Insight: Finance

Here, I look at the benefits to developers of working with an experienced broker to maximise your chance of getting a firm and quick offer from a lender.

Here I provide my insight on the funding market post-COVID-19, and a little bit of positivity in these challenging times.

In the current challenging times, many of our clients are seeking assurances from funders, contractors, supply chain and professional support services.

When converting a commercial property into residential use, there are a number of VAT issues to consider and it’s essential to get the treatment right at the outset in order to avoid any nasty surprises and minimise the costs associated with the project. Anyone planning to convert any property into residential use is advised to […]

Residential property owners have certainly had to put up with their share of tax changes in recent years and now there’s another fundamental change on the horizon where disposal of UK residential property is involved.

Here are Cowgills top five tax tips for commercial property landlords operating as individual owners or in partnerships.

Landlords and people with second homes have been on the receiving end of numerous tax changes in recent years, many of which have hit them hard in the pocket. This trend shows no sign of abating and more changes are imminent, which will have the effect of restricting lettings relief and halving the final period […]

Occasionally property transactions can involve the giving or receiving of so called 'consideration' in addition to a more usual financial transaction. Make sure you understand the VAT implications to ensure there are no unexpected costs.

Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER) – How long will it last? There’s been much uncertainty lately for property business owners, with a General Election and three and a half years of Brexit debate. A Labour Government was likely to scrap ER but with the Conservatives back in power we will see what they now decide. There’s certainly […]

Planning for succession can be an area which is often overlooked until it’s too late. Here are some top tips to consider when contemplating exiting your business either through sale or succession.

If you are looking to sell a property development company or construction business that trades through a limited company, be aware that there are potentially extensive taxation and legal due diligence issues to be considered.

The Ronseal advert slogan “it does what it says on the tin” sums up one of the key attributes of a short-term lender. Cut away all the jargon and the products, the borrower simply wants to know that if a lender says they can do something then they will do it and will stick with […]

If you are a property developer the way your deals are structured will make a big difference to the tax liabilities, access to finance and cash flow for each project. Have the correct structure Seek early advice so you understand what the best operating vehicle is for your venture. There can be very different tax […]

From 1 October 2019, there will be a significant change to how suppliers in the construction industry supply chain account for VAT. The changes will apply to businesses making or receiving specified services that are reported under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). We talked about this in more detail earlier this year. To read the […]

Following a successful challenge to HMRC’s VAT policy on new build student accommodation, developers should be aware that HMRC is not always correct.

New IR35 regulations being introduced in April 2020 will have significant impact on construction bosses and contractors. IR35 is tax legislation designed to combat tax avoidance by individuals who supply their services via an intermediary (such as a Personal Service Company ‘PSC’, partnership or other individual) but who otherwise would be a direct employee of the […]

With the continued popularity of buy-to-let investment there are potentially a significant number of property owners sitting on unclaimed tax relief because they have not taken specialist advice.

From senior debt to stretched senior, mezzanine and equity providers, there are more lenders in the market than ever before and with appetite to fund schemes in the North West.

Since April 2016 an additional 3% stamp duty charge has been imposed on buyers purchasing a second home, irrespective of the circumstances. However, buyers purchasing a derelict property could now be exempt.

The option to tax allows a business to charge VAT on the sale or rental of commercial property. Here I look at in which circumstances ‘opting to tax’ would be appropriate and why it is imperative to get it right at the outset.