Understand various UK property tax when you intend to invest property in UK. There are few taxes during acquisition, owning, and disposing your UK property. Below are the general taxes you need to know. We advise you to engage professional tax expert if you have personal circumstances and would like to discuss about more specific case.
UK property tax when you purchase your property
Stamp duty land tax (SDLT)
Below are the stamp duty land tax rate effective from 4 December 2014
Property purchase price | SDLT rate from 4 December 2014 |
Up to £125,000 | 0% |
£125,001 - £250,000 (Next £125,000) | 2% |
£250,001 - £925,000 (Next £675,000) | 5% |
£925,001 - £1,500,000 (Next 575,000) | 10% |
Above £1,500,000 | 12% |
Additional stamp duty tax applied if you are buying for investment/rent out or buy-to-let. Extra 3% stamp duty rate is imposed for property cost more than £40,000.
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Council tax
Annual UK property tax also known as council tax is the main form of local property taxation. It is charged on domestic property and is collected by local authorities. Generally the higher price, the greater tax will be.
Each local authority keeps a "Valuation list" of all domestic property in its area. Property value are assessed annually and put into valuation band with corresponding charge.
If you are an investor and you rent our your property, council tax will be payable by the tenants.
Because the council tax rate is not fixed and it is assessed periodically, you can refer to https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/working-out-your-council-tax or you can check with the property consultant who are assisting you in your purchase.
UK Rental income tax
The UK rental income tax rate is 20% after netting off all allowable property related expenses.
Below are the list allowable deducted expenses:
- letting agents’ fees
- legal fees for lets of a year or less, or for renewing a lease for less than 50 years
- accountants’ fees
- buildings and contents insurance
- interest on property loans
- maintenance and repairs to the property (but not improvements)
- utility bills, like gas, water and electricity
- rent, ground rent, service charges
- council Tax
- services you pay for, like cleaning or gardening
- other direct costs of letting the property, like phone calls, stationery and advertising
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UK Capital gain tax
The capital gain tax rate depends your basic income tax band which is £31,871 for 2015 to 2016 tax year. If you fall into the basic income tax band, you will pay 18% capital gain tax. Any amount above, you will need to pay 28%. Moreover, there is £11,100 annual exempt amount for 2015/2016.
UK Inheritance tax
Everyone in 2015-1026 tax year has free tax allowance of £325,000. This allowance has remained the same since 2010-2011 and it will stay until at least 2017. Any amount above this threshold will be charged at 40% for inheritance tax. To avoid or reduce the amount of inheritance tax, when you buy London property, it is advisable to buy under 2 names or more because the threshold is for each individual.
The threshold per person is £325,000, so if property bought under 2 names, the threshold will be £650,000
Anything over the threshold will be subject to 40% tax
According to 2015 budget, new provision allowing individuals and married couples to pass on their home with a smaller tax liability.
2017-2018: £100,000, total threshold: £425,000 (1 person), £850,000 (2 persons)
2018-2019: £125,000, total threshold: £450,000 (1 person), £900,000 (2 persons)
2019-2020: £150,000, total threshold: £475,000 (1 person), £950,000 (2 persons)
2020-2021: £175,000, total threshold: £500,000 (1 person), £1,000,000 (2 persons)
It will then increase in line with Consumer Prices Index (CPI) from 2021 to 2022 onwards.
7 Years Rule
If you pass on your property more than the threshold value as a gift, the 7 years rule apply
Year between gift and death | Tax paid |
Less than 3 years | 40% |
3 to 4 | 32% |
4 to 5 | 24% |
5 to 6 | 16% |
6 to 7 | 8% |
7 or more | 0% |
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