A popular property investment strategy in the UK, buy-to-let, involves purchasing a property with a mortgage to rent it out, thus generating rental income that is then used to pay off the mortgage.
While this strategy has the potential to enhance your property and overall investment portfolio, the associated costs and taxes can be complex and overwhelming. You can benefit from the expertise of accountants for landlords.
A buy-to-let mortgage often requires a higher initial investment than a standard mortgage. You typically need to pay a deposit of around 25% (though it can vary). There are also various tax implications linked to buy-to-let properties:
- Income tax – This tax applies to landlords who rely on rent as their income. If you fall in this category, you are required to declare the rent you earn in your self-assessment tax returns. The tax on your rental income will be 20%, 40%, or 45%, depending on whether you are a basic-rate, higher-rate, or additional-rate taxpayer.
That said, you may be able to reduce your taxes by deducting allowable expenses from your rental income. These expenses include letting agent fees, maintenance costs, and mortgage interest payments. Accountants for landlords are adept at identifying these deductible expenses and can incorporate them into your tax calculations, ensuring that you pay the correct amount of tax.
- Capital gains tax – When considering a buy-to-let investment, most investors expect to profit from the property’s increasing market value. However, selling a buy-to-let property entails paying capital gains tax on the profit, which is calculated after deducting allowable costs like stamp duty, improvement costs, legal fees, and the original purchase price. Accountants for landlords can provide detailed advice on these tax obligations to help investors understand their potential tax liabilities when selling a property.
- Stamp duty tax – Accountants for landlords also specialise in assessing stamp duty tax eligibility. This tax usually affects properties below £300,000 (but it’s waived for first-time buyers). The cost of the property determines the rate, with a 3% extra charge on second properties. In certain situations, a refund may be available if the first property is sold within 18 months. Accountants for landlords can help investors understand if they qualify for any stamp duty reliefs or refunds, potentially lessening their tax obligations.
These are just some taxes that apply to landlords and property investors in a buy-to-let scenario. To learn more, arrange a meeting with Allenby Accountants by calling 0208 914 8887.
