If you own a rental business, accessing tax advice for landlords is essential. Property and business tax bills can add up, but a specialist can help you understand your obligations to HMRC and make the most of any tax-planning opportunities that come your way.
In this article, we’ll explain how working with an expert can help you boost your profits and give you more control over your business.
5 reasons why you need specialist tax advice for landlords
1. Retain more of your rental income
Accessing tax advice for landlords can help you retain more of your rental income by taking advantage of tax breaks. For example, if you rent out a residential property, your accountant can claim property allowance on your behalf — a tax-free allowance worth up to £1,000 a year. (But bear in mind that claiming this allowance means you can’t deduct expenses.)
An expert can also claim replacement of domestic items relief on your behalf if you need to replace certain furnishings in your properties.
Depending on your circumstances, incorporating your business may be more tax-efficient. A specialist can find the most tax-efficient structure for your property business, guiding you through the process of setting up a limited company or even a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
2. Claim property expenses
Running a rental business can be expensive. You usually need to foot the bill for maintenance and repairs, letting agent fees and insurance costs.
Self-employed landlords can claim many of these running costs against their rental income — but it’s essential to understand what counts as an allowable expense.
The rules can be difficult to navigate, but a specialist tax adviser can help you maximise your expenses while staying compliant.
Your accountant can help you deduct costs that are wholly and exclusively for the purposes of renting out property — as well as calculate how much you can claim for items you use for both business and personal purposes.
3. Stay in control
A specialist tax adviser won’t just cut costs — they can also give you more control over your finances. On top of offering tax advisory services, your accountant can take on bookkeeping and accounting tasks for you.
This can save you valuable time and provide a more accurate picture of how your rental business is doing. Good record-keeping practices can also make it easier to maximise your business expenses and meet your obligations to HMRC.
4. Meet your obligations
Accountants for landlords are business and property tax experts. While the tax landscape is constantly changing, a specialist adviser can keep you updated about any new legislation that could affect your rental business and how to navigate it.
They can also advise and remind you of any payments throughout the year and calculate and file tax returns on your behalf. You won’t need to worry about missing a deadline or overpaying your taxes again.
5. Get help with buying and selling property
If you’re planning on buying or selling a rental property, expert advice is key. A tax adviser for landlords can help you avoid capital gains tax traps by timing sales correctly and making the most of your allowances.
Working with a specialist can also make it easier to navigate property taxes such as stamp duty land tax. Your adviser can calculate your tax liability on your behalf and deliver tax savings wherever possible.
Landlords looking to expand their property portfolio can expect guidance on finding the best buy-to-let mortgage deals to ensure they get a good return on their investment.
Work with seasoned professionals
As accountants for landlords, we want to help you make the most of your property business. We can offer expert tax advice for landlords to help you minimise your liabilities, whether you own multiple residential properties or you’re letting out a new holiday home.
Get in touch with our friendly team for more specialist tax advice for landlords.
