By banking offshore you may be able to manage your savings and investments to take advantage of any potential tax advantages. Depending on where you live, income from savings and investments may not be subject to tax in your country of residence, if that money is not remitted into your country of residence. And, depending on the jurisdiction, you may not be subject to inheritance and capital gains taxes or death duties.

 

Usually, interest earned on offshore savings and investment is paid without the deduction of tax, particularly if you're living outside the European Union (EU). Those living within the EU will be affected by the European Union Saving Tax Directive (ESTD) which is designed to ensure that European citizens who reside in one country in the EU, but earn interest from savings and investments in another, pay the right amount of tax.

 

At its heart, holding your savings and investments offshore allows you to manage the repatriation of your wealth tax efficiently on your return to your home country. "By holding cash offshore, ideally in an offshore bond, you may be able to shelter [income] growth from tax," says Acorn Partners. "If you decide to return [to your home country] and bring back the money held offshore you may have an income tax liability on the gain, though it can be carefully managed by using tools like time apportionment relief to reduce the amount of tax payable."

 

Save with future moves in mind

 

David Kilshaw is chair of private client advisory for accounting firm KPMG UK and says: "Clients often ask me whether the salary they earn in, for example, Thailand, can be brought back tax free." But he warns caution. For example, if someone living in Dubai saves £100,000 from their tax-free salary, these savings shouldn't be taxed when the worker returns to their home country. However, if the same expat puts the £100,000 in a five-year bond while in Thailand but cashes in the bond when home, it will be subject to tax. "When coming back, make sure that you're not rolling up future [tax] problems," adds Kilshaw.

 

Seek expert financial advice

 

Expats often find that when they move abroad their tax situation can become more complicated, so it's important to seek expert financial advice on exactly what your tax obligations are and how managing your savings and investments offshore could help you benefit from potential tax efficiencies.