This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more about cookies on this website and how to delete cookies, see our privacy notice.
Analytics

Tools which collect anonymous data to enable us to see how visitors use our site and how it performs. We use this to improve our products, services and user experience.

Marketing

A bit of data which remembers the affiliate who forwarded a user to our site and recognises orders from those who become customers through that affiliate.

Essential

Tools that enable essential services and functionality, including identity verification, service continuity and site security.

Enrol now on the free landlord tax strategies course


To enrol in the 7 tax saving strategies email course complete the form below. The first module will be emailed to you immediately.

Enrol now on the free landlord tax strategies course

Thank You!

Free Tax Saving Strategies Course
The seven FREE property tax busting strategies course reveals the secrets of how to legitimately beat the taxman and boost your property profits!
View All Questions

What is the CGT position for each or any of us?

Question We gifted our children, Harry & Suzie, the money to buy a jointly owned flat in 2010. Suzie is getting married next year and wants to realise her equity so she can buy a property with her fiancé. Harry isn't ready to buy a property himself yet as his income is insufficient to get the mortgage he would need, on top of his equity in the flat. We also want to give them more money, as part of our inheritance tax planning, but we are asset rich and relatively cash poor so cash is not really an option. If Harry & Suzie sell the jointly owned flat, it should net them around £500,000. Suppose that Harry loans his share (£250,000) to Suzie. She then has £500,000 towards her new property. Harry lives in the other flat, which we own until such time that he is ready to buy his own place. We then sell the flat, which should realise around £650,000, pay the capital gains tax from the proceeds and gift the balance of £500,000 to Harry & Suzie between them. Suzie then repays the £250,000 that she owes Harry, who would then have £500,000 towards his own property. I understand that we would have to live seven years from the date of the second gift for it to be completely free of inheritance tax, but, as far as I am aware, this would not trigger any tax other than the capital gains on the second flat, which we would then be in a position to pay from the proceeds of the sale. Is that correct?

Arthur Weller replies:
Yes, it is correct. If it is possible to divert some of the £500,000 from the sale of the first flat (i.e. if Suzie could manage with less than £500,000), then it may be worth gifting the second flat to Harry now, and using the diverted funds to pay the CGT on this gift. Then any increase in value of the second flat would be covered by Harry's principal private residence relief, since he would live in it as his main residence.

Property Tax Insider This sample question and answer is taken from Property Tax Insider, a monthly UK tax saving magazine for landlords and property investors.

The first issue is free so click here to try today!

Got a burning tax question?

Why not submit a tax question to our tax advisors

Ask a Question