What is a P85 form and does it matter?

Most people have never heard of a P85 form.  For someone moving to France its quite an important HMRC form.

If you are not in self assessment, the P85 form is the official way of telling HMRC you are leaving the UK.  It matters so that HMRC get their records correct and understand where you are.  It does NOT ensure any pensions are paid free of UK tax - that is a separate process - but it does matter for other tax positions.

When not to fill it in?  If you are in UK self assessment you should usually not do a P85 form and instead correctly fill in your UK self assessment and especially the residency pages.  These can be a bit complex but are essential.

What not to do?   Fill in a P85 form then do a UK self assessment form without the residency pages.  Then you tell HMRC you left the UK - then you are saying you are tax resident.  Net, then a mess to sort out.

If it sounds complex - drop us a mail and we can help!