CGT due on assisted sale – advice?

CGT due on assisted sale – advice?

10:51 AM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago 5

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Hello, Assisted Sale and CGT query – and specifically what do solicitors and accountants consider the price to be – the actual sale price on market or price agreed in assisted sale document?

Accountant’s advice will be formally sought but before I get this I’d like to check out what others think of this scenario

Summary of situation put as simply as I can and leaving out cost of build, delays, etc.

An assisted sale on a 3 bedroomed house agreed was agreed at £716,250 – to be paid once the property was sold on after development. There is a formal agreement but no lease option in place, no exchange etc just an agreement to buy at that price with any remainder going to the buyer/developer.

The property was developed into two flats – all costs, council tax etc paid by buyer/developer.

Value of flats on project completion £545 and £520, total £1,065,000.

If sold at that price, £1,065,000 in sales will go through the solicitors and Stamp duty will be paid on that amount by two new buyers.

Normally that would be declared as sales of £1,065,000 and CGT paid at 28% on the gain after all deductions.

In this case, when the sale price agreed was £716,250 as per the agreement, how can that work?

Will that be accepted by a solicitor and accountant?

And how does that work if the solicitors are receiving the full amount of £1065,000 and declaring that?

Any thoughts/pointers welcome.

Suzan


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Graham Bowcock

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17:07 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

As no one else has ventured an opinion, I will offer some comments. My firm gets involved in land promotion and option agreements, which are similar to what you are talking about. - somebody other than the landowner funds the planning/development costs then the property is sold.
Firstly, I think you need to look at the contract and see what that says. It's somewhat irrelevant as to what you call the scheme (e.g. assisted sale), the important thing is what the agreement requires the parties to do.
Secondly, have you had legal advice? Hopefully there is a proper contract in place. If not then it's probably something to be avoided? Has the third party got a charge on the property (if not, how do they protect the money they are investing).
My simplistic view is that the sale price would be £1,065,000, due to the property owner (presumably they are contracting with the ultimate buyers). CGT would be payable on that, but less costs. It depends how the contract is set up as to whether the costs payable to the third party (£348,000) are deductible for CGT purposes. This is why you need to refer to the contract and make sure there is proper legal advice. The tax at stake if you get it wrong is nearly £100,000.

Vistaro

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17:07 PM, 11th October 2022, About 2 years ago

You need professional advice on this - My opinion (which is not advice) is that assuming you sell it for £1.065m to the end buyer then the sale price is the £1.065m and then you will pay the builder his/her agreed profit share, you will then be liable for any due taxes etc.
If you sell it to the builder for £716,250 perhaps on an exchange with delayed completion contract and the builder then sells it to the end buyer you will be deemed to have sold it for £716,250 and your taxes will be based on that. The problem with this approach is there’s two lots of stamp to pay and two lots of legals to pay.
Both you and the builder need advice to structure this in a way that legally maximises profits for both of you in an amicable manner.
Eg it may (again my opinion) be better to set up a SPV to manage this better but it really does depend on both of your circumstances.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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0:25 AM, 12th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Clearly you’ve been flying by the seat of your pants given that you’re only asking this question now.

You need specialist tax advice on this and the agreement you made will dictate the tax you will pay.

Whether you will pay CGT or income tax will depend on the agreement. Whether you have “substantially performed” a contract for SDLT will dictate whether you also need to pay that too, again agreement depending.

Sue Whittle

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9:03 AM, 18th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Graham Bowcock at 11/10/2022 - 17:07
Thank this is extremely helpful

Sue Whittle

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9:04 AM, 18th October 2022, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Vistaro at 11/10/2022 - 17:07
thanks very helpful - lots to consider here

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