the Doctor will send your records back to the central NHS records store who will wait for you to re-register with a new doctor. The only way around this as far as I can tell is to maintain contact with your UK doctor by going to see him/her once or twice a year and make sure they do not become aware of your move overseas - if you do otherwise you have just elevated yourself into the class of being an NHS tourist.

I always thought that the doctor gets paid according to how many patients ther are on the books. If that is right, I can't believe that they would care that they never see a patient as they are getting money for nothing.

[chiang mai]

From experience if a UK doctor finds out that you no longer live at your previous address or that you have moved overseas, the Doctor will send your records back to the central NHS records store who will wait for you to re-register with a new doctor. The only way around this as far as I can tell is to maintain contact with your UK doctor by going to see him/her once or twice a year and make sure they do not become aware of your move overseas - if you do otherwise you have just elevated yourself into the class of being an NHS tourist.

I always thought that the doctor gets paid according to how many patients ther are on the books. If that is right, I can't believe that they would care that they never see a patient as they are getting money for nothing.

I refer back to my earlier statement about computer systems being linked. Doctors don't necessarily have to give patients back to NHS Central but more they are taken away by them.

[chiang mai]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

For me though if in the future i become non resident which is unlikely, i would still keep my Doctors under my daughters address for the very point above, or does becoming a non resident wipe out your NI number & all other forms of ID?? This i can't see because I'm sure most of you still hold a UK passport?? Resident or not. Its for Tax purpose's as you kindly pointed out.

Its this can't use your NHS bit that really bothers me, who's right who's wrong ?? Why would & how would they remove this benefit from you if your willing to fly back home.

The computer systems between the various agencies in the UK are becoming increasingly linked, tell one agency such as the tax authorities that you are no longer resident and many of the other agencies also share in that information. Most UK residents become non-resident for tax purposes and as much as we dislike our governments at various times, they are not entirely stupid and recognize this fact. It therefore follows that if a UK citizen is not resident for tax purposes they are not resident for NHS purposes either.

From experience if a UK doctor finds out that you no longer live at your previous address or that you have moved overseas, the Doctor will send your records back to the central NHS records store who will wait for you to re-register with a new doctor. The only way around this as far as I can tell is to maintain contact with your UK doctor by going to see him/her once or twice a year and make sure they do not become aware of your move overseas - if you do otherwise you have just elevated yourself into the class of being an NHS tourist.

There's a third element of all of this and that is a question about where you would actually get the best medical care, for my money I reckon Thailand represents a very good alternative to the UK, albeit it is on a paid basis.

Thanks Chaing Mia for that very interesting stuff.

So really it boils down to keeping a UK C/O address, keeping or as in my case having a good relationship with your Doctor my doctor knows were i am, but I'm still resident in the sense that I've filed no papers with the Tax office etc, bit of a mine field this but its nice to now some of the rules though so you know to keep quiet

Yes i hear the Hospitals here are good but I'm not ready yet to give it a test, I'm in reasonable heath except for having Bipolar, but i manage well most of the time don't want to end up in Ubon Hospital now do i

You don't need to worry about the quality of health care in Thailand as long as you chose wisely and of course pay! I've had heart surgery performed here in Thailand in preference to the UK and am quite ha..p... p.y so f.. a ....r.........!!!

[Mali1964]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

For me though if in the future i become non resident which is unlikely, i would still keep my Doctors under my daughters address for the very point above, or does becoming a non resident wipe out your NI number & all other forms of ID?? This i can't see because I'm sure most of you still hold a UK passport?? Resident or not. Its for Tax purpose's as you kindly pointed out.

Its this can't use your NHS bit that really bothers me, who's right who's wrong ?? Why would & how would they remove this benefit from you if your willing to fly back home.

The computer systems between the various agencies in the UK are becoming increasingly linked, tell one agency such as the tax authorities that you are no longer resident and many of the other agencies also share in that information. Most UK residents become non-resident for tax purposes and as much as we dislike our governments at various times, they are not entirely stupid and recognize this fact. It therefore follows that if a UK citizen is not resident for tax purposes they are not resident for NHS purposes either.

From experience if a UK doctor finds out that you no longer live at your previous address or that you have moved overseas, the Doctor will send your records back to the central NHS records store who will wait for you to re-register with a new doctor. The only way around this as far as I can tell is to maintain contact with your UK doctor by going to see him/her once or twice a year and make sure they do not become aware of your move overseas - if you do otherwise you have just elevated yourself into the class of being an NHS tourist.

There's a third element of all of this and that is a question about where you would actually get the best medical care, for my money I reckon Thailand represents a very good alternative to the UK, albeit it is on a paid basis.

Thanks Chaing Mia for that very interesting stuff.

So really it boils down to keeping a UK C/O address, keeping or as in my case having a good relationship with your Doctor my doctor knows were i am, but I'm still resident in the sense that I've filed no papers with the Tax office etc, bit of a mine field this but its nice to now some of the rules though so you know to keep quiet

Yes i hear the Hospitals here are good but I'm not ready yet to give it a test, I'm in reasonable heath except for having Bipolar, but i manage well most of the time don't want to end up in Ubon Hospital now do i

You don't need to worry about the quality of health care in Thailand as long as you chose wisely and of course pay! I've had heart surgery performed here in Thailand in preference to the UK and am quite ha..p... p.y so f.. a ....r.........!!!

Good to hear & happy your well again take care Shaun.

[billd766]

I have to pay tax on this money even though I am no longer entitled to any benefits.

You are entitleled to benefits, just not when living overseas its called Pension Credit which gives the elderly without the state pension a minimum amount per week think its around £120.

Also you would be entitled to winter fuel payments & a few other small help add on's its not the states fault your in Thailand sorry.

Thia post about paying tax on his pension is not correct.

A personal allowance is approx 9000 pounds a year. If he is married then both get this allowance before tax.

If he has other income then once the allowance is breached then,yes,tax is then due on the excess.

I have a state pension of 137 pounds a week on which NO tax is due. I have other pensions and tax is deducted from these .

That may be correct but I also have other pensions so yes I will pay tax on them anyway.

I suspect that anyone trying to live on the basic pension in the UK will not be able to survive.

[bellevue]

Thailand appears to be the only country who has strict fiscal rules for expats staying. I understand this was brought in by the now deposed PM living somewhere in HK. As a Brit I think what a good rule for the UK to adopt for all non commonwealth and non EU residents who wish to either make the UK their home or for long term students. The Uk Banking system is creaking at the joints and what a good boost to them a few million pounds would be to restart the economy, where they can lend to small businesses, charge interest and not pay any interest back on deposits in return (not that they are paying any now with interest rates as they are) By adopting the Thai system for treating expats the UK Government, who is led by a Scot, and is under pressure to assist Scotland following the HBOS mess where jobs in Scotland will be going, could set up a special Immigration Centre in Glasgow for all expats in the UK to report every 90 days thus creating many jobs in a depressed area, thus helping expats avoid such high costs in cities in England particularly London.

I think we should write to G Brown advocating that the UK adopt the Thai system, for the positive benefits that it would bring to the suffering UK Banking system and for job creation, sending a copy of our letters to the New Thai PM (who as we know was born, raised, and educated in the UK) and saying that by adopting the Thai way it will be such a boost to the UK economy.

[Eff1n2ret]

Thailand appears to be the only country who has strict fiscal rules for expats staying. I understand this was brought in by the now deposed PM living somewhere in HK. As a Brit I think what a good rule for the UK to adopt for all non commonwealth and non EU residents who wish to either make the UK their home or for long term students. The Uk Banking system is creaking at the joints and what a good boost to them a few million pounds would be to restart the economy, where they can lend to small businesses, charge interest and not pay any interest back on deposits in return (not that they are paying any now with interest rates as they are) By adopting the Thai system for treating expats the UK Government, who is led by a Scot, and is under pressure to assist Scotland following the HBOS mess where jobs in Scotland will be going, could set up a special Immigration Centre in Glasgow for all expats in the UK to report every 90 days thus creating many jobs in a depressed area, thus helping expats avoid such high costs in cities in England particularly London.

I think we should write to G Brown advocating that the UK adopt the Thai system, for the positive benefits that it would bring to the suffering UK Banking system and for job creation, sending a copy of our letters to the New Thai PM (who as we know was born, raised, and educated in the UK) and saying that by adopting the Thai way it will be such a boost to the UK economy.

Yea, right...all letters in green ink, of course.

[Penkoprod]

From experience if a UK doctor finds out that you no longer live at your previous address or that you have moved overseas, the Doctor will send your records back to the central NHS records store who will wait for you to re-register with a new doctor. The only way around this as far as I can tell is to maintain contact with your UK doctor by going to see him/her once or twice a year and make sure they do not become aware of your move overseas - if you do otherwise you have just elevated yourself into the class of being an NHS tourist.

I always thought that the doctor gets paid according to how many patients ther are on the books. If that is right, I can't believe that they would care that they never see a patient as they are getting money for nothing.

I refer back to my earlier statement about computer systems being linked. Doctors don't necessarily have to give patients back to NHS Central but more they are taken away by them.

Also, dont forget there is the matter of these new biometric passports being fully implemented by (i think) 2010.

They probably wont be be able to tell what meal you had on the plane, but they WILL be able to tell the relevent people exactly when you left, by what means, and even the weather at the time you raised 2 fingers to gordon Brown and his "band of gypsies"

Its not a case of being non resident for tax purposes that may well trip you up, but just the fact you aint in uk for over 12 months that will.

Penkoprod