Extension problem, help please....

Dear all,

I have been getting a non-taxable payment as visiting fellow at an university (in the UK) since Nov 2004. I had applied for extension in Jan 2005 (1yr deadline was Feb 2005). The home office is not considering renewal as my payment is non-taxed. Does anyone know what can be done in such a situation?

Thanks
Natopt

natopt wrote:Dear all,

I have been getting a non-taxable payment as visiting fellow at an university (in the UK) since Nov 2004. I had applied for extension in Jan 2005 (1yr deadline was Feb 2005). The home office is not considering renewal as my payment is non-taxed. Does anyone know what can be done in such a situation?

Thanks
Natopt

Perhaps, declare the income to Inland Revenue, pay tax on it, and then take the subsequent P60 to the home office.

Surely, dodging a bit of tax is not worth having your visa cancelled?

I have been getting a non-taxable payment as visiting fellow at an university (in the UK)

What on earth makes you think that the payment is non-taxable? Just because the university may not have deducted any tax when paying you does not make it non-taxable.

Natopt wrote:Dear all,

I have been getting a non-taxable payment as visiting fellow at an university (in the UK) since Nov 2004. I had applied for extension in Jan 2005 (1yr deadline was Feb 2005). The home office is not considering renewal as my payment is non-taxed. Does anyone know what can be done in such a situation?

1. What excactly have the Home Office said?

2. Has your extension application been refused?

3. How long was the initial engagement/ fellowship?

4. Why are you extending it?

5. What is your nationality?

6. Who is paying you - UK or overseas institution?

7. If the latter where is such located and is it taxed there?

John wrote:

I have been getting a non-taxable payment as visiting fellow at an university (in the UK)

What on earth makes you think that the payment is non-taxable? Just because the university may not have deducted any tax when paying you does not make it non-taxable.

There are some fellowships where they pay upto the lower tax threshold as earnings and then pay the rest as a "bursary", so no tax is actually paid. Though this is normally for part-time positions I think.

natopt wrote:Dear all,

I have been getting a non-taxable payment as visiting fellow at an university (in the UK) since Nov 2004. I had applied for extension in Jan 2005 (1yr deadline was Feb 2005). The home office is not considering renewal as my payment is non-taxed. Does anyone know what can be done in such a situation?

Thanks
Natopt

Visiting fellow... Don't you need to be on a student visa or something similair ?

This appears to be the first case where HSMP extension is being refused outright. I guess it is important to show that your employment income is being taxed otherwise WP(UK) will not grant extension.

It would be interesting to see how this case proceeds. I cannot see how someone whose income is not taxed can get out of this without falsely declaring that they are not employed and showing other job applications etc.