How to Save Property Tax 2024/25

By Carl Bayley BSc FCA

How to Save Property Tax is widely regarded as the tax bible for property investors. Written in plain English with numerous easy to follow examples, this guide tells you absolutely everything you need to know about paying less income tax, capital gains tax and stamp duty land tax on your property investments.

We launched How to Save Property Tax in 2002 and have been updating and expanding it ever since.

The latest edition was published in November 2024 and is completely up to date with all the major tax changes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the October 2024 Budget.

The guide is essential reading for:

• ALL property investors and landlords
• Second home owners
• Those renovating or developing property
• ALL letting agents, accountants, solicitors and professional advisors

For those selling property the guide tells you absolutely everything you need to know about capital gains tax, including numerous tried and tested tax planning techniques.

For landlords renting out property the guide covers all the expenses you can claim against your rental income.

What Information is Contained in the Guide?

Subjects covered include:

Paying Less Income Tax

• Tax changes announced in the March 2024 Budget and the October 2024 Budget.
• ALL the expenses landlords can claim against their rental income.
• A detailed look at the tax relief restriction for interest costs (the wretched Section 24).
• Everything you need to know about Making Tax Digital (commencing April 2026).
• Motoring expenses, including recent changes to electric cars and double cab pick-ups.
• Expanded guidance on the pros and cons of using the cash basis, and the tax planning still possible.
• A new section on the scrapping of the furnished holiday lettings tax regime in April 2025.
• How unmarried joint owners (couples, siblings, parents and children) can save thousands in tax.
• How to claim repairs spending that a layperson would think are improvements.
• How to maximise your claims for replacement furniture, fittings, equipment, etc.
• How to get more tax relief for bad debts.
• All the administrative expenditure you can claim.
• How to claim a big home office tax deduction.
• How to deduct the cost of seminars, courses and books (like this one!)
• How to get the taxman to pay towards your travel costs including flights, hotels and restaurants.
• Tax planning for those involved in property development.
• How to amend previous tax returns if you’ve forgotten to claim expenses.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

• A plain English guide to how capital gains tax is calculated.
• All of the capital gains tax changes announced in the October 2024 Budget.
• Guidance on when property capital gains might be subject to income tax instead of CGT.
• Updated information on the benefits of transferring property to a spouse or buying in joint names.
• How to use your children to save thousands in capital gains tax.
• Everything you need to know about principal private residence relief.
• How to use the temporary periods of absence rules to make massive savings.
• How to use main residence elections to reduce or even eliminate the CGT on second homes.
• A new section on part disposals, including how one taxpayer saves over £20,000!
• How to use a trust to get extra tax-free capital growth on residential property.
• Paying capital gains tax: new 60-day reporting system explained.

Stamp Duty Land Tax, VAT & Other Taxes

• A plain English guide to all the stamp duty issues facing property investors.
• The increase to 5% in the SDLT surcharge on rental properties and second homes.
• The deadline for enjoying the stamp duty cuts introduced in September 2022.
• When using the non-residential rates will produce an overall saving.
• How to transfer property into a partnership to save SDLT on transfers to your spouse/relatives.
• Taxes in Scotland and Wales.
• How landlords can secure state pension entitlement without paying significant national insurance.
• VAT planning for commercial property, conversions, renovations and listed buildings.

All in all, this guide tells you pretty much everything you need to know about tax if you are a landlord, second home owner, or own any other type of property business.

Click here to read the full contents listing and first section of the book