Non-UK resident property companies to be charged Corporation Tax

11 Jul 2018

The government is to move forward with plans to charge Corporation Tax to non-UK resident companies with property income. Currently, these companies are chargeable to Income Tax and not UK Corporation Tax.

This change is part of the government's aim to ensure that all companies are subject to the same tax treatment and to limit some of the reliefs claimed by foreign companies on UK rental income. Whilst the Corporation Tax rate continues to fall, the benefit of the falling tax rate may not offset the tighter restrictions faced by non-resident companies claiming tax relief on rental income.

The change is expected to take effect from 6 April 2020, when any non-UK resident companies that carries on a UK property business or has any other UK property income will become liable to Corporation Tax rather than Income Tax as at present.

This measure is expected to affect approximately 22,000 non-resident company landlords. The restriction on interest relief could have a significant impact on non-UK companies that receive UK rental income as well as some entities that seek to reduce their tax bill on UK property through offshore ownership.