Doing up a property as a buy to let can be expensive. But in some situations you can lower the cost by using tax breaks that reduce the VAT. What are these and how can you take advantage?
Published 11.04.2014
Until recently, property development was seen as a good investment. But now many developers have houses they can’t sell and have resorted to renting them out. But this can lead to a VAT trap. What is
it, and how can it be avoided?
Published 04.12.2008
Although the law on taxing new builds was set in tablets of stone back in 1992, the VATman still tries to “cheat” taxpayers on occasions. If he tries to take the shine off your speculative venture
what should you do?
Published 05.05.2005
As a landlord, making an option to tax a property can reduce your costs by allowing you to reclaim VAT on your expenses. But an option can work against you, e.g. by limiting the market when you sell.
In what circumstances can you revoke an option?
Published 12.06.2023
When you bought your current premises you reclaimed the VAT included in the purchase price. Now you’re moving to bigger premises and selling the old property how should you handle the VAT?
Published 13.06.2019
One of our subscribers was converting an old office building into flats and asked us whether there were any top tax tips we could give her. She had done her research and was pretty clued up, but she
nearly missed out on a big VAT saving.
Published 22.06.2010
Our subscriber owns an unoccupied commercial property. She plans to convert it into two flats on the upper floors and a retail unit on the ground floor, which she’ll let. How much of the VAT paid on
the conversion costs can she reclaim?
Published 26.05.2023
You’re buying a residential property with the intention to let it. To keep costs down you’ve gone for a property that’s cheap because it’s in need of a fair amount of work. How can a VAT break help
to reduce the cost?
Published 16.05.2017
Your business is moving and you’re thinking of buying the new premises in your personal name, but there’s a possible drawback. Might personal ownership prevent recovery of VAT on costs relating to
maintenance and improvement of the property?
Published 06.02.2024
It’s time to move premises and you’ve found a buyer for your old one. But your accountant says if you sell to them you’ll have to repay some of the VAT you reclaimed when you bought the property.
Why? And can you get around this trap?
Published 29.11.2012