Tax on Property Income

Income from letting UK residential or commercial property is subject to income tax, reported through property self-assessment. After deducting allowable expenses like letting agent fees, maintenance, insurance etc, the net rental profit is then taxable. For furnished properties, capital allowances can be claimed for fittings. The personal tax allowance can reduce income tax, but higher or additional rates may still apply on substantial rental income. Losses can sometimes be offset against other income. Income tax is paid in instalments based on self-assessment reporting deadlines.

Yes, income from occasional short-term lets of a UK property is still considered taxable rental income. Even if you only let a property for a few weeks a year but receive over £1000 total income, you must declare this on a self-assessment return under property income. Allowable expenses can be offset as usual. Where furnished holiday lettings are a pattern of business use rather than sporadic personal use, there are additional tax concessions available to apply. Even minimal property income below £1000 may need declaring for some taxpayers like the self-employed.

Rental income from overseas property also forms part of your assessable worldwide income for UK tax purposes. This applies whether you directly own an overseas property or hold shares in an offshore company that owns the property. Common examples include holiday homes in Spain, France, USA etc. The rental profit after standard deductions must be reported and any foreign tax paid can be credited against your UK liability, subject to limits. Keep thorough records as HMRC focuses closely on compliance for offshore income.

Inheriting an overseas rental property does not change the taxation position. Although the base cost is uplifted upon inheritance to probate value for capital gains purposes, the ongoing rental income is treated the same. You must declare this on UK tax returns at the new market value established after probate. If letting property held via an overseas company structure, seek advice as controlled foreign company rules may apply.

If jointly owning an overseas let property, you can choose whether to split the income 50/50 or base the split on your actual respective shares of the legal ownership. This ownership split dictates what proportion of the rental profit each spouse must declare for UK tax. You should agree a consistent split and properly document this. If not clearly evidenced, HMRC can simply apply a 50/50 split if audited.

Yes, with a diverse property portfolio, some tax planning may be useful. This could involve balancing type of lets across jurisdictions, utilising any double tax relief provisions, arranging finances to distribute income, making pension contributions or timing renovations to manage profit. Good record keeping is essential to report properly and demonstrate active management across territories. Seek specialist landlord tax advice.