
In recent budgets the government has been trying to align the taxation of foreign individuals with the UK tax system. Up to 5th April 2017 only 90% of a foreign pension or annuity payable received by a UK resident (except those claiming the remittance basis) was included within taxable income and chargeable to UK tax.
From 6 April 2017 the whole (100%) foreign pension or annuity payable to a UK resident will be chargeable to tax. This means that pensions paid to UK residents will be taxed in the same way whether the scheme is based in the UK or overseas.
However, these changes will not affect how the following are taxed:
- foreign pensions or annuities paid to non-domiciled individuals claiming the remittance basis
- certain pensions paid following the death of a member or a beneficiary aged under 75, which are to remain tax free.