Any tax experts about? I think I was supposed to send tax returns!?

[TaxFool]

Wasn't sure where best to post this.

I live and work overseas in a tax-free country (Saudi) and have done so since 2012.

It's just dawned on me that I possibly should've been filing tax returns for the last couple of years?

I'm definitely non-resident and the only UK income I have is savings interest. When savings interest stopped being taxed automatically in 2016 should I have started completing tax returns!? I stupidly assumed that I had a tax allowance and didn't need to do anything but I think I may have been wrong?

It looks like I might be able to do it online for 2018-2019. What about the missing years? Do I confess? Will they hunt me down anyway if I file for 18-19? Will I be fined millions!? 😳

The actual tax payable will be a small amount - maybe £100 or so, so I don't feel like the world's worst criminal.

Help!

Do you earn more than £1,000 per year interest?

No, probably less than half that. I do have premium bonds and win on those most months, but I believe they're exempt anyway?

I can't figure out if I have a savings allowance or not, being non-resident.

You don't necessarily need to fill in a tax return as far as I know, you can just write to the tax office, especially if you are not self employed in the UK.

I don't think that you'll be entitled to a tax allowance unfortunately. But hmrc are helpful, and they won't try to screw you over unless they think you are trying to do that to them.

Just phone or write to them and explain, they will yen you what you need to do.

Disclaimer: I've not worked in tax for a few years so my knowledge might be out of date