Paying yourself from abroad
Most countries tax UK salary and dividends received by their residents, often with credit for UK tax paid under a double tax treaty, but the detail varies.
Short answer
Almost every country taxes its residents on worldwide income, so salary and dividends from a UK company are usually taxable at home too. A double tax treaty between the UK and your country of residence generally sets out which country has primary taxing rights and gives credit for tax paid in the other, avoiding double taxation rather than double tax relief automatically applying.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityAlmost every country taxes its residents on worldwide income, so salary and dividends from a UK company are usually taxable at home too. A double tax treaty between the UK and your country of residence generally sets out which country has primary taxing rights and gives credit for tax paid in the other, avoiding double taxation rather than double tax relief automatically applying.
Why this is treaty-specific, not general
What to check before setting a policy
Treaties differ on rates, on whether credit or exemption is used to relieve double taxation, and on how director's fees, salary and dividends are each treated, so no single rule describes every country's position accurately.
The UK side, no withholding on dividends and PAYE on director's fees, is only ever half the picture; your home country's tax return and its treatment of foreign income decide the real cost.
Confirm whether your country taxes salary and dividends at the same or different rates, whether it gives credit for UK tax already paid or treated as paid, and whether it has any reporting or foreign account disclosure requirements tied to owning a UK company.
This is where local advice in your country of residence is essential; a UK accountant can confirm the UK mechanics but should not be relied on for the tax outcome in another jurisdiction.
Our fixed monthly packages for a UK limited company start at £89 plus VAT and run to £169 and £289 plus VAT as bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and reporting are added. One-off filings are sold at fixed prices, and the Companies House fees we pay for you are charged at cost with no VAT added. Overseas owners are quoted on exactly the same published prices as UK-resident clients.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
Primary references
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We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
You can request confirmation of UK tax paid or treated as paid, useful evidence for a foreign tax credit claim.
Not necessarily; this varies by country and should not be assumed from the UK position.
Yes, UK advice on the company and home country advice on your personal position together give the full picture.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
Yes. You can ask a straightforward initial question without charge. Calculations, filings, written advice, planning and HMRC correspondence are scoped and quoted before work begins.
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