Capital Gains Tax changes for expatriates and overseas buyers brings the UK in line with other global property markets The UK government published draft legislation that detailed changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the sale of properties for overseas and expatriate investors. This brings changes for the UK in line with other property markets and aligns overseas and expatriate property investors the same as UK resident home-owners. From 6 April 2015, non-resident UK property investors will be charged on gains made from the sale of their property of between 18% and 28%, this is the same rate as resident home-owners in the UK. The UK government has deemed any UK property owner who spends less than 90 nights in their property to be a non-resident investor and CGT will also be charged on off-plan properties. Other key points arising from the draft legislation are provided below. The changes mean that non-resident UK property owners will need to consider obtaining a valuation of their property. We work with a number of valuers to assist you in obtaining a recent valuation should you need one. If you need to clarify any points relating to the changes to the CGT legislation, we advise property investors using expat mortgages to seek tax advice from a UK tax specialist with knowledge in this area. Who will be affected by this new legislation? From 6 April 2015, CGT will be imposed on disposals of residential UK property by non-resident individuals, trustees, estates and close companies. Off-plan properties will also be treated as fully completed residential properties, so if a non-resident individual re-sells a property before the completion of a project then they will be liable to CGT on any gains arising after 6 April 2015. The government has not extended the CGT charge to non-resident
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