Phillip Hammond’s second Budget – the first for the reformed government following this summer’s snap election – was widely seen as fairly subdued. But was there anything of note for Britons living in Portugal?
Personal tax
Expatriates who earn UK income may benefit from a slight increase in the personal allowance. From April 6 you can earn £11,850 before paying UK tax (formerly £11,500), representing an extra £70 a year. Unlike the previous Chancellor, Hammond has made no suggestion of limiting this tax relief for non-resident British nationals in the future.
For the first time, the marriage allowance will be extended to widows and widowers, enabling 10% of the personal allowance to transfer to the surviving partner. Effective from November 29, claims can be backdated up to four years.
Higher-rate taxpayers are set to be £340 better off a year, as the upper threshold for 40% tax rates increases in April from £45,001 to £46,350 (Scotland remains at £43,000).
These changes are in line with the government’s pledge to increase basic rate to £12,500 and the higher rate threshold to £50,000 by 2020.
Savings
The band of UK savings income that can be earned tax-free stays the same at £5,000, and the annual ISA subscription limit also remains unchanged at £20,000.
However, expatriates need to remember that investments like ISAs lose their tax-efficient benefits once you are no longer UK resident. Not only are non-residents ineligible to open and save into ISAs, any interest earned may become liable to taxation in Portugal. You should instead explore investment alternatives to suit your unique circumstances and aims.
Pensions
Despite speculation, the Budget made no changes to pension tax relief or transfers.
The State Pension, however, will increase 3% in line with inflation – as defined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – from April. This represents an extra £191 a year for those who started drawing benefits before April 6, 2015; £250 for others. It has already been established that British expatriates in the EU will continue to receive these cost-of-living increases beyond Brexit.
The lifetime allowance will also increase with inflation. This means you can accrue an extra £30,000 on top of the £1 million in pension benefits from April 2018 without incurring 25% or 55% tax penalties.
Property
The biggest Budget headline was the immediate stamp duty relief for first-time buyers – and those buying in high-value areas like London – of up to £300,000 on properties under £500,000.
A 3% stamp duty surcharge remains in place for the purchase of second and subsequent homes, although this now no longer applies where ownership shifts, for example, as a result of divorce or re-mortgaging. Expatriates should note that overseas property counts here, so additional stamp duty may be payable if you own your home abroad and buy another in Britain, even if it is your only UK property.
However, as housing is a devolved area, different stamp duty rules usually apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you retain a UK property that is unoccupied, you could see your council tax rates doubling next year. In a bid to discourage empty properties, Hammond has handed local authorities the option to increase council tax premiums by 100% on properties vacant for two years or more.
Meanwhile, the annual capital gains tax exemption will track inflation by increasing to £11,700 from 2018 (£5,850 for most trusts).
However, non-residents who own interest in commercial UK property are set to be subject to tax on gain for the first time. Currently, ‘non-residential capital gains tax’ only applies to residential property (on gains since April 5, 2016) but is due to be charged on the sale of any UK real estate or land, whether owned directly or indirectly, from April 2019 (excluding Scotland).
With these extra measures, it is worth reassessing whether holding UK property is the most tax- and cost-efficient option for your capital.
The UK economy
As there was not much in the way of handouts or cash-grabs in this Budget, perhaps the biggest outcome was the sharp downgrading of the UK economy’s growth forecast. Falling to 1.5% from the 2% forecast in March, it is the largest adjustment since the financial crisis, expected to drop to 1.3% post-Brexit before reaching just 1.6% in 2022.
In this climate of sluggish growth and Brexit uncertainty, it is a good idea to seek specialist, personalised advice, especially if you are concerned about any of the Budget measures. A specialist in cross-border taxation can guide you on the interaction between UK and Portuguese taxation, and the tax planning opportunities available.
Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.
By Adrian Hook
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Adrian Hook is a Partner of Blevins Franks and has been providing holistic financial planning advice to UK nationals in the Algarve since 2007. Adrian is professionally qualified, holding the Diploma for Financial Advisers.
www.blevinsfranks.com
