1. Due Diligence 1 Flashcards
What are the two most common types of mortgages?
Repayment mortgages and interest-only mortgages.
How do repayment mortgages work?
Borrower makes monthly payments to lender, which are partly instalments of loan and partly interest.
How do interest-only mortgages work?
Borrower makes monthly payments to lender, which are only interest chargeable on the loan.
What are the different interest options for mortgages?
Interest can be at the lender’s standard variable rate (SVR), fixed, or a ‘tracker’ rate of a percentage above UK base rate.
What happens at the end of the agreed period for fixed/tracker interest mortgages?
The interest reverts to the SVR.
What happens at the end of the mortgage term for repayment mortgages?
The borrower will have paid off their debt.
What happens at the end of the mortgage term for interest-only mortgages?
The borrower will still be in debt and will have to find an alternative source of finance to pay off the loan, e.g. savings.
What are some other types of mortgages for those who cannot enter into agreements that charge interest?
Sharia compliant mortgages, where the bank buys the property and resells it to the buyer at a higher price, with the buyer repaying the excess to the bank by instalments over a period of years.
What is Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and who has to pay it?
SDLT is a tax paid by the buyer of a property in England, depending on the value of the property and if they are a first-time buyer or not.
What is Land Transaction Tax (LTT) and who has to pay it?
LTT is a tax paid by the buyer of a property in Wales, depending on the value of the property and if they are a first-time buyer or not.
What is Capital Gain Tax (CGT) and who has to pay it?
CGT is a tax paid by the seller if they make a capital gain on the sale of their property at a higher price than what they bought it for, unless this property was their only or main home/residence.
What tax does the landlord of a rented commercial property have to pay?
The landlord will have to pay Corporation Tax on the rent.
What is CT?
Capital gains tax payable on property sale.
What is SDLT?
Stamp Duty Land Tax paid on property purchase.
What is LTT?
Land Transaction Tax paid on property purchase in Wales.
How is SDLT paid for residential freehold property?
0% up to £425,000, 5% on portion from £425,001 to £625,000.
Who can claim relief on SDLT for residential property?
First-time buyers of property for £625,000 or less.
How is SDLT paid for non-first-time buyers?
Rates vary based on consideration amount.
What is the SDLT rate for consideration up to £250,000 for non-first-time buyers?
0%.
What is the SDLT rate for consideration exceeding £250,000 but not exceeding £925,000 for non-first-time buyers?
5%.
What is the SDLT rate for consideration exceeding £925,000 but not exceeding £1,500,000 for non-first-time buyers?
10%.
What is the SDLT rate for consideration exceeding £1,500,000 for non-first-time buyers?
12%.
How can SDLT be saved when chattels are involved in the sale?
Apportion part of the purchase price to the chattels.
if someone buys a furnished house, they might allocate part of the purchase price to cover the value of the furniture and appliances (the chattels), separate from the house itself.
What is the SDLT rate for non-residential or mixed-use freehold property?
Rates vary based on consideration amount.
What is the SDLT rate for consideration up to £150,000 for non-residential or mixed-use freehold property?
0%.
What is the SDLT rate for consideration exceeding £150,000 but not exceeding £250,000 for non-residential or mixed-use freehold property?
2%.
exceeding 250k is 5%
How is SDLT paid if VAT is charged?
Payable on the VAT-inclusive sum.
so regardless whether VAT is included or excluded of price SDLT is payable on full purchase price plus VAT
How is LTT paid for residential freehold property?
Rates vary based on consideration amount.
What is the LTT rate for consideration up to £225,000 for residential freehold property?
0%.
What is the LTT rate for consideration exceeding £225,000 but not exceeding £400,000 for residential freehold property?
6%.
What is the LTT rate for consideration exceeding £400,000 but not exceeding £750,000 for residential freehold property?
7.5%.
What is the LTT rate for consideration exceeding £750,000 but not exceeding £1,500,000 for residential freehold property?
10%.
What is the LTT rate for consideration exceeding £1,500,000 for residential freehold property?
12%.
What is the LLT rate for non-residential or mixed-use freehold property?
Rates vary based on consideration amount.
What is the LLT rate for consideration up to £225,000 for non-residential or mixed-use freehold property?
0%.
What is the LLT rate for consideration exceeding £225,000 but not exceeding £250,000 for non-residential or mixed-use freehold property?
1%.
What is the LLT rate for consideration exceeding £250,000 but not exceeding £1m for non-residential or mixed-use freehold property?
5%.
What is the LLT rate for consideration exceeding £1m for non-residential or mixed-use freehold property?
6%.
How is LLT paid if VAT is charged?
Payable on the VAT-inclusive sum.
Where is SDLT paid?
To HMRC.
How is SDLT paid?
Through SDLT1 Form.
When should SDLT be paid?
Within 14 days of completion.
What happens if SDLT is not paid within 14 days of completion?
Transfer will not be registered and penalties may apply.
What is LLT payment?
Payment made to the Welsh Revenue Authority.
When is LLT payment due?
Within 30 days of completion.
What is CGT?
Capital Gains Tax charged on gains made on ‘chargeable assets’.
What transactions are also subject to CGT?
Transactions incidental to the sale of land, such as modifications of an easement.
How are gifts treated for CGT purposes?
Gifts are considered as ‘disposals’ and subject to CGT.
How is the gain on sale calculated for CGT?
Gain on sale = purchase price - current sale price. If property was bought before 1982, purchase price is the base value in 1982.
Can expenditure on improving the property be deducted for CGT?
Yes, expenditure on improving the property can be deducted for CGT.
What is the rate at which CGT is charged?
The rate is set by the Government after annual exemption.
What is Private Residence Relief (PRR)?
Benefit that can be claimed by the seller of a residential property if it is their main residence and they have lived there continuously.
Can an individual with multiple residences choose which one qualifies for PRR?
Yes, if the individual has more than one residence, they can choose which one qualifies for PRR.
What is the exception to PRR for sellers with a large garden?
If the seller has a garden greater than 0.5 hectares, the gain on the excess is chargeable to CGT, unless they can demonstrate that the extra garden was necessary for the enjoyment of the house.
What happens if any part of the house is used for business purposes?
Relief will be lost for that part of the house.
Who else can claim PRR?
PRR is also available to trustees if the property is occupied by a beneficiary as their main residence.
Are there any allowed periods of absence for PRR?
Certain periods of absence are allowed, such as travel, but there are specific conditions.
What are the basis of charge for VAT?
Taxable supplies and it is an indirect tax.
Who charges and collects VAT?
Suppliers who are taxable persons and have a turnover exceeding the VAT registration limit.
How is VAT collected?
HMRC collects VAT from each supplier at the end of each VAT period through the completion of a VAT return online.
What is output tax?
VAT charged by supplier on goods and services produced.
How is output tax indicated on invoices?
Expressly stated when charging customers.
What is input tax?
VAT charged to customers of goods or services.
How is VAT due to HMRC calculated?
Output tax charged minus input tax paid.
What does a supplier do with the input tax paid?
Account it to HMRC and recover it.
Under what conditions is input tax recovered?
If it is attributable to a taxable output supply and has an immediate and direct link.
What are the standard, reduced, and zero-rated VAT rates?
Standard: 20%, Reduced: 5%, Zero-rated: 0%.
What is the VAT status of exempt supplies?
They are not VATable.
Are most residential transactions subject to VAT?
No, they do not involve the payment of VAT.
What is considered a new commercial property?
One within three years from completion of the building.
Are supplies of interests in commercial land or buildings exempt?
Yes, they are generally exempt.
What supplies are taxable or can be made taxable by exercising the ‘option to tax’?
Sale of greenfield site, supply of construction services, professional services, sale of new freehold building, grant of a lease.
Why would a client make an option to tax?
To enable recovery of input tax incurred.
What is the effect of exercising the option to tax for a seller of a new building?
They must charge the buyer VAT.
What is the effect of exercising the option to tax for a seller of an old building?
They have the choice to charge VAT.
Why would a seller of an old building exercise the option to tax?
To recover input tax incurred in relation to the building.
What is an EPC?
Energy Performance Certificate provided to buyer.
Who produces an EPC?
Accredited energy assessor.
When should the seller provide an EPC to the buyer?
Within 7 days of first marketing, within 28 days.
Why is it important to establish consensus between parties?
To avoid delay, frustration, and additional costs.
What are the two most common types of mortgages?
Repayment mortgages and interest-only mortgages.
How do repayment mortgages work?
Borrower makes monthly payments towards loan and interest.
How do interest-only mortgages work?
Borrower makes monthly payments for interest only.
What are the options for interest rates on mortgages?
Lender’s SVR, fixed rate, or tracker rate.
What happens at the end of a fixed/tracker rate mortgage?
Interest reverts to the SVR.
What happens at the end of a repayment mortgage?
Borrower has paid off their debt.
What happens at the end of an interest-only mortgage?
Borrower still owes the loan and needs alternative finance.
Are there other types of mortgages for those who cannot pay interest?
Yes, e.g. Sharia compliant mortgages.
What is the buyer’s responsibility in terms of taxation when purchasing a residential property?
Buyer may have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in England or Land Transaction Tax (LTT) in Wales.
What is the seller’s responsibility in terms of taxation when selling a residential property?
Seller may have to pay Capital Gain Tax (CGT) on any gain made from the sale, unless the property was their only or main home/residence.
What tax is payable on the rent of a commercial property?
Corporation Tax (CT) is payable on the rent of a commercial property.
What tax is payable if a commercial property is sold at a higher price?
Corporation Tax (CT) is payable on any gain made from the sale of a commercial property.
What is the relief available for first-time buyers of residential property in terms of SDLT?
First-time buyers of residential property for £625,000 or less can claim relief.
What is the SDLT rate for first-time buyers on the portion of the property price from £425,001 to £625,000?
5% SDLT.
What is the SDLT rate for non first-time buyers on the portion of the property price that does not exceed £250,000?
0% SDLT.
What is the SDLT rate for non first-time buyers on the portion of the property price that exceeds £250,000 but does not exceed £925,000?
5% SDLT.
What is the SDLT rate for non first-time buyers on the portion of the property price that exceeds £925,000 but does not exceed £1,500,000?
10% SDLT.
What is the SDLT rate for non first-time buyers on the remainder of the property price?
12% SDLT.
What can be done to save on SDLT when the sale involves valuable chattels?
Apportioning part of the purchase price to the chattels may save on SDLT.
What is the SDLT rate for non-residential or mixed use freehold property that does not exceed £150,000?
0% SDLT.
What is the SDLT rate for non-residential or mixed use freehold property that exceeds £150,000 but does not exceed £250,000?
2% SDLT.
upwards of 250 ]k is 5%
What is SDLT?
Stamp Duty Land Tax - a tax on property transactions.
How is SDLT paid?
Paid to HMRC through SDLT1 Form.
When should SDLT be paid?
Within 14 days of completion.
What happens if SDLT is not paid within 14 days?
Transfer will not be registered and penalties may apply.
What are the rates for LTT on residential freehold property?
0% for up to £225,000, 6% for £225,000 to £400,000, 7.5% for £400,000 to £750,000, 10% for £750,000 to £1,500,000, and 12% for the remainder.
What are the rates for LLT on non-residential or mixed-use freehold property?
0% for up to £225,000, 1% for £225,000 to £250,000, 5% for £250,000 to £1m, and 6% for amounts exceeding £1m.
What happens if VAT is charged in LLT?
LLT is payable on the VAT-inclusive sum.
Where is LLT paid?
Paid to the Welsh Revenue Authority.
When should LLT be paid?
Within 30 days of completion.
What is CGT?
Capital Gains Tax - a tax on gains made on chargeable assets.
What transactions are subject to CGT?
Transactions incidental to the sale of land, such as modifications of an easement.
How is the gain on sale calculated for CGT?
Purchase price minus current sale price. If property was bought before 1982, the purchase price is the base value in 1982.
Can expenditure on improving the property be deducted from CGT?
Yes.
What is the rate at which CGT is charged?
Rate set by the Government after annual exemption.
What is Private Residence Relief (PRR)?
A benefit that can be claimed by the seller of a residential property if it is their main residence and they have lived there continuously.
applies to CGT
Can an individual with multiple residences choose which one qualifies for PRR?
Yes.
Are gifts considered as disposals for CGT purposes?
Yes.
What are the exceptions to PRR?
Not specified in the notes.
THBGS TO ASK FOR PRR: riya lived in her house continuously from 2009
* She owned and/or lived in more than one house during this time
* The garden is more than 0.5 hectares
* She used any part of the house for a business use
What is chargeable to CGT for sellers with a garden greater than 0.5 hectares?
Excess garden unless necessary for house enjoyment.
What happens if any part of the house is used for business purposes?
Relief will be lost for that part.
Who is eligible for PRR?
Beneficiary occupying property as main residence.
Are there allowed periods of absence for PRR?
Yes, with specific conditions.
What are the conditions for VAT registration?
Turnover exceeding £85,000 in the past 12 months.