Whether you have to pay UK tax or not very much depends on how long you spend working out of the country. Your earnings may still be subject to UK tax although they may have already been taxed in the country where you worked. But don't worry you don't have to pay tax on the same wages twice. The Revenue takes into account any foreign tax you may have paid when working out how much UK tax is due. Where there is a "double taxation treaty" you may not have to pay any UK tax on some income. If there is no treaty, you may be able to claim that the credit should be given against UK tax but you will only get the lower of the overseas tax liability and the UK tax due on the same income. You might not get all the tax allowed.

When you leave the UK to work abroad you have to let the Revenue know and there is a form to fill in - a form P85. If you want to know some help filling in the form or more information about tax and working abroad, HMRC Residency, which is part of Revenue - International, may be able to help you with UK income tax matters. You can write to or e mail HMRC Residency or you can phone them - you can find their contact details here