It might be that the seafarers earnings deduction is hmrcs best kept secret and rightly so. Seaman record book or continuous discharge certificate or. Discharge books and british seaman s card a discharge book is a continuous record of a seafarer s service and is not a proof of identity. It is a requirement that seafarers working on uk flagged ships or large yachts have a uk discharge book or one that is issued by one of the governments listed in msf 4509.
You mentioned seatax, good company, i used them for 10 years, that is the only way to, get a tax consultant who understands seamans tax. British seamans discharge book rovworld subsea information. Photographing for a seaman s discharge book takes place in the latvians registry of seamen on the 1st floor in the information room no. Feb 09, 2015 i tried to find the fal convention to better answer the question authoritatively, but cant find it currently. Seafarers discharge book and id card seafarers ireland. A seamans discharge book sdb, sometimes known as a seamans. I am a merchant mariner what tax deductions can i get.
Seaman service book ssb is a continuous record of a seamans service issued in pakistan. The following information must be provided in the body of the email. The merchant shipping seamens documents regulations 1987. Discharge books, identity certificates and central indexes 1900 to 1939 and beyond. The secretary of state for transport, after consulting with the organisations referred to in section 992 of the merchant shipping act 1970 hereinafter called the act, in exercise of powers conferred by sections 70 and 71 of the act and now vested in him, and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, hereby makes the following regulations. The seaman s book is issued on the basis of a seafarer s application prepared in the latvians registry of seamen. Tax desk book usa, pennsylvania eckert seamans, et. This document certifies that the person holding is a seaman as per the international convention on standards of training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers stcw, 1978, as amended from time to time. Pay and tax details, in the form of a copy of your 2019 p60 or end of year financial statement. Hopefully i will get my hands on it over the next few days and come back to edit it. I have been told as because sometimes we will be attatched to the sea bed we will not be able to apply for a tax rebate, however we are in international waters. In 2017, this underutilised piece of legislation celebrated its twentieth birthday. Half this number is 76 days and daves return visit whilst he was on leave only lasted.
Sep 01, 2018 a seamans discharge book, sometimes known as a seamans service book ssb, is a full record of a seafarers career experience and certification. The average over a 4 year period must not exceed 91 days per year. This results in a further 61 tax qualifying days out of the uk. Application for seamans record book and certificate of. What special privileges does a traveller with a seaman. It can also apply to nonuk resident employees who are resident for tax. Youll need to register for self asessment and fill in a tax return and relevant pages giving. This will record your time whilst on ship, but it will not record your time whilst on holiday out of the uk. I got my seamans book a long time ago and it had to be for a british flagged vessel, not sure how it is nowadays as there arent too many of them left sadly. This document certifies that the person holding is a seaman as per the international convention on standards of training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers. They were helpful, gave me an address, told me i needed a letter of introduction from my employer with letter head, and a passport photo. If you are resident in the uk if you are resident in the uk you must register for uk taxation and complete a self assessment tax return, including the supplementary employment and additional information pages. These regulations revoke the merchant shipping seamens documents regulations 1972, as amended, and reenact them with further amendments. You need a seamans discharge book if youre a british seafarer, or are working on a ukregistered ship or yacht.
This unique piece of tax legislation, allows seafarers to claim a 100% tax exemption on all of their foreign earnings, yet amazingly, few people actually use it. We will always carry out a search of our records to a high standard based on our expertise and professionalism. What entries do i need to post on the tax return as this is a first for me. Discharge books and british seaman s card a discharge book is a continuous record of a seafarers service and is not a proof of identity. Section 3 application for seamans record book, only if applicaple online application section 4 personal declaration i hereby declare that the personal details are true and correct, the photograph is a true likeness of me and the submitted supporting documents are of valid and authentic documents. Requirements and procedure for seamans book new applicants editorial staff public info one of the most promising jobs that male filipinos want is to become a seaman. We liaise with hmrc on behalf of our clients regarding all matters concerning completion of individuals annual tax returns, arranging no tax nt code numbers where appropriate, claims to exemption from uk income tax on overseas income under the nr rules, seafarers earnings deduction sed, claims to ftcr and income from property that is let. This document certifies that the person holding is a seaman as per the international convention on standards of training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers, 1978, as amended 1995. Ship is not defined in tax law, but offshore installations which are not ships include. Im sure theyd rather spend 20 seconds putting you on the right track than however long it takes to return the paperwork and wait for you to resend it if its filled. My number, r576086 was issued at the vindicatrix, 6 june 1952 i had three full discharge books all with the same number to 1994 discharge book numbering from ww 2 to 1972 for british seamen page 4 register. Procedure of issue of seamans discharge book drupal. Rumours are rife within the industry that a seamans book can carry weight to back up or even replace visa applications or passports.
Per diem the controversial deduction the tax shack inc. You are also obliged to ensure that the discharge book has been filled in correctly by the master or that the shipowner issues a record of service. How do i apply for a british seaman s discharge book. Hev you considered getting a panamanian seamans book as i believe they are a lot easier to obtain. As people here mentioned, one of the advantages of possessing a seaman s book or continuous discharge certificates cdc is that you can book cheap one way tickets from airline agents and even get 30 kg baggage allowance.
Thats why mariners hire professionals to assist in determining tax positions. It is therefore essential that you keep your seafarers discharge book. It is a requirement that seafarers working on uk flagged ships or large yachts have a uk discharge book or one that is issued. Application procedures iri international registries, inc. For instance, if youre claiming for the 201516 tax year, youll need to do it by the 5th of april 2020. The rules arent that simple or straight forward but we make it easy for you. Seafarers accountants specialists in seafarers tax. Sdb application page 1 and 2 page one must be original and cannot be a photocopy. If youre an employee and work at sea, you may be able to reduce your tax bill by getting the seafarers earnings deduction.
Get a seamans discharge book or british seamans card gov. You cannot be in the uk more than 183 days not necessarily consecutive in any one tax year. What if you forget to include a w2 in your tax return submission. You dont pay us until any refund is issued and we dont waste your time with unnecessary questions. We aim to provide a very personal, friendly service which meets the specific needs of each client. For many years, it has been the practice for the master to enter his opinion of a seamans conduct and ability in that seamans discharge book, together with information about the ship, the period of service and the seamans position. Update of sea service, to include a clear photocopy of your discharge book entries including inside front. The historical context that saw the first incarnations of this tax exemption. You apply online for a discharge book by filling in the application form, which is to be submitted to the danish maritime authority.
If you could check through the list and send on details relevant to your own situation we would be most grateful. Preparers were quick to state that there were secret methods associated with the preparation of tax returns for merchant seamen. Youll need to register for self asessment and fill in a tax return and relevant. A seaman record book or continuous discharge certificate is a continuous record of a seaman s service. British seamens cards no longer require endorsement after 5 years. The mi273, application for seafarers identification and record book and special qualifications may be downloaded and filled in electronically. If you do qualify, then we discount your final fee. Frequently asked questions crew training bluewater. Application for seamans record book and certificate of discharge. If you have lost your discharge book, you can order a new one online, but unfortunately the danish maritime authority cannot insert your previously completed seagoing service in your new discharge book. We will need you discharge book, shops log and details of your foreign holidays. Seafarers earnings deduction what you need to know. After evaluation of presented documents, process of assessment completed, confirmation from the administration of issuance and payment of relevant fees, certificate of competency coc and seamans book together with corresponding certificates for officers under the stcw convention 1995 as amended will be issued.
Dec 30, 20 what is an seaman book continuous discharge certificate cdc. Get a seamans discharge book or british seamans card. Jul 25, 2019 seafarers earnings deduction sed is a less commonly known yet distinct piece of uk tax legislation that grants seafarers the right to claim 100% tax exemption on foreign earnings, as long as they qualify. Hisher distinguishing marks na if not applicable iii. What is the procedure for filing income tax return for. Also if we are eligable to do this how you would go about applying for a book.
British seamens cards are no longer obligatory for british seafarers. Seaman book we will assist you in filing and processing of. Update of sea service, to include a clear photocopy of your discharge book entries including inside front cover which shows your personal details or discharge certificates, qualifying tax night sheets, if working in the north sea then clear copies of the two page draught of water and freeboard showing the date and time a vessel leaves or. Seafarers accountants provides bespoke tax advice to individual seafarers and maritime companies wishing to take advantage of tax legislation in order to reduce tax and manage their tax affairs in an international environment. This law came fully into effect in 2012 after a long battle between the trade unions and the hmrc, spanning almost 15 years in the courts. The document below contains a checklist of the detailsdocuments which we require in order to complete and submit your tax return. The seamans book certifies that the seafarer holding it is a seaman as per the international convention on standards of training, certification and watchkeeping stcw.
First of all i have an official merchant navy discharge book issued on the the 12th november 1957 in liverpool on entry to the british merchant navy of which i am very proud to have served, sadly for only seven years, but i have to admit that it was one of the most interestingenjoyable times of my working life. Generally anyone resident in the uk will pay uk tax on all their. Application for a discharge book andor a british seamans. Help with seaman s card an discharge book 29th july 2014, 10. Every bonafide seafarer on a caymanregistered vessel, including yachts, is eligible to be issued upon request and submission of the required supporting documentation with a cayman seamans discharge book sdb. Dont send them with your tax return, but you may be. The seafarers earnings deduction sed is a tricky piece of tax legislation. It is not intended to be the primary document for purposes of personal identification and border control clearance. An irish citizen who is either a member of crew, engaged in the navigation of the vessel, or who is not a member of crew, but works as a supernumerary i. If you are sure that you qualify for sed then you may be looking for an efficient tax service. The singapore seaman discharge book sdb is only issued to singapore citizen or permanent resident for the purpose of logging hisher sea time to pursue professional qualifications in seafaring career. It is essential that when you complete a tax return that you declare. If you dont need us to check your days or read the ships logs, then we can process your return quickly and efficiently.
Here is a catch 22 question, been asked to send my cv in for a anti piracy job,someone is bidding on a contract and needs to be able to show personnel on books, and ive been asked to provide a discharge book and a seamen s card,i have all the forms in front of me, but to process the. Are there time limits for claiming seafarers earnings deduction. The certificate was essential to the seamans potential for gaining a billet in another vessel. You can claim for previous years, but theres a strict 4year limit. The british seaman s card is similar to a british passport and is internationally accepted, allowing seafarers to land at. A twic is not a seaman s discharge book and is not a seaman s document of any kind any more than a physical exam or a drug test result. Merchant navy seamen and officers 191972 this paid search guide will help you to decide whether to use the national archives paid search service. A seaman record book or continuous discharge certificate is a continuous record of a seamans service. The total number of days from the first day abroad on the 1 st july to the last day abroad after his return uk visit 30 th september was 152 days. He is a seaman and has passed me his p60 and a p60 from a pension income. Seafarers must themselves record their seagoing service. An application for an irish seafarers discharge book can be made if you are. This could include your seamans discharge book or certificates of discharge flightferry tickets, copies of ships logs, hotel bills, credit card vouchers etc. Dockwalk the essential site for captains and crew docktalk.
Seamens discharge book every bonafide seafarer on a caymanregistered vessel, including yachts, is eligible to be issued upon request and submission of the required supporting documentation with a cayman seaman s discharge book sdb. Marinet is an internetbased ecommerce system owned by the maritime and port authority of singapore for the maritime community. It requires that certain facts be included in the certificate or in the entry, prohibits other information from being included, and requires the. Seafarers earning deductions tax aid for seafarers. This is the usequivalent of a seaman s discharge book. A period of claim usually starts in the middle of a tax year, and ends in the middle of a tax year, for which splityear treatment can be claimed. Per diem the controversial deduction posted on january 17, 2014 by tax shack 4 comments the story of a sweet deduction that becomes involved in scandal and deception and eventually ends with heartbreak and legal battles. To go on board, you wont be needing a visa but you will need an sirb seamans identification record book or seamans book. Holland tax refunds annually in february netherlands tax office sends an invitation to file a tax return. Once you have completed the form, the form must be dated and the applicant and filing agent must sign the form in the appropriate boxes. Seafarers earning deduction moore stephens crew benefits. It is not as easy as it seems because you will start from the lowest point and you have to work your way up to become captain or part of the highest paid and wellrespected people in the ship. The required items to be submitted with seamans discharge book sdb application are.
But legally speaking these claims dont hold much water. Seafarers earnings deduction hmrcs secret yacht crew. If the op holds a 100 ton uscg license without twic then the license has been invalid for several years. Annual income information return for nonresident citizens ocws and seamen for foreignsourced income description. Complete an application form and submit to the registrar of seafarers, along with. Even you havent received an invitation, but you have worked in holland we definitely advise you to check how much tax you have overpaid and get your money back.
A return visit to the uk can also count towards the qualifying. This information return is filed in triplicate by nonresident citizens and overseas contract workers ocws, including qualified filipino seamen, on income derived from sources abroad. Discharge book numbering from ww 2 to 1972 for british. They screamed that sailors couldnt efile because special documents had to be attached to a return and mailed in. It is also not a requirement to have this for claiming the sed. When i returned to canada i contacted the marine division, and told them where i lived. Government notifies a rule under which if you spend 182 days and more in an year outside the nation, you will be exempted from paying taxes, because in that situation you will become eligible for non resident indian status. Home country continuous discharge book or seamans book showing experience of minimum one year or two in case of upgrade of coc for master and chief engineer formal letters of companies employers proving sea experience. If at any point of return to the uk the days in the uk exceed 50% of the. Income tax guide for indian seafarer merchant navy taxadda. When declaring not ordinarily resident status in the uk to hmrc, one must declare where one is resident on ones tax return. Man r001 01 application for a discharge book andor a british seamans card under the merchant shipping seamans documents regulations 1987 as they have effect in the isle of man with every application you should part a yourself in block capitals send a. You can also apply through the 24hour premium service. Requirements and procedure for seamans book new applicants.