A fresh look at property

Mention devolution and thoughts inevitably turn to Scotland and the question of a possible referendum. Against this background and almost slipping under the radar, Wales is quietly increasing its own devolved powers. For example, from 31 December 2011, Wales took full responsibility for its own building regulations. One of the first steps announced by the…

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2011, a taxing time

As we say goodbye to 2011 and start digesting the many hundreds of pages which make up the draft legislation for the 2012 finance bill; it is perhaps worth taking stock of the year just past and reflecting on what this might mean for the future of taxation. For many, 2011 was the year of…

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The Tax Gap

There is a famous saying about lies and statistics which is often quoted when anyone doesn’t want to believe the statistics they are being presented with. Indeed, it is true that how you present statistics is as important as the statistics themselves. A recent science experiment on the television presented participants with two plates of…

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What price larger homes

The head of communications at the Home Builders Federation (HBF) has recently admitted that at the moment the trend for building new homes has moved towards larger properties. Commentating on the current state of the house build market Steve Turner went on to say that “Builders will obviously build what they can sell. People that…

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Hope for UK Commercial Property

The CB Richard Ellis monthly index of commercial property returns continues to bring hope of recovery within the sector. Overall the sector posted growth of 0.7% in May, capitalising on the 0.6% growth seen in April. Across the UK the picture is mixed. Within the capital returns for office accommodation rose by 1% against a…

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Stamp Duty Land Tax case won by taxpayer

The first Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) case taken to the Tax Tribunal by HMRC has been won by the taxpayer. This victory is a vindication of the interpretation commonly applied to one aspect of SDLT regulations by experts although an appeal by HMRC is expected. SDLT applies when property above a certain value is…

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Group Relief for Stamp Duty Land Tax: Limited Liability Partnerships

Group Relief for Stamp Duty Land Tax: Limited Liability Partnerships Stamp Duty Land Tax – A change in HMRC’s view of the law Background Where UK real estate is transferred between members of the same group, and provided certain conditions are met, the tax legislation provides a relief from stamp duty land tax (SDLT). Companies…

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