Sterling and strife

We have a client who has recently repatriated to the UK after working in the Far East. He is employed by a Hong Kong-based company and is in fact their only representative in this country.

We have asked HMRC to establish a new PAYE reference to allow our client to pay income tax and primary class I National Insurance contributions under the direct payment scheme.

HMRC have accepted by virtue of the fact the employer has no place of operation in the UK that there is no obligation to pay secondary class I National Insurance contributions. All very straightforward so far.

Our client has told us that he is paid a regular base salary of HK$100 000 a month along with a quarterly bonus. The salary is credited to his UK bank account one month after he presents the company with his timesheet.

Unfortunately ...