UK Accounting for Expats

You built a UK company.
Now you live somewhere else.

As specialist expat accountants, we understand your situation.

Whether you moved for family, lifestyle, or opportunity, the compliance and tax picture that comes with running a UK company from abroad is genuinely complex, sitting in a gap between two tax systems.

Two countries. Two tax systems. Two sets of obligations.

Residency tests, reporting requirements, and filing deadlines do not pause simply because you live abroad. One overlooked detail can create consequences long before you realise.

The cost of uncertainty.

Not knowing whether your structure remains fit for purpose. Whether a threshold has already been crossed. Whether a decision in one country has created an obligation in another.

Cross-border expertise you can trust.

You should not have to explain the tax system of the country you live in or wonder whether important details have been missed. We will work closely with any relevant advisers, allowing you to delegate the complexity with complete confidence, knowing every obligation is understood, anticipated, and managed.

That is the value of true cross-border expertise.

If any of this sounds familiar, you are in the right place.

Get in touch

"I think the key thing is not where we're based, it's about the level of service, and I think it's that feeling that frankly I don't have to think too much about the accounting side. You're accurate. You meet the deadlines, and I don't have to worry about what the deadlines are because Adam emails me."

Melanie Franklin, Capability for Change
Spain

"Flexible, friendly and expert accountants who specialise in working with people who live on the other side of the world. It runs like clockwork. I catch up with Edith probably twice a year because we don't need to the rest of the time."

Ben Jory, Jory&Co
New Zealand

WHY CHOOSE US

For UK Accounting for Expats Services

Carthy Accountants is a UK-based firm with over 25 years of experience. In that time, we have worked with business owners across the globe, including Spain, New Zealand, Switzerland, and beyond, all of them running UK companies from a different country, all of them trying to make sense of a situation that most accountants find genuinely difficult.

We are an experienced team of chartered accountants that has the cross-border experience to handle exactly this configuration correctly: UK company, non-UK resident directors and shareholders, obligations in two or more countries.

We work with advisers in the countries our clients live in, so the UK side and the local side can be coordinated. We use cloud accounting software that gives you real-time visibility of your UK company's finances from wherever you are. And we stay on top of your UK deadlines so you do not have to.

YOUR 3-STEP PLAN

To UK Accounting for Expats Success

Ready to stop wondering if you are doing it correctly?

1. Get in touch

Tell us your situation: Where you live, how your UK company is structured, and what you are currently doing about the UK side. There are no wrong answers. If you have been guessing or avoiding, that is the situation we are here for.

2. Get to know

We review your setup, coordinate with any relevant advisers if you have them, and confirm the structure that keeps you compliant and as tax-efficient as the rules allow. We tell you exactly what needs to happen and why, in plain English.

3. Get peace of mind

We manage your UK compliance, proactively flag important developments, and provide support whenever required. Whether you prefer regular contact or simply the reassurance that everything is being handled, we adapt to the way you work.

Get in touch

The questions we get asked most often.

Can I be the director of a UK limited company if I live abroad?

Yes. There is no requirement for a director of a UK company to be UK resident. However, living overseas can create additional tax, reporting, and compliance obligations for both you and your company.

Does moving abroad affect my UK company?

Potentially. While your company remains registered in the UK, the country in which you live may also have an interest in how the company is managed. This can create additional reporting requirements and, in some cases, tax implications that need to be considered carefully.

Do I still need to file UK accounts and tax returns if I live overseas?

Yes. Your company's UK obligations continue regardless of where you live. Companies House and HMRC deadlines still apply and must be managed correctly.

Will I have to pay tax in two countries?

Not necessarily, but you may have reporting obligations in both countries. The position depends on your circumstances, where you are tax resident, and any applicable double taxation agreements.

How should I pay myself if I live abroad?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The most appropriate structure will depend on your country of residence, the nature of your income, and how local and UK tax rules interact. Advice that works for a UK resident may not be appropriate for someone living overseas.

What is a permanent establishment and should I be concerned?

A permanent establishment can arise when a company has sufficient presence or activity in another country. Depending on your circumstances, it can create additional tax and compliance obligations. Understanding the risk early is essential.

Do I need an accountant in both countries?

In many cases, yes. We regularly work alongside our clients' local advisers to ensure the UK and overseas positions are considered together, providing a coordinated approach to cross-border compliance.

How do I know if my structure is still appropriate?

Changes in residency, business activities, family circumstances, or local tax rules can all affect whether your existing structure remains suitable. Regular reviews help ensure that what worked previously still works today.

What are the most common mistakes made by expat business owners?

The most common issues we encounter are:
• Assuming UK rules are the only rules that matter.
• Not considering the tax position in their country of residence.
• Missing overseas reporting requirements.
• Failing to review structures after relocating.
• Receiving advice from one advisor that only considers one side of the picture.

Why should I choose a specialist cross-border accountant?

When your business and personal affairs span more than one country, local expertise alone is often not enough. A specialist cross-border adviser understands how the UK and overseas positions interact, helping you navigate complexity with confidence and avoid costly surprises.

Get in touch

UK Accounting for Expats

You built a UK company.
Now you live somewhere else.

As specialist expat accountants, we understand your situation.

Whether you moved for family, lifestyle, or opportunity, the compliance and tax picture that comes with running a UK company from abroad is genuinely complex, sitting in a gap between two tax systems.