Taxation (International and Other Provisions) Act 2010 section 144

Issue of certificate

Section 144 enables HMRC officers to issue certificates that allow UK-resident individuals to receive savings income from overseas paying agents without having special withholding tax deducted under the laws of the overseas territory.

• UK residents can apply in writing to HMRC for a certificate to present to an overseas paying agent, avoiding the deduction of special withholding tax on their savings income
• The applicant must provide HMRC with personal details (name, address, National Insurance number or date and place of birth), account or investment details, the paying agent's name and address, and the desired validity period (up to 3 years)
• HMRC must issue the certificate within 2 months of receiving all required information and supporting documents, and the certificate must be in writing stating the applicant's details, the paying agent's details, and the validity period
• The certificate procedure applies both to EU member states (under the EU Savings Directive) and to other non-UK territories with equivalent international arrangements, with modifications as necessary to reflect the terms of those arrangements