The UK’s tax system can seem rather complex, but it’s pretty simple. Once you know the basics, paying taxes isn’t too much of a hassle. However, with such a high immigrant population in the country, this can be confusing to some people who don’t understand how UK taxation works and what their rights are as an immigrant.
Do immigrants pay more taxes? And do they have to pay in full? This guide will help clarify any doubts you may have about your payment obligations as an immigrant in the United Kingdom and how this affects your finances and bank account balance.
What types of taxes are in the UK?
Income tax, National Insurance Contributions, and Council Tax are all types of taxes that an individual can be required to pay in the UK. Before getting a UK visa and immigration service, it’s important to know about the taxation system in the UK.
Income tax is deducted at source by your employer and then paid on to HMRC. National Insurance contributions are calculated based on income levels, with both employee and employer paying into the scheme. Council tax is a local property charge that varies depending on where you live.
Income tax
Income tax is not deducted from a person’s salary by their employer. Income tax is deducted from the individual’s gross pay before they are paid and can vary from person to person, depending on their income bracket. A personal allowance means you will only be required to pay income tax if your annual income exceeds that amount.
National Insurance Contributions UK
National Insurance Contributions are a type of tax mandatory for all those living and working in the UK. It’s paid by employees and employers, with a proportional share going to each. Employees pay 12% of their income, while employers pay 13.8%. Those who are self-employed have to make up both shares themselves.
In total, non-UK residents contribute billions to NIC, which goes towards funding welfare programs like pensions and unemployment benefits. Synergy Immigration Service can guide you about all taxation, and also you can get their UK visa and immigration services.
Council tax
Council tax is an annual property tax on residential properties. It is set by local authorities and collected by councils. The amount of council tax you pay depends on your local authority and your home’s banding – which is determined by its value when it was bought.
People born in the UK are classed as domiciled for taxation purposes, meaning they have to pay council tax if their house has a higher value than £320,000. However, non-doms living in the country for less than 15 years may be exempt from paying this charge.
Are immigrants paying extra taxes?
Immigrants are required to pay more taxes in the UK. This is because they are subject to a higher income tax rate (higher than those born and raised there). Non-doms also have to pay higher taxes than those who have domiciled status. This is because non-doms are considered non-residents for tax purposes and only get taxed on their overseas earnings. In contrast, those with domiciled status are considered residents for taxation purposes and must pay taxes on their worldwide income.