How to Save Property Tax

New 2026/27 Edition

By Carl Bayley BSc FCA

How to Save Property Tax is widely regarded as the tax bible for property investors.

Written in plain English with numerous easy to follow examples, this guide tells you absolutely everything you need to know about paying less income tax, capital gains tax and stamp duty land tax.

We launched How to Save Property Tax in 2002 and have been updating and expanding it ever since.

This brand new 2026/27 edition (published January 2026) is completely up to date with all the latest tax changes and has also been significantly revised.

The guide is essential reading for:

• ALL property investors and landlords
• Second home owners
• Anyone selling property and wanting to pay less capital gains tax
• ALL letting agents, accountants, solicitors and professional advisers

For those selling property the guide tells you everything you need to know about capital gains tax, including numerous tried and tested tax planning techniques.

For landlords renting out property the guide covers all the expenses you can claim against your rental income.

What Information is Contained in the Guide?

Subjects covered include:

Paying Less Income Tax

• Tax changes in the November 2025 Budget and other recent announcements.
• The increase in property income tax rates from 6th April 2027.
• ALL the expenses landlords can claim against their rental income.
• The latest news on Making Tax Digital (starting April 2026).
• The pros and cons of using the cash basis.
• How unmarried joint owners (couples, siblings, parents and children) can save thousands in tax.
• A detailed look at the tax relief restriction for interest costs (Section 24).
• Motoring expenses, including the latest extension for electric cars and changes to double cab pick-ups.
• How to claim repairs spending that a layperson would think are improvements.
• How to maximise your claims for replacement furniture, fittings, equipment, etc.
• How to get more tax relief for rent arrears.
• All the administrative expenditure you can claim.
• How to claim a big home office tax deduction.
• How to deduct the cost of seminars, courses and books (like this one!)
• How to get the taxman to pay towards your travel costs including flights, hotels and restaurants.
• How to amend previous tax returns if you’ve forgotten to claim expenses.
• Furnished holiday lets: How to maximise the last few remaining benefits.
• A new chapter on what happens when landlords provide additional services or property transactions are deemed to be trading or property development.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

• A plain English guide to how capital gains tax is calculated.
• All of the latest capital gains tax changes.
• Guidance on when property capital gains might be subject to income tax instead of CGT.
• The benefits of transferring property to a spouse or buying in joint names.
• How to use your children to save thousands in capital gains tax.
• Everything you need to know about principal private residence relief.
• How to use the temporary periods of absence rules to make massive savings.
• How to use main residence elections to reduce or even eliminate the CGT on second homes.
• A section on part disposals, including how one taxpayer saves over £20,000!
• A new section on the reliefs available to those who own their business trading premises.
• How to use a trust to get extra tax-free capital growth on residential property.
• Paying capital gains tax: the 60-day reporting system explained.

Stamp Duty Land Tax, VAT & Other Taxes

• A plain English guide to all the stamp duty issues facing property investors.
• The 5% SDLT surcharge on rental properties and second homes.
• When using the non-residential rates can produce an overall saving.
• How to transfer property into a partnership to save SDLT on transfers to your spouse/relatives.
• The latest and proposed changes to LBTT in Scotland and LTT in Wales.
• How landlords can secure state pension entitlement without paying significant national insurance.
• VAT planning for commercial property, conversions, renovations and listed buildings.
• The new Visitor Levy for landlords renting out holiday accommodation across the UK.
• The Mansion Tax coming in April 2028 and what it means for landlords with high value properties.

All in all, this guide tells you pretty much everything you need to know about tax if you are a landlord, second home owner, or own any other type of property business.

Click here to read the full contents listing and first section of the book