Running a buy-to-let portfolio is a business, and it deserves the same financial attention as any other business. The difference is that property has its own set of tax rules — Section 24 mortgage interest restrictions, CGT reporting within 60 days, MTD quarterly submissions, SDLT surcharges on additional purchases — and a general accountant who handles a few landlords on the side is unlikely to know them all.
The single biggest challenge facing personal buy-to-let landlords today is Section 24. Since 2020, mortgage interest can no longer be deducted from rental income before tax. Instead, you get a 20% tax credit. For basic rate taxpayers, the effect is neutral. For higher and additional rate taxpayers, it increases the effective tax rate on rental profits substantially — and in some cases pushes landlords into a higher bracket purely because of how the calculation works. If you haven’t had someone model the actual impact on your portfolio, you should.
Beyond the headline tax issues, we review the full operational position: whether every legitimate expense is being claimed, whether the timing and structure of acquisitions and disposals have been considered, and whether the current ownership structure remains appropriate given changes to mortgage interest relief, CGT rates, and corporation tax thresholds.
We calculate the exact impact of the mortgage interest restriction on your effective tax rate and show you whether restructuring would save you money. Clear numbers, not theory.
Letting agent fees, insurance, ground rents, service charges, repairs, travel, accountancy fees — we identify every deductible expense, including ones you might not know about.
Should your next property go in a company? Should existing properties be transferred? We model the options and give you a recommendation that accounts for all the taxes involved.
Clear rental accounts for every property, accurate Self-Assessment filing, and ongoing tax advice — all for a fixed, transparent fee.
Planning to expand? We advise on the most tax-efficient structure for new acquisitions so you get it right from the outset, not retrospectively.
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your personal tax compliance.
