When I first went offshore I thought I had my finances sorted: work my rotations, clock up 183 days abroad, and let HMRC refund the income tax each April. The lump-sum felt great – until I realised most of it had vanished by June!
Last year a mate told me to speak with Cfarer Tax. They explained a game-changer I’d never heard of: moving into the zero-rate Seafarer Tax band.
Here’s what happened next…
From lump-sum windfalls to bigger monthly pay cheques
Before: Net salary arrived with a hefty PAYE deduction, then I’d wait 12 months to claw it back.
Now: My wages hit my account in full—no tax deducted. Overnight my take-home jumped by about £600 every month.
No more 183-day paranoia
Counting sea days used to eat into every leave period. One bad weather delay and the magic number could slip away. With zero-rate banding, the pressure’s off – no spreadsheets, no sleepless nights.
Extra perk: side gigs in the UK
When I pick up a short contract on shore, any PAYE that gets taken still comes back to me at year-end because my personal allowance is untouched. Tax-free at sea, refund ashore – win-win.
Why I’m sticking with Cfarer Tax
- They handled all the correspondence with HMRC.
- I only pay National Insurance; the rest stays in my bank.
- Every month feels like payday used to feel after the refund.
“The zero-rate Seafarer Tax banding turned my annual waiting game into instant cash-flow, and wiped out the stress of day-counting.”
Think your rotations should pay you more up-front?
Book a free 15-minute call with the experts at Cfarer Tax and see if zero-rate banding can boost your pay packet.
