Extending short term business visitors relief to overseas branches

Businesses with internationally mobile employees will welcome the government’s latest consultation, published on 14 May 2018, regarding the tax and administrative treatment of short term business visitors (STBVs). The policy drivers for reform are focused on ensuring the UK is seen as open for business and reducing administrative costs and burdens. The government recognises that the current rules do not provide relief for employees resident in non-treaty countries who visit the UK for work purposes, nor for employees of a foreign branch of a UK employer who visit the UK on business. The consultation puts forward two proposals: (1) extending the PAYE special arrangement UK workday rule to 60 days; and (2) a new tax exemption for STBVs from overseas branches (the option likely to be favoured by business). The consultation ends on 6 August 2018. The government is unlikely to implement either proposal before April 2020.