Best time to leave UK to cliam Tax rebate

[Phil Turner]

Both my wife and I work full time and so pay quite a lot in tax each year. Trying to decide when is the best time to move to NZ to claim our tax back. Want to go in March - can we claim the whole of the tax year from April 12 - to the date of dept in March 13? Or do we have to wait to claim in April 13 at the start of the next tax year??????

[Mamee & Co]

You can claim as soon as you leave the country. You will get the highest rebate if you have earned more than your personal allowance. You are classed as resident for the year you leave, so get the full PA.

[norma]

It also depends on if you wish to claim split-year treatment to claim back UK tax paid on interest, etc. To claim split-year treatment you need to be resident in the UK for less than 183 days in the tax year. There are more details on this and FAQs on other non-resident tax matters here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/faqs_general.htm#1nr

We have successfully claimed tax refunds under the split-year treatment both times we have returned to the UK after living overseas and when we left the UK for New Zealand, and we did it through our self-assessment tax returns.