Moving to Australia is an exciting new chapter — but when it comes to tax, leaving the UK doesn’t always mean leaving your obligations behind.
Each year, we see UK expats run into avoidable tax issues simply because they assume they’re no longer connected to the UK system. The result? Unexpected bills, penalties, or last-minute stress.
With the new UK tax year starting on 6 April, now’s the perfect time to get organised. Here are five of the most common mistakes — and how to avoid them.
1. Assuming You Don’t Need to File a UK Tax Return
A common thought is: “I live in Australia now, so I’m done with UK tax.”
In reality, you may still need to lodge a UK Self Assessment if you have:
- Rental income from UK property
- UK-based self-employed income
- Investments or dividends in the UK
- Capital gains from selling UK assets
How to avoid it:
If you’re still earning income from the UK, there’s a good chance HMRC expects a tax return – no matter where you live.
2. Not Understanding Your UK Tax Residency Status
Your tax position isn’t just about where you live — it comes down to your residency status.
The UK’s Statutory Residence Test looks at:
- How many days you spend in the UK
- Your ties to the UK (property, family, work)
Getting this wrong can mean paying more tax than you need to — or not enough.
How to avoid it:
Review your residency status carefully, especially if you travel between the UK and Australia or have recently moved.
3. Forgetting to Declare UK Property Income
Holding onto property in the UK is common — but so is forgetting the tax side of it.
If you’re renting it out, you’ll usually need to:
- Declare your rental income to HMRC
- Keep track of expenses
- Submit a UK tax return each year
How to avoid it:
Stay on top of your income and expenses throughout the year so nothing gets missed at tax time.
4. Missing UK Tax Deadlines
Managing finances across two countries makes it easy to overlook key dates.
A couple to keep in mind:
- 6 April – Start of the UK tax year
- 31 January – Online Self Assessment deadline
Miss them, and you could face automatic penalties — even if you don’t owe tax.
How to avoid it:
Set reminders early and give yourself plenty of time to get everything together. (Keeping in mind the time difference!)
5. Leaving It All Until the Last Minute
This is one of the biggest ones we see.
Waiting until the deadline usually leads to rushed lodgements, mistakes, and unnecessary stress — especially when you’re dealing with two tax systems.
How to avoid it:
Keep your records organised throughout the year and use simple tools to stay on top of your UK income.
A Simpler Way to Stay on Top of It All
Handling UK tax from abroad doesn’t have to be complicated.
Using a dedicated UK tax tool like GoSimpleTax can help you:
- Keep track of your UK income and expenses in one place
- Stay organised throughout the year
- Submit your UK Self Assessment directly to HMRC
It’s designed specifically for individuals who need a straightforward way to manage their UK tax without the usual hassle.
Need help with your Australian tax too?
That’s where One Click Life comes in.
We make it simple to lodge your Australian tax return online — quickly, securely, and without the usual headaches.
Get started today and take control of your tax the simple way.
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