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[davemfox]

I know there's a few on here, who like me, work offshore or on the boats. The HMRC decided in their wisdom to disallow claims for SED - here's a cut and paste from my accountant:

Further to my recent email I have received further communication from Centre 1. As a result I can inform you of the following:-

 
1                    Although the Special Commissioners Hearing re Pride South America was handed down on 14th January 2008 it is the intention of the Inland Revenue to disallow all SED claims for the whole of 2007/08.

2                    If you submitted a tax return for an earlier year, say 2006/07, after 14th January 2008 then although that tax return was lodged in time the SED claim for that year will be disallowed.

3                    If you had submitted an SED claim for earlier years but had agreed to have it placed in suspense pending the decision of Pride South America then your SED claim will be disallowed for all those years.

4                    Head Office of Inland Revenue is still to decide whether or not to open ALL SED claims for the last 6 years following the decision in Pride South America

 

This latest information from the Compliance Officer at Centre 1 is shattering. For my part I have informed the Trade Unions I know and can suggest that you, as individuals, make representations to not only your Unions but also to your local MPs.


There is more info here - https://www.nautilusuk.org/ngen_public/article.asp?id=516&did=47&aid=3520&st=&oaid=-1&lo=1

AND

There is now a petition at 10 Downing Street - http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SEATAX/

Dave

[truescot]

I didnt think they would legally be allowed to do that, as far as i was aware you cannot back-date changes too the tax system.  It would be like saying well, you paid all your taxes last year on time etc but we have now decided that we want you to pay 55% tax for last year, oh and while your at it for the last 5 years as well.  I am sure the trade unions will manage to get it changed.

[davemfox]

They can mate and they do regularly - it's how they initially word the changes and also how they interpret the language too as it's vague enough to allow this

Dave

[truescot]

They can mate and they do regularly - it's how they initially word the changes and also how they interpret the language too as it's vague enough to allow this

Dave

Well then all i can say is BASTARDS, once again sticking it to the hard workign tax payer to pay for lazy ass bastards whatever nationality they are sponging off the state.

[davemfox]

Yeah I know - will you fill the petition in please?

Dave

[r1ninja]

Pardon my ignorance, but what are SED claims ?

[davemfox]

Seafarers Earnings Deductions - basically if you work offshore on a drillship or non-moored semi-submersible you are (or were!!) allowed to claim tax back

Dave

[Andy J]

is this seperate to the 90 day tax exemption ? and covers a reduced tax regardless of the time spent in the UK 

[davemfox]

It's linked to that mate; basically if you were out of the country on a ship or self-propelled unit you could claim 180 days as non-resident; HMRC then decided that if a drilling unit was 'connected' to the seabed by marine riser then it wasn't classed as a ship/self-propelled unit and you then fell into the 90 day rule...

It's the governments way of shafting the ordinary man whilst letting these multi-millionaires out through a loop hole.

Dave

[Andy J]

ok pal, I get the 90 and 180 day ruling but what's this latest change regarding    I'm confused regarding what the new issue is, is it a 90 day enforcement as you say here ? I thought that was already in place though?

[davemfox]

Yes the 90 day is still there. This issue is relating to the interpretation of ship/self-propelled unit and the 'fixed to the seabed' wording in the law. HMRC interpreted it as any vessel when 'attached' to the seabed by ANY MEANS which means you lose the right of the 180 day rule. Majority of the accountants and seafarers/rig workers interpreted it as vessels actually moored to the seabed...which means a drillship or floating unit that isn't anchored to the seabed enables the crew to be classed as seafarers and claim the 180 day rule.

What we need now is the government to get off the fence and say what they mean, rather than leaving it open ended for interpretation...

Dave

[Ali-B]

Absolute bastards.       I got this from my tax accountants last week. Although, I'm lucky, I work on Cable ships, which still seem to be Ok according to this ruling, even though we do a fair bit of work for the offshore oil and gas industry. Couldn't afford to pay this years back anyway...Already invested in a new kitchen!!!  Am off to Shanghai for 8 weeks on Monday, but will definitely be signing the petition before I go.

Calm seas and safe trips fellas, and just remember...More kip, less trip!!

Al

[davemfox]

Thanks mate, the more that sign the better 

Dave

[jpaterson69]

Dave,
Just seen your email, I will sign petition mate. what a blow.
it always was ambigous, delibrately I guess.
Seems to change at will, at one point they were saying oh aye drillships DP not anchored ok, but they still use a riser and connect to the seabed so fixed, eh!!. Also the boy on the cable ship, well hope he is safe but they could say cable is attached to the seabed as its running it out, they can twist this all they like. I also heard that some of the oil related boats are not safe either as they are "working in oil industry". Its a piss take mate as you know.
personally I pay full tax, mostly at 40%, no breaks as I can't make the 90 day rule due to still wanting a wife and kids, other boys move to spain or france. hell what would it in real terms cost them to allow all offshore workers the 180 rule, it's peanuts.
or even a sliding scale. i dont mind paying tax if I am in the country but 180/200 or more days away it's not fair.

John
 

[Ali-B]

All signed.

Just hope they don't extend this to cableships too, otherwise I will be looking for a new career. 
Cheers guys.

Al