Last week, UK Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced that British citizens who are not residents of the UK and live overseas may qualify to vote on an ‘indefinite basis’ in any UK election in the future.
At face value, this comes as welcome news for British expats who have long campaigned against a piece of 2002 legislation, which states that only non-residents who have lived overseas for less than 15 years may vote in such elections.
Understandably, frustrations around this were fuelled all the more during the 2016 referendum.
This was when long-standing expats had no voting rights in what would go on to become one of the most impactful political shifts of a generation, and an election that would no doubt bear repercussions on their future living overseas.
On the surface, this extension of voting rights is encouraging news for many UK expats.
Financial advisers work closely with clients throughout every stage of life.However, this change to the law brings with it a considerable tax liability; with particular concern around the implications for inheritance tax and what this means for expats who may have emigrated to reduce such financial obligations.
A seemingly natural, mitigating consequence in this circumstance for someone fitting this profile, is to change their place of domicile and sever any ties with the UK to avoid the tax implications that accompany voting rights.
This decision should be considered very carefully. Many believe that they will never return to the UK once they establish connections, and more importantly, residency, in a new country.
As a result, associations with the UK begin to erode and weaken.
Despite a ubiquitous mindset among expats that their new-found locations will be permanent, financial advisers work closely with clients throughout every stage of life, so we know that, all too often, these expatriated clients do return back home to the UK later in life, despite every initiative to remain overseas.
These resolutions are sometimes set decades prior to any change of mind.
There can be many a catalyst for this step-change of intention, such as the need to tend an ailing relative, moving closer to grandchildren or the all-important pull of unlimited access to the NHS.
Similarly, the loss of a spouse for an expat can lead to significant disenchantment from life abroad and initiate relocation back to the familiarities of the UK.
The right to maintain these voting rights brings with it a complex tax consideration that requires deep understanding and professional expertise. Such a decision should be factored into expats’ long-term financial planning.
The IHT ramifications may cause serious impact and expats must analyse their relationship with the UK; indeed, erring on the side of caution before making any rash judgement to sever connections with the UK altogether.
John Westwood is founder and group managing director for Blacktower Financial Management
