Capital Gains Tax changes
HMRC made several changes to Capital Gains Tax regime, specifically in relation to properties, from 6 April 2020. Below we highlight the changes and what they could mean for you, please get in touch for specific detailed advice for your circumstances (see bottom of this page for contact details).
Firstly, what is Capital Gains Tax?
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is payable when you sell (or dispose of):
- Most personal possessions worth £6,000 or more (excluding cars)
- Property that is not your main home
- Your main home if you have let it out, used it for business or it is very large
- Shares that are not in an ISA or PEP
- Business assets
When Capital Gains Tax is due on disposals of assets, such as a property, tax is payable on any ‘gain’ made i.e. sales price minus purchase price.
As we are specifically considering residential property in this instance the rates of CGT that will be applicable are 18% for basic rate tax payers and 28% for higher rate taxpayers – these are chargeable on any gain made (remember the gain could push you into higher rate tax bracket). Previously CGT was reported on your self-assessment tax return which is due by 31 January after the end of relevant tax year ( a tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April). There is now an option for residential properties where you can report online via your personal tax account using HMRC’s ‘real time’ CGT service.
Are there any Capital Gains Tax exemptions?
There are several reliefs that are available with regards CGT which are complex so for this situation let's briefly mention a few of them (there are also reliefs for business assets, for example, that have not been mentioned here):
What are the changes that came into effect from 6 April 2020?
These changes mean that owners of residential property will have to think carefully about the timing of any sale or gift of their property. The 30-day reporting and payment window was already in place for non-resident landlords who must report any sale to HMRC even if no gain was made. While on topic of non-resident landlords it is worth highlight the option to rebase your purchase cost based on 5 April 2015 market value (known as 'rebasing method').
For UK residents these new requirements will affect those disposing of rental properties or second homes i.e. (assuming proposed changes come into effect) from 6 April 2020 you will need to submit a ‘payment on account return’ to HMRC within 30 days of completion of the sale and make payment within same 30-day time limit. They will not apply to disposals covered wholly by private residence relief (PPR) but will apply to the non-exempt element of the gain where only partial PPR is available.
As the reporting timeframe is only 30 days you must estimate what tax rate is applicable to them i.e. basic or higher rate even though the current tax year hasn’t yet ended which could mean people pay too much CGT and must wait until after the end of the tax year to complete a self-assessment tax return to recover any overpaid tax.
How do I navigate the new changes from 6 April 2020?
Therefore you have two options:-
GET IN TOUCH
Give Hollis Accounting Limited a call on 0131 225 2821 or email cgt@hollisaccounting.co.uk to discuss your requirements further and receive a no obligaation quote.
If you are an existing client, as ever, feel free to pick up the phone/drop us an email to discuss the CGT aspects when you are considering selling a property / any larger value asset.