Tax Question Time – Losses on Property Let at Undervalue
Friday March 2017
A. In order to be deductible from rental income for tax purposes, property business expenses must pass the familiar test of being incurred “wholly and exclusively” for the purposes of the business. HM Revenue & Customs take the view that if property is let at less than market rent to a relative then the related expenses are incurred partly for benevolent or philanthropic reasons so fail the wholly and exclusively test. Strictly speaking, this means that no expenditure ought to be allowed as a deduction against the rental income but HMRC will allow a deduction up to the amount of rent received for the property. This means your client will not be liable to tax on the income from her son but it also means she will not have a loss eligible for tax relief.
Published form Croner Taxwise Limited
Click here to see how easy it is to switch to Cowley Holmes
Claim your FREE Essential Guide to Understanding your accounts