The new statutory residence test, applying from 6 April 2013,
contains provisions allowing the tax year to be spilt into
'overseas' and 'UK' parts. Specified items such as
capital gains realised and foreign income received in the overseas
part are not taxable in the UK.
Determining whether an individual coming to live in the UK
qualifies for split year treatment is not for the faint hearted. In
most cases, where the treatment is allowed, it is also necessary to
look at conditions applying in the year before and after arrival.
All the relevant split-year cases must be checked, as more than one
may apply.
Consider an individual returning to live in the UK after working
in Dubai for four years. Logic would suggest that the year would be
split on the day they left Dubai. However, this will almost never
be the relevant date.