The Isle of Man is situated in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. It has a territory of 572 square kilometres and a population of +/- 84,000 people. The Isle of Man is a self-governing dependency of the British Crown and citizens of the island have the status of British citizens. The British Crown is entitled to intervene in the domestic affairs of the Isle of Man, in order to guarantee ‘good government’ in all Crown dependencies. Additionally, the British Crown is responsible for defence and external affairs of the island.
Scope of the income tax
The income tax applies to resident individuals as well as to non-resident individuals receiving Manx-source income. A Manx resident is an individual who (1) resides physically in the Isle of Man for an aggregate period of at least 6 months in any tax year, or alternatively, (2) resides there, on average, at least 3 months per year over a 4-year period. Such an individual is then regarded as a Manx resident from the fifth year onwards.
The taxable income
Personal income tax is levied on the worldwide income of Manx residents and on the Manx-source income of non-resident individuals.
The following categories of income are exempt from tax: the capital element of a purchased life annuity, certain social security benefits, pensions in respect of employment or wartime disability, war widows’ pensions.
Rates of the personal tax
Manx residents enjoy a personal tax allowance depending on their personal status. For example, an individual doesn’t pay personal income tax on his/her first GBP 9,300 of income. With regard to the taxable income, income tax is levied at a rate of 10% on the first GBP 10,500 of taxable income and 20% on the rest.
Maximum amount payable
Manx residents are liable to a limited amount of personal income tax on a yearly basis: an individual’s tax liability is capped at GBP 120,000 while married couples or civil partners have a tax liability of GBP 240,000 if they opt for joint assessment.
Other taxes
The Isle of Man imposes no capital gains tax, no wealth tax, no stamp duty and no inheritance tax.