SEAFARER earnings deductions have long been a sensitive topic and the officers’ union, Nautilus, is celebrating after the High Court found that seafarers are eligible for tax relief.
The implications of the case could be considerable and Nautilus says it could be worth about £70,000 for some individuals. The case revolves around the tax authorities failing to inform seafarers that they were changing the rules. UK seafarers used to be able to count as a day outside the UK one where they were outside territorial waters at midnight. This changed so that they had to be on a voyage involving a foreign port. Having failed to inform seafarers of the change, the authorities have opened the door to claims for repayment of tax so Nautilus says it wants to hear from any seafarer who thinks he might have a claim under the broad concession.
