Land and Building Transaction Tax

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) is payable on the acquisition of a chargeable interest of land or buildings in Scotland. It replaces UK Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for transactions in Scotland from April 2015. At Page Ivy, we can provide guidance on LBTT in the Chesterfield area.

Who pays the tax?

LBTT is payable by the purchaser in a land transaction occurring in Scotland. Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) applies to land transactions in England and Northern Ireland and Land Transaction Tax (LTT) applies in Wales.

What is a land transaction?

A transaction will trigger liability if it involves the acquisition of an interest in land. This will include a simple conveyance of land such as buying a house, creating a lease or assigning a lease.

When is the tax payable?

The tax has to be paid when a contract has been substantially performed. In cases where the purchaser takes possession of the property on completion, that will be the date. However, if the purchaser effectively takes possession before completion - known as ‘resting on contract’ - that will be regarded as triggering the tax.

Residential rates of LBTT

The rates of LBTT which apply from 1 April 2021 are set out in the following table:

Residential property Band % Rate
£0 - £145,000 0
£145,001 - £250,000 2
£250,001 - £325,000 5
£325,001 - £750,000 10
£750,001 and over 12

The rates apply to the portion of the total value which falls within each band.

First-time buyer relief

A LBTT relief applies for first-time buyers of properties up to £175,000. The relief raises the zero tax threshold for first-time buyers from £145,000 to £175,000. First-time buyers purchasing a property above £175,000 also benefit from the relief on the portion of the price below the threshold. So all first-time buyers will benefit from a relief of up to £600.

Higher rates for additional residential properties

Higher rates of LBTT are charged on purchases of additional residential properties (above £40,000), such as buy to let properties and second homes.

The main target of the higher rates is purchases of buy to let properties or second homes. However, there will be some purchasers who will have to pay the additional charge even though the property purchased will not be a buy to let or a second home. The 18 month rules set out below will help to remove some transactions from the additional rates (or allow a refund). Care will be needed if an individual already owns, or partly owns, a property and transacts to purchase another property without having disposed of the first property.

The higher rates are 6% above those shown in the table above. The higher rates potentially apply if, at the end of the day of the purchase transaction, the individual owns two or more residential properties.

Some further detail:

  • purchasers will have 18 months to claim a refund of the higher rates if they buy a new main residence before disposing of their previous main residence
  • purchasers will also have 18 months between selling a main residence and replacing it with another main residence without having to pay the higher rates
  • a small share in a property which has been inherited within the 18 months prior to a transaction will not be considered as an additional property when applying the higher rates
  • there will be no exemption from the higher rates for significant investors
  • LBTT includes an 18 month period rather than 36 months which applies for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

Non-residential rates of LBTT

Non-residential Band % Rate
£0 - £150,000 0
£150,001 - £250,000 1
£250,001 - over 5

The Scottish government has LBTT calculators which work out the amount of LBTT payable. The calculators can be found at www.revenue.scot/land-buildings-transaction-tax/tax-calculators.

How we can help

If you are in the Chesterfield area please do contact us for guidance on LBTT.

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After completing her A-Levels in 2017, Rebecca started her career in accounting by joining the Page Ivy team. Since then she has completed levels 2 and 3 of the AAT qualification and is currently studying towards level 4.

In the office, Rebecca works with our clients to assist them in preparing their VAT returns, assists with Xero Cloud-based bookkeeping and Accounting and is also trained in all matters of payroll.

In her spare time, Rebecca likes to, spend time with her friends and family, train dogs and more recently, has started to learn Spanish.

Since school Charlie has always had an interest in accountancy and followed up on his career aspirations by joining Page Ivy in 2017.

After three years of studying, Charlie is nearing completion of his AAT level 4 qualification and is looking to start his ACCA training imminently.

Charlie deals with the preparation of Limited Company, Sole trader and Partnership accounts along with preparing VAT and MGD returns.

In his spare time, Charlie enjoys watching football and spending time with his partner, friends, and family.

Danielle joined the Page Ivy team back in 2013 as an AAT Trainee, now qualified she is responsible for managing our Payroll  Bureau.

Her role includes processing weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly payroll runs, corresponding with HMRC on behalf of our clients,  preparing and submitting CIS 300 returns, assisting clients with all areas of payroll, HR, and Administration.

In her spare time, Danielle enjoys climbing, spending time with family and friends, and going on long country walks with her partner and dog.

Declan is the newest member of the Page Ivy team, starting with us in 2020.

Declan is currently studying towards level 2 of his AAT Apprenticeship and in the office, is getting to grips with data entry and analysis.

In his spare time, Declan enjoys country walking with his family and dog, sports events and more recently, learning to play the piano!

Megan joined our team in 2014 and has been ensuring that the Page Ivy office runs smoothly ever since.

Her role includes managing the team and their diaries,  handling client queries, and assisting with Administration.

Megan is a Xero certified Payroll advisor, meaning that when Danielle is on leave, Megan is on hand to run our payroll department.

Megan has two children, Isabella and Felicity, who like to keep her busy! In her spare time, she likes to keep fit, spend time with her family and online shop!

Abby started her career in accounting in 2009, working for a small practice in Chesterfield, alongside studying for her AAT qualification.

After three short years, in 2012 the opportunity arose to become Director of Page Ivy Accountants and she hasn't looked back!

Building long-lasting client relationships are of utmost importance to Abby, she has a passion for providing a high level of customer service and ensuring that our clients feel valued.

Abby is responsible for overseeing the preparation of VAT returns and MGD return prepared by the Page Ivy team; along with providing personal tax advice to a wide range of clients.

 

In her spare time, Abby enjoys, traveling, reading, and going to the gym.

Edward joined the team as a school leaver in 2012.  From here he went on to study Business Administration, AAT, and finally progressed on to complete his  ACCA qualification 2019.

Edward is a knowledgable, pro-active Senior accountant, who prides himself on providing high quality, in-depth, technical advice in a manner that is easily understood by his clients.

He is responsible for the preparation of Sole trader, Partnerships, and Limited Company accounts. As well as monthly and quarterly management accounts and conducting business reviews.

In his spare time, Edward likes to spend time with his friends and family,  spending time in his local pub and watching Derby FC collect 3 points.

 

Gareth started his career in accountancy in 2002. Since then he has worked in both small and medium-sized accountancy practices, working with a variety of clients from small businesses to advising quoted companies on Corporate Tax compliance and specialist claims, such as for Research and Development allowances. He places high importance on technical expertise, believing this to be essential to ensure clients can be safe in the knowledge they are fully compliant with HMRC’s requirements while minimising their tax liabilities. This is reflected in him being a fully qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales.

He joined Page Ivy in 2012, since then he has taken responsibility for overseeing the preparation of clients Sole Trader, Partnership and Limited company accounts, as well as clients personal Self Assessment Tax Returns.

Alongside Abby he hopes to continue to develop both the technical expertise within the firm, and see the business continue to grow from strength to strength.

Outside of work Gareth has served as deputy leader of the town council, enjoys eating out, and fishing.

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