We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Advise on Capital Gains Tax if you don't live in the place you're selling?

Hi Guys

Can anyone shed light on the minefield that seems to to be CGT? I have a property which is near exchange & completion -I am selling it for the same price I bought it for in 2004. I lived in it until mid 2006, though it is not my main residence now, I currently rent a house with my husband in another part of the country. The property being sold has been empty since July 2009, and I have been paying the mortgage on it it as well as the rent on the place I live in - before that I did rent it out, but not out of choice, the market has been so bad it was rent it or lose it! - do I still have to pay CGT now that a sale is going through? I did not tell the lender I was renting it out, hoping it would only be short term and I could then sell it, so all paperwork show it being a residential buy as that is what it was when I bought it. I don't see that I am making any money, as I am selling it for what I bought it for, and especially as I have used all my savings (which would include any paltry amount made from rental income) paying the mortgage while the sale(s) have gone through - but am I being naive? Thx!

Comments

  • Sammy85_2
    Sammy85_2 Posts: 1,741 Forumite
    Capital Gains Tax - If you are selling for the same price as you paid for it then what have you gained that can be taxed?

    Any rental income should have been declared to the tax man during the tax year you earned it, the same as any income. If you havent declared it and the tax man finds out you could be in serious trouble for tax evasion.
    :jProud mummy to a beautiful baby girl born 22/12/11 :j
  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 50,971 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    As it has been your home, there are reliefs that would reduce the CGT liability, but the bottom line is no gain = no capital gains tax.
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • phlash
    phlash Posts: 883 Forumite
    500 Posts
    Sharon333 wrote: »
    Hi Guys

    Can anyone shed light on the minefield that seems to to be CGT? I have a property which is near exchange & completion -I am selling it for the same price I bought it for in 2004. I lived in it until mid 2006, though it is not my main residence now, I currently rent a house with my husband in another part of the country. The property being sold has been empty since July 2009, and I have been paying the mortgage on it it as well as the rent on the place I live in - before that I did rent it out, but not out of choice, the market has been so bad it was rent it or lose it! - do I still have to pay CGT now that a sale is going through? I did not tell the lender I was renting it out, hoping it would only be short term and I could then sell it, so all paperwork show it being a residential buy as that is what it was when I bought it. I don't see that I am making any money, as I am selling it for what I bought it for, and especially as I have used all my savings (which would include any paltry amount made from rental income) paying the mortgage while the sale(s) have gone through - but am I being naive? Thx!

    Makes me wonder if you told the tax man about your rental business if you didn't tell your lender? If you didn't, you may well have some tax to pay on your rental profits.
    I can take no responsibility for the use of any free comments given, any actions taken are the sole decision of the individual in question after consideration of my free comments.
    That also means I cannot share in any profits from any decisions made!;)
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.6K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.5K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.6K Life & Family
  • 262K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.