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We've scoured the web to get you the most up-to-date advice which includes the most useful tools on offer from the officials themselves.

Effective tax planning is essential if you are to minimise your tax bills. Simple tax planning can significantly reduce your tax liabilities.

The self-assessment tax return is an unavoidable burden if you are liable for self-employed tax or have complicated income tax affairs.

Corporation tax is charged on a company's profits. If you trade as a limited company, ensure that paying this tax is as painless as possible.

National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are payable whether you are self-employed or employed by your own company, although different rates apply.

As well as your legal obligations, you’ll want to ensure that payroll is painless and that you use any opportunities to improve your tax-efficiency.

VAT

Effective VAT planning aims to ensure that VAT is relatively painless, and that you are reclaiming as much as possible of the VAT you pay.

Capital gains are made when you sell something for more money than you paid for it. As a result, you can be subject to tax. Take professional advice.

Business property taxes apply to businesses with commercial premises.There are two commercial property taxes: business rates and stamp duty land tax.

If you have tax problems or face a tax investigation, it pays to seek professional advice and you must act rather than just hoping for the best.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty land tax (SDLT) is payable on property and land purchases above set SDLT thresholds. The buyer pays stamp duty, which usually applies to both freehold and leasehold transactions

Because SDLT can significantly increase purchase costs, it may be worth investigating any stamp duty planning opportunities when considering a property purchase.

What is stamp duty?

Stamp duty land tax (SDLT) is a self-assessed, compulsory tax payable by buyers on most property transactions in England and Northern Ireland. (There is an equivalent Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, LBTT, in Scotland. In Wales, Stamp duty has been replaced with Land Transaction Tax.)

Stamp duty is payable on property and land purchases or transfers above set SDLT thresholds and applies to both freehold and leasehold transactions. Most property transactions must be reported to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) even if SDLT is not payable.

How is stamp duty calculated?

SDLT for both commercial and residential property is charged on the purchase price. It is calculated on the proportion of a property's value in each tax band.

SDLT is not payable on the price of commercial properties up to £150,000 and up to £250,000 for residential properties. First-time buyers of residential property worth upto £625,000 do not pay SDLT on the first £425,000. There were different thresholds for residential property purchases until 22 September 2022.

Amounts paid over the initial stamp duty-free bands are calculated on the amount of purchase price falling within each tax band.

For example, if a commercial property was purchased for £185,000, there would be nothing to pay on the first £150,000 and 2% SDLT would be payable on the remaining £35,000.

You must send HMRC an SDLT return and pay the tax due within 14 days of completing the purchase.

You can use the Stamp Duty Land Tax Calculator on the GOV.UK website to work out how much SDLT is payable.

Stamp duty relief

For first-time buyers of residential or shared-ownership property worth up to £625,000, there is no SDLT where the purchase price is up to £425,000 or less. SDLT is charged at 5% on the portion between £425,001 and £625,000. For properties worth over £625,000 the rules are the same as for people who have previously bought a home.

You can find information on other reliefs and exemptions on the GOV.UK website.

You may also be able to claim stamp duty relief if you buy land or buildings in a designated Freeport tax site.  You can also claim SDLT relief if you buy a lease for land or buildings in a Freeport, or for any rental payments for the lease in such as area.

Stamp duty on commercial property

Stamp duty land tax (SDLT) applies to purchases and transferes of commercial properties and land. The tables below provide the details of the current SDLT tax bands and rates.

Freehold Non-residential (Commercial property) Stamp Duty Land Tax rates

Purchase price (non-residential or mixed use)

SDLT rate paid on the property amount within each tax band

Up to £150,000

0%

Between £150,001 and £250,000

2%

Over £250,000

5%

Leasehold Non-residential (Commercial property) Stamp Duty Land Tax rates

When you buy a leasehold property, you pay SDLT on the lease purchase price using the rates in the table above. For a new lease, you also pay SDLT on the value of any annual rent payable over the life of the lease, calculated using the rates below.

If you buy an existing 'assigned' lease, you are only liable to SDLT on the lease price.

Value of rent (non-residential or mixed use)

SDLT rate paid on the property amount within each tax band

Up to £150,000

0%

Portion between £150,001 and £5,000,000

1%

The portion over £5,000,000

2%

Businesses in designated Investment Zones will qualify for full SDLT relief for land and buildings that is purchased for use or development for commercial purposes. 

Residential Stamp Duty Land Tax rates

Purchase price/lease premium or transfer value

SDLT rate paid on the property amount within each tax band

Up to £250,000 (or up to £425,000 for first-time buyers, including those buying shared-ownership properties)

0%

Between £250,001 - £925,000

5%

Between £925,001 - £1.5 million

10%

Over £1,500,001

12%

Non-UK residents purchasing a UK residential property usually pay a 2% surcharge on the rates above.

If you are buying a leasehold residential property, you may also have to pay SDLT on the value of the total rent payable over the life of the lease. SDLT is payable at 1% on the value of the rent in excess of £250,000.

Stamp duty on second property

There are higher rates of SDLT which apply where a person is purchasing an additional residential property or 'second home' - such as a holiday home or buy-to-let investment. The rate of SDLT is three percentage points above the rates for residential properties listed above.

For example, if a second residential property was purchased as a holiday cottage which cost £300,000, SDLT of 3% would be charged on the purchase price up to £250,000 and 8% SDLT would be payable on the remaining £50,000 of the purchase price.

Company purchases of residential property

There is a 3% surcharge on residential property bought by companies. For residential properties worth more than £500,000 bought by a company, a 15% charge may apply.

Companies that own residential property worth more than £500,000 may also need to pay an 'annual tax on enveloped dwellings'.

Stamp duty land tax planning

Stamp duty land tax is based on the purchase price of the land and property. Separating out anything else included in a transaction - such as machinery, furniture or carpets - will reduce the taxable price on which SDLT is payable.

At the same time, you may want to use the opportunity to identify which items will qualify for capital allowances to be set against income tax or corporation tax.

It may be possible to reduce or eliminate SDLT on larger transactions, using complex SDLT mitigation schemes. You should take specialist advice, because HMRC may look to challenge any reduction in the SDLT paid.

You can find more detailed information on SDLT on the GOV.UK website.

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