What are the stamp duty and tax implications of buying an estate agency business?
Asset purchases may attract SDLT on property and capital allowances on equipment. Share purchases attract 0.5% Stamp Duty. CGT applies to the seller on goodwill and assets.
Do estate agents need to register for anti-money laundering supervision?
Yes — estate agents must register with HMRC for AML supervision, conduct customer due diligence checks, and report suspicious activity to the NCA.
How is commission income taxed for estate agents?
Commission is trading income subject to Corporation Tax or Income Tax. VAT at 20% applies if registered. Self-employed agents must register for Self Assessment.
Should I hold my investment property in a Limited Company or personal name?
If you’re a higher‑rate taxpayer or planning to build a portfolio, a limited company is usually more tax‑efficient. If you’re a basic‑rate taxpayer with one or two properties, personal ownership is often simpler and cheaper.
This conclusion is strongly supported by current UK tax rules for 2026, especially Section 24 and corporation tax rates.
What are the latest Capital Gains Tax (CGT) changes for UK landlords in 2026?
The key Capital Gains Tax (CGT) changes affecting UK landlords in 2026 are: a much lower annual allowance, continued higher CGT rates on residential property (18% and 24%), and confirmation that these rules remain in force from 6 April 2026. These changes mean most landlords will pay more CGT when selling rental property.
BLE Property Management
The team at Durrani & Co continued to give us the usual support and ensure we were compliant with HMRC and our regulating bodies.
Mortgage Applications
Discuss your plans to apply for a mortgage with us before your accounts and tax return are submitted, as this may affect how certain items are treated.
Management Accounts
With nearly five decades of experience across several industries, we can analyse your business finances as specialists in this field of accounting.
Bookkeeping
Accounting and bookkeeping are important, but they don’t have to be a hassle.
Property
Accountants in our firm are highly experienced in all aspects of landlord accounting, such as landlord bookkeeping, filing annual property accounts, and filing landlord tax returns.
VAT
Taxes like value added tax (VAT) are complex and demanding on businesses – so complicated most businesses accidentally overpay or underpay VAT. Simply put, it’s a bit of a hassle.
Directors Tax Returns
New clients are often surprised at how much can be done to help with their tax position. We are always willing to go that extra mile to offer advice on the areas where tax can be saved.
