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Why extracting money from your property company may not be necessary

First Published: April 2013 | Available in: Property Articles Your Property Network

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Some property investors and entrepreneurs who operate via a limited company seem to be overly-concerned with how to immediately extract profits from their company. This article looks at how company owners can get maximum benefit from their company profits – whether extracted or retained. Continue Reading »

Why investing in commercial property in 2013 could save you £103,226 in tax

First Published: February 2013 | Available in: Property Articles Your Property Network

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Most residential property investors shy away from investing in commercial property, despite there being strong tax benefits in doing so. From 1st January 2013, investors can claim up to £250,000 of allowances against their income tax bill – how much would your property plans be accelerated if you didn’t pay any income tax on £250,000 of income in 2013? This article looks at how commercial property can help you to save serious amounts of income tax – as well as being a sound investment. Continue Reading »

Audit your mortgage accounts and potentially claim a refund from your lender

First Published: January 2013 | Available in: Property Articles Your Property Network

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Mortgage lenders generally use automated systems to manage the vast numbers of accounts that they manage. While the systems themselves can generally be relied upon – there are some exceptions! The old saying that ‘garbage in, garbage out’ applies, as a human being still needs to set up the account and deal with certain items.

This article explains how to ‘audit’ your own mortgage statements and how to claim a refund from your lender if monies are owed to you.  Continue Reading »

Should I transfer my properties into a company?

First Published: December 2012 | Available in: Property Articles Your Property Network

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Most landlords start their portfolio in their own personal name, perhaps along with a spouse or business partner. In time, as a typical portfolio moves from initial losses to substantial profits – and tax bills! – many landlords look at using a company to mitigate income tax, as companies pay tax at 20% up to £300k of profits. This article looks at whether it makes tax sense to transfer property into a company to save tax.

Continue Reading »

A 5 Minute Guide to Trusts

First Published: November 2012 | Available in: Property Articles Your Property Network

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Using a trust is not something that only ‘the rich’ should be interested in. Trusts have been used for centuries to pass on wealth from one generation to the next, and to enable people to control how their money is used by others both while they are alive and after death.

Although the use of trusts is a complex area – specialist advice should always be sought – this article gives a summary of what trusts are, how they work, and what they are used for.

Continue Reading »

Should I repay my mortgages?

First Published: October 2012 | Available in: Property Articles Your Property Network

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

This is probably the most-frequently question asked by property investors. Property is a business with big numbers – and most investors’ biggest expense is mortgage interest. Having less mortgage debt means less risk, but how many investors can really make a significant dent in their borrowings? And if they can, should they?

This article considers the pro’s and con’s of repaying mortgages, risk and tax considerations, and how to arrive at a conclusion that is right for YOU. Continue Reading »

How to claim your Home Office costs against your tax bill

First Published: March 2012 | Available in: Property Articles Your Property Network

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

Most landlords and small property developers run their property business from home, and not from commercial premises. As a ‘property rental business’ (the HMRC term for a BTL portfolio) is just that – a ‘business’ – some of the costs of running your home can be claimed as a tax deduction to reduce your income tax bill.

This article provides a definitive guide as to what costs can be claimed – and a handy ‘Home Office Calculator’ on our website allows you to produce a fully-supported claim to include in your year-end accounts.  Continue Reading »

Using a Company to Shield Rental Profits

First Published: February 2012 | Available in: Property Articles Property Investor News Your Property Network

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

The Bank of England base rate has now been at 0.5% for around three years, and many property investors are reaching the end of any rental losses they may have built up. This often means that profits are taxed at 40% as rental profits are added to any other income.

So, it’s vital that investors look at options to avoid this exposure – and appreciate that using a company can help to ‘shield’ profits from Higher Rate income tax.  Continue Reading »

Using Directors Loans

First Published: January 2012 | Available in: Property Articles Your Property Network

By specialist property accountant Stephen Fay ACA

In last month’s article, we covered how operating a company and having that company manage or lease your personallyheld properties, can enable rental profits to be legitimately diverted to the company. This can halve the rate of tax paid on rental profits.

The next question is – how can a Higher Rate taxpayer use the company’s funds without incurring significant additional tax charges? Continue Reading »