What should I do if the London embassy requests PAYE tax history for my freelance visa application, but I'm a non-UK tax resident?

Question

DTV London: asked for PAYE tax history as a freelancer, but I’m a non-UK tax resident. Anyone else had this?

I submitted my DTV (Workcation, freelancer) application to the London embassy last week, and they've come back asking for:

'Please provide your PAYE Income Tax history (in last 3 years) which related to your freelance work.'

This is where I'm confused. I'm self-employed, so I'm not on PAYE at all. I file Self Assessment tax returns, but they don't show any tax paid:

Most recent year: I was non-UK resident for tax purposes under the Statutory Residence Test (I didn't spend enough days in the UK). Because of that, I had to file my SA100 with the SA109 residence pages through third-party software, since HMRC's own online system doesn't support the SA109. My return shows £0 UK tax. It doesn’t even show earning or anything.

The year before: my freelance earnings were around the Personal Allowance, so I paid little to no tax.

I’m not sure what to send since I have nothing really to show from the past self assessments. I’m thinking of explaining the situation but I’m not sure that will be enough.

Has anyone else been in this situation? What did you send?

Thanks so much in advance! 🙏

Ask Thailand · Answer

A user submitted a DTV (Workcation, freelancer) visa application to the London embassy but faced a request for their PAYE income tax history despite being a non-UK tax resident and self-employed. The user is unsure about how to respond since they have no PAYE records, only Self Assessment tax returns showing no tax paid. They seek advice on what documentation to provide. Other community members suggest sending all relevant tax forms, explaining the non-residency situation, and including a cover letter to clarify their tax status.

Andi *********** · Answer

There have been similar postings which should be in the threads, applicants submitted the SA100 and were approved.

Mike ********** · Answer

This sounds complicated.

So the previous year you paid no tax because you were below the threshold 12,000 or there abouts.

Then last year you worked abroad I assume but that does not always mean you are not tax exempt.

To stop being a UK tax resident and avoid paying UK tax on your foreign income, you generally need to leave the UK for at least one full tax year (running from 6 April to 5 April the next year), and pass the Statutory Residence Test (SRT).

Key Rules for Non-Residency

• The 183-Day Rule (Common Misconception): Spending fewer than 183 days a year in the UK does not automatically make you non-resident. HMRC looks at your overall ties to the UK rather than just counting days

Maximus ************ · Answer

So send all your tax forms. It’s not a puzzle. If you were non resident for tax, send the proof. Send everything you can.

Kool ******* · Answer

You filed income tax returns every year. Whether you had to pay taxes, or not, is irrelevant. The fact that you filed is what they want to see.

PositiveNe*********** · Answer

Any chance I could DM you I have some questions

Rez ************* · Answer

Give it a brief cover letter... doesnt need to be anything more than you put in this status... and attach the tax return/forms

EfficientD********** · Answer

Yea

BlueElep******** · Answer

Just send tax report in the country where you are tax resident.

What should I do if the London embassy requests PAYE tax history for my freelance visa application, but I'm a non-UK tax resident?

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