Tax rate charge on transfers on or after 9 March 2017

Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) transferred on or after 9 March 2017 are now subject to tax charge at a rate of 25% on the transfer. The measure took effect with respect to relevant payments from QROPS from 6 April 2017.

A QROPS is an overseas pension scheme that meets certain requirements set by HM Revenue & Customs and must have a beneficial owner and trustees, and it can receive transfers of UK Pension Benefits.

Those affected will be UK and QROPS pension scheme administrators and pension scheme members who are considering moving funds from a UK registered pension scheme.

Moving pension wealth to another jurisdiction

The charge is aimed at those seeking to reduce the tax payable by moving their pension wealth to another jurisdiction – that is unless both the individual and the pension savings are in the same country, both are within the EEA, or the QROPS is provided by the individual’s employer. The tax charge will apply if, within five years, the transfer no longer qualifies. When the tax charge is made, it will be deducted before the transfer by the scheme administrator or scheme manager of the pension scheme making the transfer.

Genuine need to transfer pensions exempt

Exceptions apply to the charge, allowing transfers to be made tax-free where people have a genuine need to transfer their pension, including when the individual and the pension are both located within the European Economic Area or the QROPS is provided by the individual’s employer.

Promoting fairness in the tax system

The Government said this charge supports its objective of promoting fairness in the tax system, and it continues to allow overseas transfers from pension schemes that have had UK tax relief that are made when people leave the UK and take their pension savings with them. The Government expects to raise £315m through the regime by 2021/22.