Ive managed to get myself into a real (potential!) mess. Ive…

Hi.

Your only problem is with the French tax authorities.

You completed a P85 when you left the UK. Until a year or so ago, when you returned to the UK, you were supposed to complete a P86 to inform the Revenue that you were back in the UK permanently. That form has now been withdrawn. You only need to notify the Revenue of your intention to work in the UK if you are a foreign national.

If you take a job as an employee in the UK, you will automatically be in the UK tax system through PAYE. If you go self-employed you will need to register as such with the Revenue. The Revenue may write to you to ask what you have been doing and where you have been living for the previous five years if they cannot find your tax record for whatever reason. There should be a note on it that says you completed a P85 and left the UK when you did. They won't check to make sure you have paid French tax.

There is no time limit for tracking down tax defaulters. If the French tax authorities ever find out that you were living and working in France and that you are a British national they will probably contact the UK tax authorities and find out where you live. They will then write to you and will expect you to co-operate with them in determining your French tax liabilities. They can and will freeze assets if they have to with the co-operation of the UK tax authorities and the courts.

You can either come clean now and try to sort things out or take your chances that the French will never know you existed. If they do find you, you should consult a French tax specialist and take it from there.

Let me know if you have any queries.