Module 4 Property income Flashcards
What is property income?
Income from renting out land and property or from the use of land in some way (ie, selling fishing permits to anglers is land income)
Overseas and UK property income should be separately recorded?
True - All UK property income can be treated as being from a single rental business and likewise for overseas property
When is property income calculated on the cash basis?
When the gross income does not exceed £150,000 for the fiscal year. (if rental is carried on for part of the year, the limit will be reduced accordingly)
Cash basis - income and allowable expense are recognised when money is received/paid
When is property income calculated on an accrual basis?
When the gross income exceed £150,000 for the fiscal year. (if rental is carried on for part of the year, the limit will be reduced accordingly)
Accural basis - income and allowable expense are recognised when money is receivable/payable (calculate to the nearest month)
When can an accrual basis for property income election be made?
Must be made on or before the first anniversay of 31 January following the fiscal year for which the election is made (For 2019/20, this will be 31 January 2022)
This needs to happen year on year otherwise cash basis is default
When can expenses be deducted from property income?
When they are incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the property business:
Advertising Cleaning Maintenance Insurance Council tax/water rates Letting agent fees Repairs of items (not improvements) Accounting costs Bad Debts (if all reasonable steps taken to recover) Mortgage Interest
What is the rule on mortgage interest tax relief for property income?
Individuals will receive a basic rate tax reduction (20% reducer) from their income tax liability at the lower of 20% of
The mortgage interest costs
OR the property business profits
2018/19 - 50% interest cost is tax reducer and 50% is deducted from property income
2019/20 - 25% interest cost is tax reducer and 50% is deducted from property income
2020/21 - basic rate tax reducer only
This applies to UK and overseas residential property income. Non residential is deductible in full.
In what situations are expenses deductable for property?
When it is tenanted and when it is empty (not occupied by owner)
If occupied by owner, then the expenses must be proportioned to only the expenses relating to the rental.
What are the rules for property income allowance?
If property income is less than £1,000 (before expense deduction) then no tax is paid.
This rule can be elected to not apply (loss making properties can gain benefits)
What are the two basis for property income allowance if income is greater than £1000?
Normal basis - deduct the actual expenses incurred from income received
The alternative basis - elect to deduct the allowance from the income received (beneficial if allowance greater than expenses)
What is capital expenditure relating to property?
Money spent on acquiring or maintaining fixed assets such as property, plant and equipment
Cost of replacing free standing white goods such as washing machines, fridges or cookers will also be treated as capital expenditure
What is revenue expenditure relating to property?
Money spent on general running costs or consumables such as repairs, insurance, heat and light.
Can capital expenditure be deducted from property income?
Generally no, no deductions can be made when calculating property income.
Exceptions:
Residential property is done through replacement domestic items relief instead
Can repairs/replacing fixtures be deducted?
Yes
Cash basis - cost of furniture and fixtures in commercial property can be deducted - True or False?
True
Cash basis - Residential property can claim capital expenditure tax relief - True or false?
False - they will need to claim from the replacement of domestic items relief.
What is capital allowances? (only for commerical property, and Furnished holiday lets not for residential accommodation)
Capital allowances are a form of tax deduction for capital expenditure against profits and are calculated as a fixed percentage of the value of qualifying expenditure (6% to 100% depending on type of asset and timing of expenditure) - Plant and machinery, vehicles, tools, ladders, computers, business furniture, lifts, central heating, air conditioning.
What is replacement of domestic items relief?
Available to residential landlords under either cash or accrual basis and a deducation on income calculated as:
The cost of replacing new item
MINUS the cost of any element of improvement compared to the old item (beyond nearest modern equivalent)
MINUS any proceeds of sale of the old item
PLUS any costs of disposing of the old item
What items does replacement of domestic items relief apply to?
Moveable furniture - beds/wardrobes
Furnishings such as carpets, curtains and linen
Household appliances such as fridges, freezers and televisions
Kitchenware such as cutlery and crockery
Replacement of domestic items relief does not need to be apportioned for landlord occupation periods - True or False?
False - the cost need to be apportioned to take account of private use
What are the advantages that applies to furnished holiday letting?
Profits from FHL are treated as earned income and qualify as UK earnings for pension purposes
Plant and machinery capital allowances are available on the furnishing and fixtures used within the property (instead of replacement of domestic items relief)
A number of capital gains tax relief are available when bought or sold
Profit/Loss from UK or EU FHL must be kept separate and losses from one can only be set off against profits from the same business.
What conditions need to be met for a property to be FHL?
Property must be furnished and let on a commercial basis with a view to profit:
Availability condition: Accommodation must be available for commercial letting as holiday accommodation to the public for at least 210 days
Letting condition: the property must be commercially let as holiday accommodation for at least 105 days in the relevant period (multiple FHL can be averaged to reach this UK/EEA are separate)
Pattern of occupation condition: During the relevant period, no more than 155 days fall during periods of longer term occupation (continuous period of more than 31 days by the same occupier)
What is the relevant period for a FHL?
Generally the tax year unless letting commenced during the year or has ceased during the year. In these cases, the relevant period is either the first or last 12 months of renting respectively.
What is the rent a room scheme?
This applies when an individual lets out furnished accommodation in their own home, this can include the provison of meals, cleaning or laundry.
£7,500 of income can be tax free (limit is per house not per individual)
