UPDATE 8 APRIL 2020 Recent guidance from HMRC is allowing a period of adjustment and will not issue late filing penalties for CGT returns received late up to and including 31 July 2020 i.e. only transactions completed from 1 July 2020 and not filed within 30 days will they start issuing penalties for late filing. Please see the link for further information about reporting CGT. https://www.tax.org.uk/policy-technical/technical-news/hmrc-produces-cgt-30-days-fact-sheet |
From 6th April 2020, UK tax residents who sell/transfer UK residential property will be required to report and pay any Capital Gains Tax (CGT) due within 30 days of the date of completion.
Under the current rules, you would report your capital gains on your tax return and pay any tax through the self-assessment system.
For example, if you sold a residential property on 6th April 2019 you have until 31 January 2021 at the latest to declare the Capital Gains and pay the tax. The new rule closes the original 21 month window reporting and payment window.
Included is a sale to a third party at market value; a transfer to a relative; or even a sale or transfer of part of the property.
In broad terms, a gain is calculated by taking your sale proceeds, and deducting:
The purchase price
Costs of selling the property (estate agent's fees and solicitors' fees., etc)
Costs of buying the property (including Stamp Duty and solicitors' fees., etc )
Enhancement costs (costs of building extensions etc)
The gain is further reduced if the property owner qualifies for Principle Private Residence Relief (PPRR), and Lettings Relief (subject to recent change with additional conditions to meet). If the property is jointly owned, each individual’s capital gain will be base on their individual circumstances.
The capital gain calculated is reduced by the annual CGT exemption of £12,300 (2020-21 rate) which is available to each individual.
If you sell the property at under market value or have gifted the property, the true market value is deemed proceeds to be used in the calculation.
The rate of CGT payable is up to 28% depending on other taxable income.
Tax payers will have to register for HMRC’s digital service designed to report CGT on UK residential property. You must do this even if you use a tax adviser to report the gain on your behalf.
Reporting your CGT within 30 days will, in some circumstances be a best estimate of your CGT liability based on your circumstances at the time. HMRC have a system in place to allow adjustments so that the correct tax is paid.
If you are already reporting through self assessment, you will need to report the gain again, along with other gains and income before the usual deadlines, showing the tax already paid. The self assessment effectively irons out any over or underpayment made due to changes in your circumstances in the tax year.
If you are not within the self assessment tax regime, you have upto 1 year after the initial submission date to submit an amended CGT Return through the digital service. HMRC will treat any declaration you make as final on the first anniversary of the initial submission.
When does the 30 day rule not apply?
The 30 day rule will not apply in the following cases:
We suggest you seek advice for your tax adviser on points 1-3 above.
If you miss the reporting deadline, the penalties will be as follows:
One day late £100
Six months late an additional £300 or 5% of the tax due (whichever is greater)
12 months late an additional £300 or 5% of the tax due (whichever is greater)
In addition a late payment of tax will attract interest and penalties based on the tax liability due.
The late payment penalties are:
5% of the tax unpaid if 30 days late
A further 5% if six months late, and
a further 5% if 12 months late.
It is recommended that you contact your tax adviser as soon as you have decided to sell/transfer the property, as the 30 day deadline is very short and as you are likely to know most of the amounts required for the CGT calculation, including a fair idea of the proceeds you may receive. This will help ensure that the deadline is not missed.
If you need assistance with the calculation and reporting of the sale or transfer of a UK residential property or any related matter please contact us