To be or not to be (resident)

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05/12/2010 - 09:28

Hello, I am currently living in Italy with my husband and young baby.  I could really do with some advice on whether we should become resident here or not.  My husband works for a UK company and currently pays UK tax.  They are paying for our accommodation out here which is rented and the contract is in the company's name.  I am not working.  My husband's company is paying for private health insurance for our family and our contract is for two years and then we will probably return to the UK.  We have a UK residence which we pay council tax etc for.  We both return home approximately every 3 months. Is it worth becoming resident in Italy.  I am reluctant to give up any of our UK benefits such as NHS etc but realise that legally we probably have to become resident in Italy.  My husband would like to buy a car here for work as hire costs are extortionate - is it right that you have to be resident to buy an car?  Is there any way around this?  I have a UK car which we bought over.  Unless I become resident and nationlise my car here, I think I have to bring it back to the UK before the end of the year for it's MOT? I was considering becoming a resident and my husband remaining a UK resident but we have recently been considering renting out our UK property and I would pay tax in the UK for this.  If I became a resident I think that I would be liable for tax in Italy as well and there are probably lots of extra charges for being resident as well. Any advice would be very gratefully received - sorry for so many questions!!  Great site Jane

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"our contract is for two years and then we will probably return to the UK. " - I wouldn't bother for two years. "My husband would like to buy a car here for work as hire costs are extortionate - is it right that you have to be resident to buy an car?  Is there any way around this?  I have a UK car which we bought over.  Unless I become resident and nationlise my car here, I think I have to bring it back to the UK before the end of the year for it's MOT?" - just buy a newish car next time your in UK - then no MOT required until you return to UK - and as you have a UK address , you can get uk based car insurance that covers being abroad all the time