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Thursday 29th May 2025

“Taxation is a significant aspect of a property investment or development business. The amount of tax you pay impacts the overall return on the investment. However, time and time again I come across property investors that have neglected the tax implications and been left with tax liabilities they were either unaware of or significantly more than they expected. There are also occasions where they have paid too much tax!

It is not uncommon for investors and developers to rely on advice they read on social media, from their mates down the pub, on a ‘property experts’ training course or even from an unqualified (or qualified) accountant. Unfortunately, in most cases, once a transaction has completed, it is to late to correct mistakes and change the tax position.

Unfortunately, the accountancy industry is not regulated, meaning anyone can be ‘an accountant’. This has resulted in lots of unqualified accountants completing what are perceived to be ‘simple’ tax returns, making unwarranted mistakes, and providing tax advice that is often wrong and costly when HMRC make their enquires. 

It is important to note the difference between a tax advisor and accountant. A tax advisor is qualified or has the necessary experience to provide tax advice, they are not accountants. Accountants, many of which are often unqualified and are generally ‘bookkeepers’, are trained or qualified to produce accounts. Most accountants don’t have the skills or knowledge to provide expert, money saving, tax advice. I strongly recommend that you check your accountants credentials and qualifications to provide you with tax advice.

Everyone’s circumstances will be different, so the advice provided should be tailored to you. 

Tax advisors and more specifically tax advisors that specialise in property related taxes, will have an in-depth knowledge of all the relevant tax legislation and case law. This ensures you will pay the right amount of tax and not be at risk of penalties and interest charges for incorrect tax returns.

Working with a qualified tax advisor (CTA or ATT qualified) will ensure you are compliant with tax legislation, reduce your tax liabilities and ensure you have the right tax structure to support your growth and provide the flexibility to pass on your assets to your dependents tax efficiently. 

At Zeal we have a team of tax experts. We make it very clear to our clients that we are not accountants and can only support them with their taxes. This ensures we are only giving the advice we are qualified to provide and that we can give our clients the best service possible.

With the growth of online accountancy software, such as Xero, Quickbooks, Free Agent etc the need for a general accountant is diminishing. As a result, the industry is already seeing a growth in tax consultancy firms like Zeal. Obtaining tax advice from tax experts is crucial to ensure you pay the right tax and are not faced with unexpected tax bills.

Good tax advice will pay for itself!”