Taxbytes for Expats

Returning to Ireland can be far more complicated than booking flights and packing boxes. In this episode of Taxbytes For Expats, Stephanie Wickham speaks with Sarah Owen from Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project about the emotional and practical realities of moving back. They discuss planning, documentation, accommodation, support networks, and why “home” can feel different after years abroad. It is a practical conversation for Irish expats thinking about returning, especially those unsure where to start.
The conversation looks beyond the romantic version of “coming home” and into the practical details that can catch people out, from housing and school places to PPS numbers, medical records, employment and support services.
Sarah explains that people often speak to Crosscare about practical matters first, but the emotional adjustment comes up naturally in conversation. Many returning emigrants find it difficult to say they are struggling, especially when family members have been hoping for their return. That can make the transition feel isolating, even when the move was wanted.
This conversation is a useful starting point for any returning Irish expat, family or professional who wants to make the move with fewer surprises and a clearer sense of what needs to happen next.
Main Topics
The emotional adjustment of returning to Ireland and why “home” can feel different after time abroad.
Practical planning before moving back, including work, schools, location and family needs.
Key documents to gather before leaving another country, such as medical records, birth certificates and marriage certificates.
Accommodation challenges for returning Irish expats in the current Irish housing market.
Support available through Irish networks abroad, Citizens Information and Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project.

About the Guest
Sarah Owen works with Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project, a government-funded service supporting Irish people abroad and those returning to Ireland.
The project provides information, guidance and signposting for a wide range of situations. Some people are planning a return years in advance. Others are coming home because of crisis, conflict, deportation or sudden changes in personal circumstances. Crosscare helps people understand where to start, what services may be relevant and what practical steps they may need to take.
Sarah brings a grounded and compassionate perspective to the conversation, with a clear understanding that returning to Ireland can be both a hopeful and stressful experience.
Website: https://diasporasupport.ie/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahelisabethowen/
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Use the link below and quote "Expat Taxes" when registering with Currencies Direct to receive a €50 One4All or Amazon voucher when you transfer €5000 or more in your first six months with Currencies Direct.
*Click here for a special offer from our sponsor, Currencies Direct*
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If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at info@expattaxes.ie or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/.
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Chapters:
(00:00) Welcome to Taxbytes for Expats
(00:49) Why Returning “Home” Can Feel Different
(01:33) The Emotional Side of Moving Back to Ireland
(04:36) Planning Before You Return
(05:34) Documents to Gather Before Leaving
(06:28) Accommodation and the Reality of Ireland’s Housing Market
(08:49) Support Networks for Irish People Abroad
(12:25) Why Online Advice Needs a Pinch of Salt
(14:48) Where to Start If You’re Thinking of Coming Home
(17:46) How Crosscare Supports Returning Irish Expats

Returning to Ireland can look straightforward from the outside. You know the place, you may have family here, and there is often a comforting idea that moving home should be easier than moving away. As Sarah Owen explains in this episode, that is not always how it works in practice.
Stephanie Wickham speaks with Sarah Owen from Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project about the real-life issues facing Irish citizens and their families when they are emigrating or returning to Ireland.
Sarah explains why planning a return should include more than flights and shipping boxes. It highlights the importance of checking housing options, PPS numbers, school places, healthcare access, social welfare eligibility and local supports before the move, especially where the return is happening quickly.
For anyone also dealing with foreign income, foreign savings, foreign assets, tax residency or cross-border tax questions, this episode is a useful reminder that the practical and financial pieces often overlap. Personalised tax advice may still be needed where the timing of the move affects Irish tax resident status, worldwide income, Irish-source income or future tax compliance.
About the Guest
Sarah Owen is Project Leader with Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project, a Dublin-based nonprofit funded by the Government of Ireland. Crosscare provides information and advocacy assistance to Irish citizens moving abroad and returning to Ireland, with a particular focus on people who are marginalised or in crisis.
Sarah is a dual Irish and French citizen with lived experience of migration. She has worked in Irish diaspora support and engagement for almost 15 years, across frontline support, policy, research and outreach. Her work is grounded in helping people make informed migration decisions, rather than pushing them towards or away from returning.
Website: https://diasporasupport.ie/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahelisabethowen/
*****
Use the link below and quote "Expat Taxes" when registering with Currencies Direct to receive a €50 One4All or Amazon voucher when you transfer €5000 or more in your first six months with Currencies Direct.
*Click here for a special offer from our sponsor, Currencies Direct*
*****
If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at info@expattaxes.ie or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/.
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Chapters:
(00:00) Welcome to Taxbytes for Expats
(00:30) Introducing Sarah Owen and Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project
(02:01) Sarah’s background and lived experience of migration
(03:59) How Crosscare supports Irish citizens abroad and returning home
(07:37) Recent trends in Irish emigration and return migration
(09:46) Sponsor Message: Currencies Direct
(10:32) Why returning to Ireland is not always straightforward
(12:40) Information, advocacy and making an informed return
(13:59) Social welfare, housing supports and habitual residence
(15:45) Red tape, GP access, schools and family supports
(16:52) Reverse culture shock, identity and belonging
(18:44) How long it can take to feel settled back in Ireland

There are some great opportunities to take, and mistakes to avoid, when making the move from or to the UK. And the best way to make the most of the move is to chat to an expert in cross-jurisdictional tax to make it easy!
In this second part of my conversation with Nicola Goldsmith, we get into the areas that tend to trip people up most. And honestly, this comes up a lot in conversations with clients.
There’s often a belief that tax residency is something you can manage or “choose,” or that if you’re not physically in a country, you’ve left the tax system behind. As Nicola explains, it’s not quite that simple. We step through what really happens when you leave the UK but keep UK assets, how double tax treaties actually work in practice (and why they don’t eliminate tax altogether), and the risks that come with business structures and remote working across borders.
The key thing to note here is that many of these issues aren’t obvious until you’re already in the middle of them. And by then, it can be costly to unwind. This is one of those areas where understanding the detail upfront can make a very real difference.
Main Topics Discussed in this Episode
The Myth of “Choosing” Your Tax Residency: A common misconception is that you can decide where you’re tax resident, when in reality, tax authorities have extensive data to determine your position whether you realise it or not.
How Tax Authorities Track Your Movements: From flight data to banking activity, Nicola explains how easily tax authorities can cross-reference information across jurisdictions when something doesn’t add up.
Understanding Double Tax Treaties in Practice: Double tax treaties don’t eliminate tax - they determine where tax is paid first and how relief is given, which is often misunderstood by expats.
Keeping UK Assets While Living Abroad: Just because you’ve left the UK doesn’t mean your UK income or gains fall outside the UK tax net, particularly when it comes to property and other source-based income.
Business Structures, Remote Work & Permanent Establishment Risks: Running a business or working remotely from another country can unintentionally create tax exposure in that new jurisdiction, even for individuals operating through their own company.

Book a consult with Nicola
Website: www.expattaxes.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-goldsmith-tep-cta-b22363149/
*****
Use the link below and quote "Expat Taxes" when registering with Currencies Direct to receive a €50 One4All or Amazon voucher when you transfer €5000 or more in your first six months with Currencies Direct.
*Click here for a special offer from our sponsor, Currencies Direct*
*****
If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at info@expattaxes.ie or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/.
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Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:30) Residency Mistakes: Can You Choose Where You're Tax Resident?
(01:07) How Tax Authorities Track Your Movements
(02:25) The Reality of “Self-Assessment” and Data Cross-Checking
(04:01) Global Information Sharing Between Tax Authorities
(05:15) Leaving the UK but Keeping UK Assets: What to Know
(05:41) How Double Tax Treaties Actually Work
(07:31) Why UK Income Often Remains Taxable
(09:01) Real Client Scenarios: When Things Go Wrong
(10:16) Business Structures & Permanent Establishment Risks
(12:49) Remote Work, Employers & Cross-Border Tax Issues
(17:26) Why Tax Rules Haven’t Caught Up with Modern Working
(18:22) What It’s Like to Work with Nicola Goldsmith

Register for the Webinar now, as spots are limited. Head to tinyurl.com/EXPATUAE for details on how to register.
On Wednesday, 25th June 12pm Irish Time (that's GMT+1), Steph will be running a live webinar to talk about the major financial issues that can arise as an Expat or Professional considering the move to Ireland from the UAE or Middle East.
Its too easy to leave tax and finance as a thought after your move - you need to get on top of it well before you come to Ireland to avoid the stumbling blocks that can affect your financial security and your tax compliance. Which is why this webinar with Steph Wickham can help!
Join the webinar to hear Steph talk about:
✔ Irish tax residency rules
✔ Timing your move back to Ireland
✔ Foreign income and investment considerations
✔ UAE savings, bank accounts & reporting issues
✔ Property, pensions & capital gains tax traps
✔ Returning with a non-Irish spouse or family
✔ Common mistakes that can create unexpected tax bills
✔ Planning opportunities before you relocate

And the info covered in this webinar is crucial for you if you're:
● Irish citizens and entrepreneurs living in the UAE or Middle East
● Professionals planning a return to Ireland
● Families relocating back within the next 1-3 years, or;
● Individuals with investments, property, pensions or company interests abroad

For only €49, you get access to Stephanie Wickham's expertise in a live session that is sure to make your journey back to Ireland from the Middle East much simpler.
Spaces are limited, so secure your spot on the webinar by heading to tinyurl.com/EXPATUAE for details on how to register.
*****
If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at info@expattaxes.ie or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/.
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There’s a lot to consider when you’re an expat, in or outside the UK, and trying to be tax compliant. You might not think so, but tax planning starts before you even book your flights.
In this episode, I’m joined by Nicola Goldsmith, one of our trusted UK partners for Expat Taxes UK, for the first part of a really practical conversation around UK tax planning for expats.
Nicola brings nearly three decades of experience in cross-border tax, and what I particularly enjoy about this discussion is how grounded it is in real-life decision-making. As Nicola agrees, tax is far more about problem-solving than it is about numbers.
We walk through the fundamentals of UK tax residency, what actually determines where you’re taxed, and why timing is everything if you’re planning a move. This comes up a lot in conversations with clients, because people usually leave decisions too late and miss opportunities that are entirely legitimate.
Nicola explains how differences in tax years can create short windows for planning, the importance of understanding your income streams across borders, and how new rules like the FIG regime are changing the landscape for those arriving in or returning to the UK.
If you’re considering a move to or from the UK, or you’re already navigating life across jurisdictions, this episode will help you better understand the common misconceptions and where early advice can make a meaningful difference to your overall tax position.
Main Topics Discussed in this Episode
Why Tax is Really About Problem Solving: Nicola shares her journey into tax and explains why the real skill lies in solving people’s individual circumstances—not crunching numbers.
Understanding the Complexity of UK Tax Rules: We discuss how UK tax legislation works in practice, including why headline rates can be misleading and how different rules interact in unexpected ways.
Planning Ahead When Leaving or Moving to the UK: The key thing to note here is that early planning creates opportunities—particularly around timing, structuring income, and managing assets across borders.
Using Tax Residency Timing to Your Advantage: This is one of those areas where small timing differences—sometimes just days—can open up legitimate planning opportunities, including periods of non-residence.
A Practical Overview of UK Tax Residency Rules: Nicola breaks down the fundamentals of UK tax residency, including automatic tests, the ties test, and how split-year treatment works in real-life scenarios.

Book a consult with Nicola
Website: www.expattaxes.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-goldsmith-tep-cta-b22363149/

*****
Use the link below and quote "Expat Taxes" when registering with Currencies Direct to receive a €50 One4All or Amazon voucher when you transfer €5000 or more in your first six months with Currencies Direct.
*Click here for a special offer from our sponsor, Currencies Direct*
*****
If you loved this episode or have a similar story, we'd love to hear from you! You can get in touch with us directly at info@expattaxes.ie or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Taxbytes for Expats is brought to you by ExpatTaxes.ie. If you're considering moving to or from Ireland and would like support with your taxes, book a consultation today: https://expattaxes.ie/book-a-consult/.
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Chapters:
(00:00) Welcome to Taxbytes for Expats
(01:11) Introducing Nicola Goldsmith & Her Tax Background
(02:25) Why Tax is About Problem Solving, Not Numbers
(04:10) How Tax Systems Differ Across Countries
(06:03) Understanding UK Tax Complexity & Rates
(10:19) Key Considerations When Leaving the UK
(12:12) Planning Opportunities & Non-Residency Windows
(13:57) Why Early Tax Planning Matters for Expats
(14:23) Timing Your Move & UK Tax Year Nuances
(15:56) The New FIG Regime Explained
(18:25) Changes to Inheritance Tax & Domicile Rules
(23:08) UK Tax Residency Rules Simplified