Tax & banking

Armstrong Watson (UK expat tax)

UK accountancy with a dedicated expat tax practice — HMRC P85, non-residency, rental income.

Armstrong Watson is a large UK regional accountancy with a dedicated international / expatriate tax team. They file the HMRC P85 (the form that tells HMRC you're leaving the UK and stops further tax on UAE income), advise on split-year tax treatment, and handle ongoing UK rental income declarations if you're letting out a UK property.

Worth engaging in the year you leave the UK. Fixed-fee packages for simple cases; hourly for complex ones (UK property portfolio, UK pensions, UK dividends).

Services

HMRC P85 submission (leaving the UK)
Split-year tax treatment advice
UK rental income declarations (if letting your UK home)
UK pension planning as a non-resident
Statutory Residence Test (SRT) analysis — confirming non-residency
Capital gains advice on UK assets sold as a non-resident

Strengths

•Deep expat tax specialism — P85 is their bread and butter
•UK-registered, FCA-aware
•Fixed-fee packages available

Things to consider

•UK tax only — doesn't cover UAE-side matters (UAE has no personal income tax so less to advise anyway)
•Engage BEFORE your tax year-end to catch split-year treatment cleanly

Best for

UK leavers with a UK property, pension, or significant UK assetsAnyone uncertain about HMRC residency status

Also in tax & banking

Emirates NBD — non-resident account

Pre-arrival UAE current account for expats with a confirmed offer letter.