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Non-doms: who they are and why Labour wants to scrap their tax privileges Non-doms: who they are and why Labour wants to scrap their tax privileges
(35 minutes later)
The Labour party has said it will scrap the non-domiciled tax status – or the special tax privileges bestowed on foreigners living in Britain – should it get into power.The Labour party has said it will scrap the non-domiciled tax status – or the special tax privileges bestowed on foreigners living in Britain – should it get into power.
Ed Balls has said the government could get hundreds of millions of pounds from closing the loophole, which has existed for hundreds of years. But the figures are vague.Ed Balls has said the government could get hundreds of millions of pounds from closing the loophole, which has existed for hundreds of years. But the figures are vague.
Opponents of the plan say it would mean skilled migrants move to other, lower tax jurisdictions, denying the UK millions of pounds of tax that these people currently pay.Opponents of the plan say it would mean skilled migrants move to other, lower tax jurisdictions, denying the UK millions of pounds of tax that these people currently pay.
We take a look at the facts below:We take a look at the facts below:
A non-domiciled resident is someone that is born outside the UK and now lives here, but intends to return to their home-country. It is a peculiarly British status that can be passed through generations.A non-domiciled resident is someone that is born outside the UK and now lives here, but intends to return to their home-country. It is a peculiarly British status that can be passed through generations.
Zac Goldsmith, for example, inherited his non-dom status from his father Sir James Goldsmith, even though he was born at Westminster Hospital in London – a fact that caused some embarrassment when he stood as a Tory candidate for Richmond in 2009 (he later relinquished the status).Zac Goldsmith, for example, inherited his non-dom status from his father Sir James Goldsmith, even though he was born at Westminster Hospital in London – a fact that caused some embarrassment when he stood as a Tory candidate for Richmond in 2009 (he later relinquished the status).
Yes – one in eight UK residents were born elsewhere. But not all of them claim non-dom status. Just 116,000 people have told HM Revenue & Customs that they are non-doms and only a few thousand of these pay the annual fee required to claim tax privileges. Yes – one in eight UK residents were born elsewhere. But not all of them claim non-dom status. Just 116,000 people have told HM Revenue & Customs that they are non-doms. Only a few thousand of these pay annual fees to keep the status beyond seven years.
Those fees are steep, which is why non-dom status is seen as the preserve of the wealthy. Non-doms who have been in the UK for seven or more years have to pay £30,000 annually to claim full tax perks, while those who have been here for at least 12 years must pay £50,000 annually. In December, George Osborne announced plans for non-doms that have lived in the UK for 17 of the last 20 years to pay an annual charge of £90,000. Those fees are steep, which is why non-dom status is seen as the preserve of the wealthy. Non-doms who have been in the UK for seven or more years have to pay £30,000 annually to claim full tax perks, while those who have been here for at least 12 years must pay £50,000 annually. In December 2013, George Osborne announced plans for non-doms that have lived in the UK for 17 of the last 20 years to pay an annual charge of £90,000. That kind of cash is probably unattainable for all but the very rich.
That kind of cash is probably unattainable for all but the very rich. For Roman Abramovich, the non-domiciled owner of Chelsea football club, it’s a tiny portion of an estimated £6.1 billion fortune.
Individuals with non-dom tax status pay tax on their UK earnings, but do not have to pay UK tax on foreign income, as long as they do not transfer those earnings to the UK. They are not tax dodgers. But large parts of their income elsewhere is not counted for tax in the UK, unlike in the US, where residents pay US tax on all of their earnings.Individuals with non-dom tax status pay tax on their UK earnings, but do not have to pay UK tax on foreign income, as long as they do not transfer those earnings to the UK. They are not tax dodgers. But large parts of their income elsewhere is not counted for tax in the UK, unlike in the US, where residents pay US tax on all of their earnings.
Some non-taxable income could make it back into the UK anyway. Non-doms might use offshore trusts to buy expensive UK homes or loan money to themselves and collect interest-free tax repayments.Some non-taxable income could make it back into the UK anyway. Non-doms might use offshore trusts to buy expensive UK homes or loan money to themselves and collect interest-free tax repayments.
James Caan was born in Pakistan and holds non-domiciled tax status in the UK Duncan Bannatyne has been outspoken about these rules. In an interview with Business Matters Magazine in 2010 he noted that two of his colleagues on 'Dragons' Den' have non-dom status: Doug Richard and James Caan. "Does this status give Doug Richard and James Caan and unfair advantage in the business sectors? I think that it would be safe to assume that it does," he said.James Caan was born in Pakistan and holds non-domiciled tax status in the UK Duncan Bannatyne has been outspoken about these rules. In an interview with Business Matters Magazine in 2010 he noted that two of his colleagues on 'Dragons' Den' have non-dom status: Doug Richard and James Caan. "Does this status give Doug Richard and James Caan and unfair advantage in the business sectors? I think that it would be safe to assume that it does," he said.
Ed Milliband says he will abolish non-dom status in UK. This gets my vote I never thought any party would have courage to do this.Ed Milliband says he will abolish non-dom status in UK. This gets my vote I never thought any party would have courage to do this.
Labour described it as “a set of loopholes that simply isn’t available to most working families in Britain”.Labour described it as “a set of loopholes that simply isn’t available to most working families in Britain”.
Actually they have – both Gordon Brown and George Osborne looked at scrapping the tax. They decided not for fear of losing more in tax by getting rid of it altogether. Brown is said to have faced intense opposition from Greek shipping magnates and specialist financial advisers.Actually they have – both Gordon Brown and George Osborne looked at scrapping the tax. They decided not for fear of losing more in tax by getting rid of it altogether. Brown is said to have faced intense opposition from Greek shipping magnates and specialist financial advisers.
Scrapping the tax shows Labour cracking down on tax loopholes for the wealthy - which looks good in the run up to an election.Scrapping the tax shows Labour cracking down on tax loopholes for the wealthy - which looks good in the run up to an election.
We will scrap the “non-dom” loophole that allows some wealthy people to avoid paying the taxes which everyone else pay.We will scrap the “non-dom” loophole that allows some wealthy people to avoid paying the taxes which everyone else pay.
We all use the same roads We’re all protected by our police & armed forces We all rely on the NHS We should all pay taxes by the same rules.We all use the same roads We’re all protected by our police & armed forces We all rely on the NHS We should all pay taxes by the same rules.
There are now 116,000 non-doms, costing our country a huge amount. It isn’t justifiable & it makes Britain an offshore tax haven for a few.There are now 116,000 non-doms, costing our country a huge amount. It isn’t justifiable & it makes Britain an offshore tax haven for a few.
Ed Balls told BBC Breakfast the changes will raise “at least hundreds of millions of pounds”. Even he had to concede that it’s very difficult to say exactly how much.Ed Balls told BBC Breakfast the changes will raise “at least hundreds of millions of pounds”. Even he had to concede that it’s very difficult to say exactly how much.
“Of course it is very uncertain because we do not know how much income people have in this country, people who aren't paying tax in the same way as everyone else,” Balls said.“Of course it is very uncertain because we do not know how much income people have in this country, people who aren't paying tax in the same way as everyone else,” Balls said.
Labour has proposed that no new people will be able to claim non-dom status after April 2016. Existing non-doms will have a few years to adjust their tax affairs and those who are only here temporarily – students, for example – should receive an exemption, Labour says.Labour has proposed that no new people will be able to claim non-dom status after April 2016. Existing non-doms will have a few years to adjust their tax affairs and those who are only here temporarily – students, for example – should receive an exemption, Labour says.