Unlocking Tax Relief When Remortgaging – Why a Property Tax Accountant in Reading is Your Ally
Picture this: you’re sitting at your kitchen table in Reading, sipping a cuppa, and staring at a remortgage offer that promises lower monthly payments but leaves you wondering about the tax implications. Remortgaging can feel like navigating a maze, especially when it comes to tax relief. A property tax accountant in Reading can be your guide, helping you maximise reliefs, avoid pitfalls, and ensure your finances stay on track. With 18 years advising UK taxpayers and business owners, I’ve seen how a skilled accountant can turn complex tax rules into opportunities. Let’s dive into how they can help, starting with the basics of remortgaging and tax relief, tailored for UK taxpayers and business owners as of August 2025.
What is Remortgaging and Why Does Tax Relief Matter?
Remortgaging involves switching your existing mortgage to a new deal, either with your current lender or a new one, often to secure a lower interest rate, release equity, or adjust terms. For UK taxpayers, particularly those with rental properties or business interests, remortgaging can unlock tax relief opportunities, especially if the property is used for business purposes or let out. According to HMRC’s 2025/26 guidance, tax relief on mortgage interest for residential landlords is now restricted to a 20% tax credit, a change phased in since 2017. This shift makes expert advice crucial to optimise your tax position.
A property tax accountant in Reading can analyse your mortgage interest, property income, and other deductions to ensure you’re claiming every penny you’re entitled to. For instance, if you’re a higher-rate taxpayer (40% on income over £50,270), you might miss out on significant savings without professional help. HMRC data suggests over 1.8 million UK landlords were affected by the 2025/26 tax year changes, with many overpaying due to incorrect calculations or unclaimed reliefs. A local accountant understands Reading’s property market, from RG1’s bustling rentals to quieter suburban lets, tailoring advice to your postcode.
Understanding the 2025/26 Tax Landscape for Remortgaging
Before we get to the nitty-gritty, let’s set the scene with the current tax rules. For the 2025/26 tax year, the personal allowance remains frozen at £12,570, meaning no tax on income up to this amount. The basic rate (20%) applies to income from £12,571 to £50,270, higher rate (40%) from £50,271 to £125,140, and additional rate (45%) above that. Scottish taxpayers face different bands: starter rate (19%) up to £2,306, basic (20%) to £13,991, intermediate (21%) to £31,092, higher (42%) to £62,430, advanced (45%) to £125,140, and top rate (48%) beyond. National Insurance thresholds also remain static, with Class 1 contributions at 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 for employees.
For landlords, the key tax relief on remortgaging comes from mortgage interest on let properties. Since 2020, full deductions of mortgage interest as an expense were replaced by a 20% tax credit, calculated on the interest paid. For example, if you pay £10,000 in mortgage interest annually, you can claim a £2,000 tax credit against your tax bill. A Reading accountant can verify this calculation, ensuring you don’t overpay, especially if you have multiple properties or mixed-use assets (e.g., a shop with a flat above).
How a Reading Accountant Spots Tax Relief Opportunities
None of us loves tax surprises, but a property tax accountant can help you avoid them. They start by reviewing your mortgage documents and property income to identify deductible expenses. For landlords, this includes not just mortgage interest but also repairs, insurance, and agent fees. A client of mine, a Reading landlord named Tom, remortgaged his Caversham rental to release £50,000 for renovations. His accountant calculated a £3,000 tax credit on his £15,000 annual interest, saving him from overpaying HMRC by £1,200 due to an outdated tax code.
Accountants also check for errors in your tax code, especially if you’re a PAYE employee with rental income on the side. Incorrect codes, like 1257L when you should have a BR (basic rate) code for additional income, can lead to under- or over-taxation. In 2023, HMRC reported 3 million incorrect tax codes nationwide, with Reading’s diverse workforce – from tech workers to small business owners – particularly prone to errors due to multiple income streams. Your accountant can liaise with HMRC via your personal tax account to correct these, potentially unlocking refunds.
Step-by-Step: Checking Your Mortgage Interest Relief
So, how do you ensure you’re getting the right relief? Here’s a practical guide to verify your mortgage interest tax credit, which a Reading accountant can streamline:
- Gather Documents: Collect your mortgage statements showing interest paid, rental income records, and any expense receipts (e.g., repairs, insurance).
- Log into Your Personal Tax Account: Access your HMRC account to view your tax code and Self Assessment details. If you’re not registered, a Reading accountant can help set this up.
- Calculate Interest Paid: Note the total interest paid on your mortgage(s) for the tax year. For example, £12,000 interest on a buy-to-let mortgage.
- Apply the 20% Tax Credit: Multiply the interest by 20% (e.g., £12,000 × 0.2 = £2,400 tax credit). This reduces your tax bill, not your taxable income.
- Cross-Check with HMRC: Submit your Self Assessment by 31 January 2026 for the 2025/26 tax year, ensuring the credit is applied correctly.
- Spot Errors: If your tax bill seems high, check for unclaimed expenses or incorrect tax codes. An accountant can file an amendment or claim a refund.
For self-employed individuals or business owners, the process gets trickier. If your property is part of a business (e.g., a holiday let or office space), you may deduct interest as a business expense, not just a tax credit. A Reading accountant can advise on complex cases, like mixed-use properties, ensuring compliance with HMRC’s rules.
Worksheet: Track Your Remortgage Tax Relief
To make this practical, here’s a worksheet you can use to track potential tax relief. Fill it out and share with your accountant for a tailored review.
This worksheet helps you organise data for your accountant, saving time and ensuring accuracy. In my experience, clients who use structured tools like this catch errors faster, like a Reading café owner who discovered £1,800 in unclaimed relief after completing a similar form.
Why Reading’s Property Market Needs Local Expertise
Reading’s property market, with its mix of student rentals, family homes, and commercial spaces, demands local knowledge. A Reading accountant understands regional nuances, like higher rental yields in RG2 or business rates for Thames Valley offices. They can also advise on capital gains tax (CGT) if you release equity through remortgaging, as CGT rates for 2025/26 are 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher rate) for residential property. By aligning your remortgage strategy with tax planning, you avoid surprises, like a £5,000 CGT bill I helped a client dodge by timing their equity release.
Advanced Tax Relief Strategies for Remortgaging – Navigating Complex Scenarios in Reading
So, the big question on your mind might be: what happens when your finances aren’t straightforward? Maybe you’re a landlord with multiple properties, a self-employed tradesperson using your home as an office, or an employee with a side hustle that’s muddling your tax code. A property tax accountant in Reading can untangle these knots, ensuring you claim every bit of remortgage tax relief you’re entitled to. In my 18 years advising clients across Berkshire, I’ve seen how complex income streams and property setups can trip up even the savviest taxpayers. Let’s dive into advanced strategies, tailored for the 2025/26 tax year, with practical steps and real-world examples to keep your tax bill lean.
Handling Multiple Income Sources and Remortgaging
Be careful here, because I’ve seen clients trip up when juggling multiple income sources. If you’re an employee with a PAYE salary, a landlord with rental income, or self-employed with a side gig, remortgaging can complicate your tax relief. HMRC’s rules require you to report all income through Self Assessment, and a Reading accountant can ensure your mortgage interest relief is correctly applied across these streams. For instance, if you remortgage a buy-to-let property to release equity for a business, the interest may qualify as a business expense, not just a 20% tax credit.
Consider Sarah, a Reading-based graphic designer who’s self-employed and owns two rental properties in RG1. She remortgaged one property to fund a studio expansion, paying £18,000 in annual interest. Her accountant identified that £12,000 of the interest was deductible as a business expense (for the studio portion), while the remaining £6,000 qualified for a £1,200 tax credit as a landlord. This dual approach saved her £3,400 compared to a standard tax credit calculation. Without local expertise, she might have missed this, as HMRC’s Self Assessment guidance doesn’t always highlight such nuances.
Here’s a quick checklist to manage multiple income sources:
- List All Income: Include PAYE wages, rental income, self-employed earnings, and side hustles (e.g., Etsy sales or Uber driving).
- Segregate Property Use: Clarify if your remortgaged property is fully let, mixed-use (e.g., home office), or business premises.
- Verify Tax Codes: Check your PAYE tax code via your personal tax account. Multiple jobs often lead to BR or D0 codes, which can overtax you.
- Track Expenses: Record all deductible expenses, like mortgage interest, repairs, and business costs, to offset income.
- Consult an Accountant: A Reading expert can allocate expenses correctly, especially for Scottish or Welsh taxpayers facing different tax bands.
Spotting and Fixing Tax Overpayments
None of us wants to pay more tax than we owe, but overpayments are common, especially during remortgaging. HMRC data from 2024 shows that 1 in 10 UK taxpayers overpaid due to incorrect tax codes or unclaimed reliefs, with an average refund of £780. A property tax accountant can spot these errors, particularly if you’ve remortgaged to release equity or changed your property’s use (e.g., from personal to rental).
Take James, a Reading IT consultant who remortgaged his Tilehurst home to buy a second property for letting. His tax code was incorrectly set to 1257L, ignoring his new rental income, leading to a £1,500 overpayment in 2024/25. His accountant used HMRC’s P800 form to reclaim the overpayment and adjusted his code to BR for the rental income, saving him £900 in the 2025/26 tax year. To check for overpayments yourself:
- Review Your P60 or P45: These show your annual tax paid and income. Compare with your expected tax liability using the 2025/26 bands (see Part 1 tables).
- Check Your Tax Code: Access your personal tax account to confirm your code matches your income sources. Look for errors like emergency codes (e.g., 1257L X).
- Calculate Expected Tax: Use your total income (PAYE + rental) minus allowances and deductions. For example, £40,000 salary + £10,000 rental income = £50,000 taxable income (after £12,570 allowance), taxed at 20% (£7,486).
- Claim Refunds: If you’ve overpaid, contact HMRC or let your accountant file a P800 or Self Assessment amendment.
Common Tax Code Errors |
Impact |
Fix |
1257L (Standard) on multiple jobs |
Overtaxes additional income |
Request BR or D0 code for second job |
Emergency Code (e.g., 1257L X) |
Temporary overtaxing |
Update via personal tax account |
Missing Rental Income |
Underreported tax, penalties |
Declare via Self Assessment |
Incorrect Allowances |
Reduced tax-free amount |
Adjust with HMRC or accountant |
Scottish and Welsh Taxpayers: Regional Variations
If you’re a Scottish or Welsh taxpayer, remortgaging tax relief gets a twist. Scotland’s tax bands (see Part 1) mean higher rates kick in earlier, impacting your tax credit’s value. For example, a Scottish landlord earning £60,000 (including £15,000 rental income) pays 42% tax on part of their income, but the mortgage interest relief remains a flat 20% credit. This mismatch can erode savings, so a Reading accountant with cross-regional expertise can optimise your strategy, perhaps by timing deductions.
Welsh taxpayers follow UK bands but have devolved powers via the Welsh Revenue Authority. Mortgage interest relief rules align with England, but local property taxes (like Land Transaction Tax) may affect remortgaging costs. A Reading accountant can navigate these, ensuring you don’t miss reliefs specific to your region.
Case Study: The High-Income Child Benefit Trap
Now, let’s think about a tricky scenario: the High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). If you or your partner earn over £60,000 (adjusted net income, including rental income), you start repaying Child Benefit, fully phased out at £80,000. Remortgaging can push your income into this zone, especially if you release equity as taxable income. In 2024, I advised a Reading couple, Emma and Raj, who remortgaged their rental property, increasing their income by £10,000. This triggered a £1,200 HICBC, which they hadn’t anticipated. Their accountant restructured their deductions, claiming additional expenses to lower their adjusted net income below £60,000, saving the charge.
To avoid this trap:
- Calculate Adjusted Net Income: Include salary, rental income, and other sources, minus pension contributions and allowable deductions.
- Monitor Remortgage Impact: Equity release counts as income if used for personal purposes, not business.
- Claim All Deductions: Maximise mortgage interest and property expenses to reduce taxable income.
- Use an Accountant: They can model scenarios to keep your income below HICBC thresholds.
Worksheet: Multiple Income Tax Relief Tracker
To help you stay on top of complex incomes, here’s a tailored worksheet. Share it with your Reading accountant to fine-tune your remortgage relief.
Business Owners, Rare Cases, and Maximising Remortgage Tax Relief in Reading
Now, let’s think about your situation – if you’re a business owner or facing an unusual tax scenario, remortgaging can feel like a high-stakes game. Whether you’re running a café in Reading’s Oracle or freelancing from a home office in Woodley, a property tax accountant can be your secret weapon to maximise tax relief and dodge costly mistakes. In my 18 years advising UK taxpayers, I’ve seen how tailored strategies can transform complex cases into savings. This final part dives into business-specific remortgage relief, rare tax pitfalls like emergency codes, and practical tools to ensure you’re not overpaying HMRC in the 2025/26 tax year.
Remortgaging for Business Owners: Unlocking Deductions
Picture this: you’re a Reading business owner, perhaps a self-employed electrician or a small retail chain owner, and you’ve remortgaged your commercial property to fund expansion. Unlike residential landlords, business owners can often deduct mortgage interest as a full business expense, not just a 20% tax credit, provided the property is used for business purposes. According to HMRC’s Business Income Manual, interest on loans for business assets – like a shop or office – is deductible against profits, reducing your taxable income.
For example, Priya, a Reading café owner, remortgaged her commercial property to buy new equipment, paying £20,000 in annual interest. Her accountant deducted this as a business expense, lowering her taxable profits from £60,000 to £40,000, saving her £4,000 in tax (at 20%). Without expert advice, she might have claimed only the 20% tax credit (£4,000), losing £2,000 in savings. A Reading accountant can also advise on mixed-use properties, apportioning interest between business and personal use. For instance, if you live above your shop, only the business portion’s interest is deductible.
Here’s a quick guide for business owners:
- Identify Property Use: Confirm if your remortgaged property is fully business (e.g., office) or mixed-use (e.g., home office).
- Document Interest: Collect mortgage statements showing interest paid, typically found in annual lender summaries.
- Apportion Expenses: For mixed-use properties, calculate the business-use percentage (e.g., 60% if your office occupies 60% of the space).
- Deduct via Self Assessment: Report interest as a business expense in your Self Assessment return by 31 January 2026.
- Check Capital Allowances: If remortgaging funds equipment, you may claim capital allowances, like the Annual Investment Allowance (up to £1 million in 2025/26).
Rare Tax Pitfalls: Emergency Tax and Gig Economy Challenges
Be careful here, because I’ve seen clients trip up with rare tax issues during remortgaging. One common trap is the emergency tax code, often applied when HMRC lacks up-to-date income data, such as after a job change or new rental income post-remortgage. For example, an emergency code like 1257L X taxes you as if you have no allowances, leading to overpayments. In 2024, I helped a Reading nurse, Liam, who faced a £900 overpayment after remortgaging his rental property, triggering an emergency code. His accountant corrected it via HMRC’s personal tax account, securing a refund within weeks.
Another pitfall is the gig economy, where side hustles like Deliveroo or Etsy complicate tax relief. If you remortgage to fund a gig-related business (e.g., a van for deliveries), the interest may be deductible, but only if properly reported. HMRC’s 2025 guidance notes that 1.2 million UK gig workers underreported income, risking penalties. A Reading accountant can ensure your Self Assessment captures all gig income and deductions, preventing surprises.
Rare Tax Scenarios |
Risk |
Solution |
Emergency Tax Code |
Overtaxing due to temporary code |
Update via personal tax account or accountant |
Gig Economy Income |
Unreported income, penalties |
Declare all income in Self Assessment |
High-Income Child Benefit Charge |
Unexpected repayment |
Adjust deductions to lower adjusted net income |
IR35 Non-Compliance |
Higher tax on contractor income |
Review contracts with accountant |
Case Study: IR35 and Remortgaging Gone Wrong
Let’s consider a real-world example: IR35, the off-payroll working rules, can complicate remortgaging for contractors. In 2023, I advised Mark, a Reading IT contractor, who remortgaged his home to fund a rental property. His IR35 status meant his contract income was taxed as PAYE, but he failed to declare rental income, leading to a £2,500 penalty. His accountant restructured his Self Assessment, claiming £3,000 in mortgage interest relief and correcting his tax code, saving him £1,800 in 2024/25. A Reading accountant familiar with IR35 can prevent such errors, especially post-2025 reforms tightening contractor rules.
Worksheet: Business Owner’s Remortgage Deduction Planner
To help business owners maximise deductions, here’s a custom planner. Use it to organise data for your accountant, ensuring no relief is missed.
This planner ensures you capture all deductible interest and expenses, streamlining discussions with your Reading accountant. I’ve seen clients save thousands by using similar tools to organise their finances.
Summary of Key Points
- A Reading property tax accountant maximises remortgage tax relief by analysing mortgage interest and property income.
Local expertise ensures compliance with HMRC rules and regional market nuances. - The 2025/26 personal allowance is £12,570, with tax bands at 20%, 40%, and 45% (Scotland: 19%–48%).
Use these to calculate your tax liability accurately. - Landlords claim a 20% tax credit on mortgage interest, not a full deduction.
Ensure calculations match HMRC’s rules to avoid overpaying. - Business owners can deduct interest as a business expense for commercial or mixed-use properties.
Apportion expenses carefully for mixed-use assets. - Check your tax code via your personal tax account to spot errors like emergency codes.
Incorrect codes can lead to overpayments, refundable via P800 forms. - Multiple income sources (e.g., PAYE, rentals, side hustles) require careful reporting in Self Assessment.
A Reading accountant can allocate reliefs correctly to minimise tax. - Scottish and Welsh taxpayers face unique tax bands and rules.
Accountants adjust strategies for regional variations to optimise relief. - Watch for pitfalls like the High-Income Child Benefit Charge (£60,000–£80,000 income).
Maximise deductions to lower adjusted net income and avoid charges. - IR35 and gig economy income can complicate remortgage relief.
Declare all income to avoid penalties and claim relevant deductions. - Use worksheets and planners to track income, expenses, and reliefs.
Structured tools help accountants spot errors and save you money.
FAQs
Q1: Can someone claim tax relief on a remortgaged property used as a home office?
A1: Well, it’s a bit of a grey area, but here’s the deal: if you’re self-employed and use part of your remortgaged home as an office, you can claim a portion of the mortgage interest as a business expense. For example, a Reading freelancer using 20% of their home for work can deduct 20% of the interest paid, say £2,000 of a £10,000 annual interest bill. A local accountant ensures the apportionment is HMRC-compliant, avoiding overclaims that could trigger audits.
Q2: What happens if someone remortgages a rental property but forgets to report the income?
A2: In my experience with clients, forgetting to report rental income is a common slip-up that can lead to hefty penalties. If you remortgage a rental property, the interest qualifies for a 20% tax credit, but only if you declare the income via Self Assessment. For instance, a Reading landlord earning £15,000 in rent but failing to report it faced a £3,000 penalty. A property tax accountant can backdate filings and negotiate with HMRC to minimise fines.
Q3: How does a Reading accountant help with remortgaging for a holiday let?
A3: Holiday lets are a different beast from standard rentals. The mortgage interest can be deducted as a business expense if the property qualifies as a Furnished Holiday Letting (FHL) under HMRC rules, like being available for 210 days annually. A Reading accountant, familiar with Berkshire’s holiday let market, can verify eligibility and maximise deductions, potentially saving thousands compared to the 20% tax credit for regular landlords.
Q4: Can someone claim tax relief if they remortgage to pay off personal debts?
A4: It’s worth noting that personal debt repayment doesn’t qualify for tax relief. If you remortgage your home or rental property to clear credit card debt, the interest isn’t deductible or eligible for the 20% tax credit, as it’s not a business or rental expense. A Reading accountant can explore other reliefs, like home office deductions if you’re self-employed, to offset your tax bill elsewhere.
Q5: How does a property tax accountant handle remortgaging for a limited company?
A5: For limited company owners, remortgaging a business property can unlock full interest deductions against company profits, unlike the 20% tax credit for individuals. Take a Reading tech startup that remortgaged its office, paying £25,000 in interest. Their accountant deducted this fully, reducing corporation tax by £4,750 (at 19%). A local expert ensures compliance with HMRC’s strict rules on company loans and property use.
Q6: What if someone’s tax code doesn’t reflect their rental income after remortgaging?
A6: This is a classic issue I’ve seen with Reading clients. If your tax code (e.g., 1257L) doesn’t account for rental income from a remortgaged property, you could be under- or overtaxed. An accountant can contact HMRC to adjust your code to BR or D0, ensuring accurate tax on rental profits. For example, a teacher with £10,000 rental income saved £1,200 after correcting her code via a local expert.
Q7: Can a Scottish taxpayer in Reading claim different remortgage relief due to tax bands?
A7: Absolutely, Scottish taxpayers face unique tax bands, which impact relief calculations. For the 2025/26 tax year, Scotland’s higher rate (42%) kicks in at £43,663, compared to £50,271 in England. A Reading accountant with cross-regional expertise can ensure your 20% mortgage interest tax credit aligns with Scottish rates, preventing overpayment if your income straddles bands.
Q8: How does remortgaging affect Capital Gains Tax when selling a rental property?
A8: It’s a tricky one, but remortgaging itself doesn’t trigger Capital Gains Tax (CGT). However, if you release equity and sell the property later, the equity reduces your cost base, increasing your taxable gain. For example, a Reading landlord who remortgaged for £50,000 equity faced a £6,000 CGT bill (at 24%) on sale. An accountant can time the remortgage to minimise CGT exposure.
Q9: Can someone claim relief on a remortgaged property used for Airbnb?
A9: Airbnb properties often qualify as Furnished Holiday Lettings, allowing full interest deductions if they meet HMRC’s criteria (e.g., let for 105 days annually). A Reading accountant can verify this and calculate deductions, saving you more than the standard 20% tax credit. For instance, a client letting their Caversham flat via Airbnb deducted £8,000 in interest, cutting their tax by £1,600.
Q10: What if someone remortgages a property but moves abroad?
A10: Moving abroad adds complexity, but you can still claim the 20% tax credit on UK rental income if you’re a non-resident landlord. HMRC’s Non-Resident Landlord Scheme requires tenants or agents to withhold tax unless approved otherwise. A Reading accountant can manage this, ensuring your relief is claimed correctly, even from overseas, avoiding double taxation.
Q11: How can an accountant help if someone remortgages multiple properties?
A11: Managing multiple properties is a minefield, but a Reading accountant can streamline it. They’ll allocate interest across properties, ensuring each qualifies for the 20% tax credit or business deductions. For example, a landlord with three Reading rentals saved £4,500 by having their accountant correctly apportion £22,000 in total interest, avoiding HMRC errors.
Q12: Can someone claim relief if they remortgage to fund a new business venture?
A12: If you remortgage to fund a business, the interest may be deductible as a business expense. A Reading sole trader who remortgaged their home for £30,000 to start a bakery deducted £6,000 in interest annually, saving £1,200 in tax. An accountant ensures the loan purpose is documented to satisfy HMRC’s strict rules.
Q13: What if someone’s remortgage interest seems higher than their tax credit?
A13: It’s a common mix-up, but the 20% tax credit is capped at your tax liability. If your £15,000 interest yields a £3,000 credit but your tax bill is only £2,000, you lose the excess. A Reading accountant can offset this by claiming other expenses, like repairs, to reduce your taxable income and maximise relief.
Q14: How does a property tax accountant help with remortgaging for pensioners?
A14: Pensioners with rental properties face unique challenges, like the frozen £12,570 personal allowance in 2025/26. A Reading accountant can ensure their mortgage interest relief is optimised, especially if pension income pushes them into the 40% band. For example, a retired couple saved £1,800 by claiming overlooked repair expenses alongside their tax credit.
Q15: Can someone claim relief if they remortgage a property held in a trust?
A15: Properties in trusts are complex, but interest relief is possible if the trust generates rental income. The 20% tax credit applies to the trust’s tax return, not the individual’s. A Reading accountant can navigate trust tax rules, ensuring accurate filings and avoiding penalties, like a £2,000 fine I helped a client dodge.
Q16: What if someone remortgages but their lender reports incorrect interest to HMRC?
A16: It happens more than you’d think. If your lender reports wrong interest figures, your tax credit could be off. A Reading accountant can cross-check your mortgage statements against HMRC records, correcting errors via Self Assessment. One client fixed a £1,500 underclaim after their lender misreported £10,000 in interest.
Q17: How does remortgaging affect tax relief for joint property owners?
A17: Joint owners split the 20% tax credit based on their share of rental income. For example, a Reading couple owning a rental 60/40 claimed £1,200 and £800 credits on £10,000 interest. An accountant ensures accurate apportionment, especially if one partner is a higher-rate taxpayer, maximising overall savings.
Q18: Can someone claim relief if they remortgage to buy a second home?
A18: If the second home is let out, you can claim the 20% tax credit on its mortgage interest. However, if it’s for personal use, no relief applies. A Reading accountant can advise on tax-efficient structuring, like letting the property part-time to qualify for relief, saving clients hundreds annually.
Q19: How does a Reading accountant help with remortgaging under Making Tax Digital?
A19: Making Tax Digital (MTD) requires quarterly digital reporting for landlords and businesses by 2026. A Reading accountant can ensure your remortgage interest is accurately logged in MTD-compliant software, avoiding errors. A client avoided a £1,000 penalty by having their accountant align their rental income reports with MTD rules.
Q20: What if someone remortgages but faces an HMRC audit?
A20: Audits are stressful, but a Reading accountant can be your lifeline. They’ll review your remortgage documents and Self Assessment to justify your 20% tax credit or deductions. For instance, a landlord under audit saved £5,000 in penalties by having their accountant provide detailed interest and expense records, proving compliance.