One of the biggest decisions a landlord can make - especially since Section 24 came in - is whether to hold rental property personally or through a limited company. Limited companies pay corporation tax on profits and can still deduct mortgage interest in full as a business expense, which for many higher-rate taxpayers can mean a significantly lower overall tax bill.
But incorporating isn't free, and it isn't right for everyone. Moving existing properties into a company triggers a sale for tax purposes - meaning Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax (at the additional-property surcharge rate) can both apply, on top of legal and accountancy costs to set everything up properly. Mortgage availability and rates also differ for limited company borrowing, and there's ongoing administrative work that comes with running a company.
This guide walks through the tax differences in detail, the costs of incorporating an existing portfolio versus starting a new one through a company from day one, and the non-tax factors - lender criteria, admin burden, exit planning - that often end up being just as important as the numbers.
The full guide will cover: