Returning to the UK - tax charges on overseas property sale

Complex tax rules surround residency so anyone looking to return to the UK after a period abroad needs to make sure they avoid any unexpected UK tax bills if they sell property prior to their return to the UK. Gill Tallon CTA, deputy managing partner at Mercer & Hole, considers the tax issues facing a returning couple with properties to sell

Broadly speaking individuals, who have been living abroad for a number of years and are thinking about a return to the UK, can mitigate a UK tax charge on the disposal of properties, by selling prior to their return to the UK.

As seen in the case of Margaret and Bernard it is, however, worth checking that they will not fall into any traps which end up with them facing an unnecessary UK tax charge.