Government planning CGT tax grab on buy-to-let property investors, experts warn

The UK Treasury has launched a “review” of the capital gains tax system to "ensure the system is fit for purpose", the BBC reports.

Some experts are warning of "a tax grab" in the autumn to pay towards the multi-billion-pound cost of Coronavirus measures, such as the furlough scheme.

The Chancellor, Rishi, Sunak asked the Office of Tax Simplification to investigate how capital gains are taxed for both individuals and smaller businesses.

"This review should identify opportunities relating to administrative and technical issues as well as areas where the present rules can distort behaviour or do not meet their policy intent," the chancellor said.

"I would be interested in any proposals from the OTS on the regime of allowances, exemptions, reliefs and the treatment of losses within CGT, and the interactions of how gains are taxed compared to other types of income." Source: BBC.

CGT is a tax on profits, which hits business owners, as well as millions of share and property investors.

Rishi Sunak specifically mentions reliefs and losses, which can currently be offset against profits and carried forward to future years. This could change and lead to higher tax bills for investors who risk their money and work hard to earn profits.

Capital gains are taxed at a lower level than income, so there's a risk that the chancellor will use the current crisis and deficit to justify a hike in CGT to income tax levels.

CGT rates are set at 10% for basic-rate taxpayers and 20% for higher and additional-rate taxpayers, or at 18% and 28% where gains relate to residential property.

CGT is basically a tax on the gain a property investor makes when they risk their money. This is in addition to the income tax they pay and any other taxes like stamp duty and land registry fees.

Previous Chancellors have a habit of grabbing money from the estimated two million buy-to-let property investors, many of whom have a small number of properties which they plan to use to supplement their pensions.

Buy-to-let investors have already lost a number of reliefs, for instance on mortgage interest and wear and tear allowance, and are paying higher taxes thanks to multi-millionaire ‘six jobs’ George Osborne’s raid on soft targets.

Business owners spend years building up their businesses, working long hours often for little or no pay, only to be taxed on the profits when they sell up or retire.

Is it still worth investing in buy-to-let property, as judge bans “No DSS” tenant policy?

A District Judge has ruled that blanket bans on renting properties to people on housing benefit are unlawful and discriminatory.

The court ruling found a single mother-of-two had experienced indirect discrimination when a letting agent refused to rent to her.

She ended up homeless with her two children, when her case was taken on by housing charity Shelter.

The judge ruled "No DSS" rental bans are against equality laws.

District Judge Victoria Mark heard this latest case in York County Court on 1 July, and ruled: "Rejecting tenancy applications because the applicant is in receipt of housing benefit was unlawfully discriminating on the grounds of sex and disability" and contrary to the Equality Act 2010, she said.

People deserve a home but that doesn’t mean everyone has a “right” to rent home in the private sector. Landlords must also be able to choose who they want to take on as a tenant. I have current experience with both private and benefit tenants with mixed results.

The LHA rates in some areas are simply not competitive or equivalent to the open market rate and dealing with benefit claims is a steep learning curve for landlords. Deposits and upfront rent can also be an issue.

The rates paid to landlords are also confusing and differ according to age. Is that not age discrimination?

The private sector should not have to pick up the pieces for the failures of successive governments to build enough social housing. There has been no major council house building programme since the 1970’s.

The last major town to be built with proper infrastructure and rail transport links was Milton Keynes which, along with other new towns, was planned in the 1960’s.

Councils can build more social housing and borrow at low rates, but many choose not to.

I'm not sure if a ruling by a District Judge in a County Court is binding in law. If it is binding, it will be a further example of ‘red tape’, costs and legislation for private landlords, many of whom feel like they are swimming against the tide in the buy-to-let market.

Investment in buy-to-let properties can still be profitable when done professionally. However, there are still many other opportunities to make money in property without the need for buy-to-let mortgages, large deposits or high rates of tax.

Other articles available at Money Tips Podcast - www.moneytipsdaily.com

1.     “No DSS” tenant blanket ban by buy-to-let landlords ruled ‘unlawful’ by Judge

2.     UK economy grew by 1.8% in May, 24.5% smaller than it was in ONS reports

3.     UK's mobile providers will be banned from buying new Huawei 5G equipment

4.     Singapore’s economy plunged by 41% in the last quarter the largest fall ever

5.     Nationwide now lending 90% for first time buyers reversing previous change

6.     Stamp Duty slashed until 31 March 2021 by raising the threshold to 500,000

7.     Chancellor Rishi Sunak keen to boost the property market and “build build build”

8.     New planning rules will open up more opportunities to make money in property

9.     Opportunity is everywhere for everyone, especially in property! But you have ACT!

10. Even the 'Secret law of attraction' requires you to get off your ass and TAKE ACTION!

11. Homeowners will get vouchers of up to ￡5,000 for energy-saving improvements

12. The poorest will receive up to ￡10,000 in ￡2 billion energy saving grant scheme

13. Will your job be one of millions phased out by automation, innovation and AI?

14. You don’t need your own money to create a second income in property

15. Time to your economy or Uconomy started whatever the economy is doing!

16. You can create a second income during the lockdown…and come out stronger

17. Learn how to make money from property without deposits, mortgages or cash

Millions of people face a bleak future post-Coronavirus lockdown, as businesses disappear and the job furlough scheme eventually comes to an end. However, life doesn’t have to end because of lockdown! You can join thousands of ordinary people who have increased their income and added streams of new income during this period.

Are you ready to adapt to the new economic model?

As lockdown restrictions around the world are being eased, the economic model has subtly changed forever. How will you adapt to this new way of working and running a business, what obstacles and opportunities lies ahead? Will you be a participant or spectator in this revolution?

By Charles Kelly, Property Investor, Author of Yes, Money Can Buy You Happiness and creator of Money Tips Podcast.

There are more examples and practical steps to getting rich and being happy in my book, Yes, money can buy happiness, I cover the 3 R’s of Money Management, the Money B.E.L.I.E.F System and much more. Check it out on Amazon https://bit.ly/2MoneyBook.

If you’d like further information on how to survive the crisis and even quit the rat race, email me at [email protected] or send me a message through Facebook or my Money Tips Daily community. See more articles at www.moneytipsdaily.com

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