Residential –

The Welsh Government suddenly announced in their budget on the 21^st December 2020 that from 22^nd December 2020 there will be an increase in the amount of Land Transaction Tax payable for the purchase of additional residential properties or buy to let properties by an additional 1%. Land Transaction Tax is a tax paid by any purchaser buying properties in Wales. This change applies to all purchasers acting in their individual capacity, companies, LLP’s or trust entities. Please note that this change only applies to the purchase of second properties.

If a purchaser of a property had exchanged contracts before the end of 21^st December 2020, but not yet completed, they should be able to pay the old rates of Land Transaction Tax on their additional property purchase (provided that the contract is not amended or varied between exchange and completion). If contracts are exchanged on or after 22^nd December 2020, the purchaser is liable to pay the new rates of tax.

For example, on the purchase of a second property with a purchase price of £99,000:-

• Contracts exchanged before 22^nd December 2020

           =  £2970 of duty payable