Tax Changes for Buy to Let Investments Explained

Despite the recent changes to stamp duty and mortgage tax relief, making some investors question the reliability of Buy to Let Investments as an asset, they will always remain a staple when it comes to investments in the UK.

Thankfully, the changes put in place will not affect seafarers in the same way, and here's why:

Changes to the way finance costs can be offset against rental income will mean, over the next 5 years, landlords will gradually see changes lowering their income tax bill.  By 2020, no finance costs will be deductible against rental income, instead a basic rate reduction of 20% will be applied to their finance costs, to lower their income tax bill.

Seafarer landlords will benefit immensely from this as their income is not taken into account meaning they can earn up to £45,000 in rental income before the changes will affect them! Over this amount, however, will fall into a higher tax rate bracket of double the amount at 40% seeing an increase in the tax bill, instead of being able to offset 40% of your finance costs, you can only offset 20%.

Example:

                                                          Before Changes                    After Changes

Seafarer Income                                     £50,000.00                              £50,000.00

Minus Allowable Expenses                      -£50,000.00                             -£50,000.00

Taxable Income                                          £0.00                                       £0.00

Rental Income                                        £30,000.00                              £30,000.00

Less: Mortgage Interest                         -£10,000.00                                       -

Taxable Income                                      £20,000.00                              £30,000.00

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Tax Calculation:

                                                          Before Changes                      After Changes

£11,500 @ 0PC                                              -                                              -

£8,500 @ 20PC                                      £1,700.00                                 £3,700.00

Tax Liability                                           £1,700.00                                 £3,700.00

Less Relief on Mortgage                         -£2,000.00                                         -
Interest (£10,000 @ 20%)                                                           

Tax Liability                                                   -                                       £1,700.00

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With the low Bank of England base rate and the pound being so weak at the moment, Buy to Let investments are increasingly becoming exciting propositions! If you would like to discuss any of this further with a member of our team, please contact us for advice.