Are any of these deductible for CGT purposes?

p3gg

Please could those of you who are knowledgeable about tax have a look at this one for me?..

Having just sold an ex-rental property which was never my or my wife's PPR, I'm trying to figure out as accurately as I can what the CGT bill will be, and of course to get it down to as little as possible. After taper relief and the annual individual capital gains allowance of £8,500 each I know there are obvious things that can be deducted before working out the taxable amount, i.e. improvements, estate agents fees, legal fees. However what about the following?

1. Legal costs from when the property was acquired?

2. When the property was about to go on the market, costs I incurred travelling up to meet with estate agents and have the place valued? (Are these deductible as "costs associated with the sale"?)

3. Gas and electricity bills over the few months when the property was empty and on the market for sale? (My argument here would be that the property was heated and lit during this period SOLELY to facilitate viewings, i.e. costs associated with the sale again.)

4. Removal costs (man & van) for house contents which were not offered for sale (some went to the tip, the rest to the charity shop)?

5. Removal costs (man & van again) for white goods which were left in the house during marketing, offered to the buyer at less than their true value, but in the end as the buyer didn't want them had to be taken out and tucked away so I can sell them when I get chance?

6. The cost of some electrical works that I was obliged to have done a few years ago in order to get the ten year landlord's certificate. If I had already deducted this (I would argue legitimately) against rental income because it was a cost incurred solely for the purposes of letting (I was legally obliged to do it if I was to carry on letting the house), does that mean I couldn't now ALSO set it against capital gains in that it was also an improvement, albeit incidentally? (Cheeky I know -- I doubt you'll be letting me have that one!)

7. Incidental costs associated with improvements... e.g. when we went up for a week to do some work on the house, we had to put our cat in the cattery as we don't live near... legitimate deduction or clutching at straws?

8. Incidental costs associated with marketing the property -- e.g. getting extra keys cut for the estate agents? (Not much, I know, but every little helps!)

Hope somebody has some thoughts on these... thanks in advance

gus

1. Yes all legal fees including stamp duty on purchase
2. no But any valuation costs of 3rd parties are deductible
3. no
4. no
5. no
6. no - how many times do you want a deduction?!?
7. no - the cattery relief is yet to be introduced
8. Yes Advertising costs are an allowable deduction

hope this helps

p3gg

Thanks Gus, your reply is appreciated.

All a bit stingy though, dammit...!

The one I don't quite follow is why you've given me a "no" on 3 if you're giving me a "yes" on 8.