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EIM33061 | Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction: treatment of periods of non- residence and terminal leave pay

From HM Revenue & Customs · Employment Income Manual

Statement of Practice 18/1991

The full text of the Statement of Practice is reproduced at EIM33062. It covers 2 areas:

  • periods of non-residence and eligible periods

  • terminal leave pay.

Periods of non-residence

Since 6 April 1992, the Inland Revenue (HMRC) has not accepted the inclusion of periods of non-residence in the calculation of an eligible period for the purposes of what is now the Seafarers’ Earnings Deduction. Legal advice confirmed that entitlement to the deduction depended upon the employee remaining resident and ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom throughout the eligible period.

The practice has been applied to individuals who became resident and ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom on or after 6 April 1992.

The High Court decided in the case of Carstairs v Sykes (73TC225) that it was not appropriate to include periods of non-residence in the calculation of an eligible period. This decision supports the general principles that underlie Statement of Practice 18/1991.

Terminal leave pay

Although entitlement to paid leave may have been built up over a period, including a period of non-residence, leave pay is chargeable for the period to which it relates. Treatment of the leave pay differs according to the residence status of the individual during the overseas work period.

Ordinarily resident after an eligible period

The leave pay may be attributed to the eligible period and covered by the deduction. But only pay that falls into the same tax year as the eligible period. See EIM33052 for a more detailed explanation and example.

Leave period in the United Kingdom following a period of non-residence

Where the pay is for:

  • a period of terminal leave during which the individual is resident and ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and

  • the leave period follows a period of non-residence

the terminal leave pay is chargeable under section 15 (or section 21 before 6 April 2008) ITEPA 2003 and the deduction cannot apply.