Question 1

Will my UK pension be taxed in South Africa or the UK?

Accepted Answer

Mostly South Africa. Under Article 17 of the 2002 treaty, pensions and annuities paid to a resident of South Africa are taxable only there, so once you are treaty-resident your UK personal and occupational pensions leave UK taxing rights and Horizon can claim relief from HMRC so PAYE stops. Government service pensions are the exception: they stay UK-taxable under Article 18 unless you are both resident in and a national of South Africa. The UK State Pension is payable in South Africa but frozen.

Question 2

Do I still pay UK tax if I move to South Africa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, at least at first. You keep paying UK tax on worldwide income until you have broken UK residence under the Statutory Residence Test, and a SARS registration changes nothing on its own. Once non-resident, the UK taxes only remaining UK-source income such as rental profits, government service pensions and gains on UK property, while South Africa taxes residents on worldwide income at 18% to 45%. Horizon's job is the clean UK exit: the SRT position, the split-year claim and the final return.

Question 3

I kept my UK house. What happens to the rent and the eventual sale?

Accepted Answer

Both stay UK-taxable first. Rent falls under the Non-Resident Landlord Scheme, with tax withheld unless HMRC approves gross payment on an NRL1. A sale must be reported and paid within 60 days of completion, and once you are South African resident SARS measures the same gain in rand, with credit for the UK tax. The rates, the rebasing and the annual exempt amount are in the guide. Horizon runs the UK side: the NRL1, the annual landlord return and the 60-day report when you sell.

Question 4

I am moving to the UK from South Africa. What should I plan before I arrive?

Accepted Answer

Start with your UK residence date. Under the Statutory Residence Test you are an arriver if not UK resident in any of the three prior tax years, with a more generous day count and only four possible ties against a leaver's five. Arrive mid-year and a split-year case can keep most foreign income and many foreign gains before the split date outside UK tax; UK rent stays taxable throughout. The four-year FIG regime may be open after at least 10 consecutive non-resident years. Horizon maps your residence date, the split year and the FIG position before you land.

Question 5

How much does a UK tax return cost if I live in South Africa, and can it all be done remotely?

Accepted Answer

£550 fixed for a non-resident or expat tax return, agreed in writing before any work starts. Personal tax returns start from £350 and complex returns from £750, and advisory work such as a departure review or a treaty claim is quoted as a fixed fee upfront. There is never an hourly rate. Everything is handled remotely from London, with year-round support and direct access to the adviser, for clients across six continents. Start with the free 30-minute clarity call.

A Chartered Tax Adviser for life between the UK and South Africa

Handled for you, end to end

Guides for South Africa, if you want the detail first

Moving to South Africa from the UK: the 2026/27 tax guide

UK Statutory Residence Test (SRT) Explained

Split-Year Treatment Explained: UK Tax in the Year You Move

NRL1 Form, NRL2 and Non-Resident Landlord Tax on UK Rent

Leaving the UK: a tax guide for people moving abroad

Double Tax Relief UK: How to Avoid Being Taxed Twice

Expat Self Assessment: UK Tax Returns from Abroad

Run your own numbers, before we speak

UK Statutory Residence Test Calculator

Relocation Comparison

Global Tax Atlas

Fixed fees, agreed in advance

What this work costs

Honest answers, before you book

UK tax advice, wherever you are moving

Start with a free clarity call