Category: General

The UK Government’s proposed “mansion tax” – an annual surcharge on high-value homes – is set to shake up the property market. Official estimates suggest it will knock around 2.5% off the value of affected properties, equating to a loss of £50,000 on a £2 million home and £125,000 on a £5 million property. This highlights the wider impact of the mansion tax on property values, buyer behaviour, and long-term homeowner equity. 

As tax experts, we break down what this new levy means, who it affects, how it works, and how it could impact house prices and homeowners. We’ll also outline steps you can take to prepare and how our team at Apex Accountants can help you navigate these changes. 

What Is the “Mansion Tax” and Why Is It Being Introduced?

In the 2025 Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a high-value council tax surcharge – quickly dubbed a “mansion tax” – on expensive homes. This isn’t a one-time tax on sale or purchase; it’s an annual charge added to council tax bills for properties above a certain value. The policy’s goal is to address perceived unfairness in the council tax system. For example, a £10 million townhouse in Mayfair currently incurs about the same or less council tax than a modest family home in other parts of England. The surcharge aims to ensure owners of the highest-value homes contribute more, narrowing this gap.

According to the Treasury, the tax will affect fewer than 1% of properties, targeting only the highest-value homes, so ordinary families in typical homes will not pay it. By targeting luxury properties (mostly in London and the South East), the Government expects to raise roughly £400 million a year by 2029-30. The revenue will go to central government (for funding local services) rather than staying with local councils.

Why introduce it now? 

With growing pressure on public finances, the government views the mansion tax as a politically easier way to raise revenue without raising income tax or VAT. It uses existing council tax systems for administrative simplicity and sends a clear message that owners of high-value property should contribute more. In short, fiscal pressure and a fairness argument drive the policy: higher-value homes should pay more into the system.

The Impact of Mansion Tax and How Much Will It Cost?

Homeowners (or buyers) with properties valued over £2 million in England will be subject to the new surcharge from April 2028. The mansion tax on homeowners is tiered into four bands based on property value:

• £2,500 per year for properties valued at £2 million–£2.5 million.
• £3,500 per year for properties worth £2.5 million–£3.5 million.
• £5,000 per year for properties worth £3.5 million–£5 million.
• £7,500 per year for properties over £5 million.
  

(For context, the highest band charge of £7,500 a year is roughly equivalent to adding £625 per month to the property’s council tax.) These amounts will increase annually with inflation (CPI) to maintain their real value over time.

How will properties be valued? 

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will carry out a targeted valuation exercise, using 2026 market prices, to identify homes worth more than £2 million. Since England has not had a full council tax revaluation since 1991, this exercise will effectively introduce new valuation bands at the top end. The government is still developing the valuation process and implementation details and has confirmed it will consult on valuations, appeals, exemptions, and support schemes before the policy takes effect.

Who pays and how? 

The surcharge will be added to your normal council tax bill and collected by local authorities, but it’s a national tax (the funds go to central government). 

• If you’re a homeowner-occupier, you’ll pay it alongside your council tax.
• If you rent out a high-value property, note that council tax is typically paid by the resident tenant – so a tenant in a £2m+ home would face a higher bill, which could indirectly affect landlords in the form of tenant expectations or required rent adjustments.

Geographic impact: 

The vast majority of £2 million+ homes are in London and the South-East. By one estimate, over 60% of £2m+ properties are in London. Certain boroughs and prime neighbourhoods (Mayfair, Kensington, etc.) have a high concentration of such homes. 

This implies that the tax will primarily affect homeowners in London. Nationally, only about 0.4% of homes sold in recent years topped £2 million, but in London that share is higher (2–3% of sales and up to 78% of listings in uber-prime areas like Mayfair). In other words, this policy is laser-targeted at the upper end of the market, largely in affluent London postcodes.

Impact of Mansion Tax on Property Values and the Housing Market

The big question for homeowners is how this “mansion tax” will affect property values and the wider market. The Treasury’s own costing assumptions project an average 2.5% reduction in The surcharge will affect the prices of properties. In practical terms, sellers and buyers will factor in the new annual cost, likely lowering what buyers are willing to pay. 

A 2.5% drop translates to around £50k off a £2 million home’s value (and about £125k off a £5 million home). Some analysts believe the impact could be even greater over time – essentially, the market may “price in” the cumulative cost of paying an extra few thousand pounds in tax every year. A £5 million house could ultimately slump by up to £150k–£375k in value (3%–7.5%) once buyers account for these future tax bills.

“Price bunching” at the thresholds: 

We may also see strategic pricing behaviours around the band cut-offs. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expects many homeowners will try to keep their valuations just under the £2 million or £5 million thresholds to avoid higher bands, leading to a clustering of prices right below each trigger. 

For example, a property that might be worth £2.05 million in an open market might be listed or valued at £1.99 million instead to stay under the tax line. Similarly, we could see many homes valued at £4.95 million instead of £5.1 million, among other examples. This bunching effect means some owners might accept slightly lower sale prices or adjust asking prices to dodge a higher annual charge. 

Over time, such behaviour reduces the number of properties that end up paying the tax or are in the top bands, which, according to the OBR, will slightly reduce the tax revenue compared to a scenario with no behavioural change.

Broader market confidence: 

The mere anticipation of this policy has already had a cooling effect on the prime property market. In late 2025, reports indicated that high-end London prices were softening (around 4% down year-on-year in prime areas) amid rumours of a mansion tax. Both buyers and sellers became more cautious: some sales were delayed or put on hold pending the budget announcement, and there was even a surge in interest for luxury rentals as an alternative. 

Looking ahead, estate agents expect the surcharge to prompt some owners, particularly older, asset-rich but cash-poor retirees, to consider downsizing to avoid the extra annual cost. However, when compared with more radical property tax proposals, such as capital gains tax on main homes or a full 1% annual value tax, this council tax supplement remains a relatively moderate measure. It is unlikely to freeze the market. Demand and price growth should continue, though at a slower pace at the top end.

Stamp duty and other knock-on effects: 

An intriguing side effect of high-value prices dipping is that the government could collect less in stamp duty (SDLT) on those property sales. Stamp duty is charged on the sale price of homes, so if that price is lower, the tax is lower. A real estate firm warned that a 2.5% price decline in the £2m+ market could reduce stamp duty receipts by about £73 million. 

The OBR likewise highlighted that lower prices and potentially fewer transactions at the top end will dent stamp duty and even capital gains tax revenues in the short term. 

In fact, the OBR’s forecast indicates that the policy will cost the Exchequer money in the initial years due to lost stamp duty and capital gains tax, even though the surcharge doesn’t start until 2028 and may depress activity sooner, before the new council tax revenue increases. This raises a valid question: will the mansion tax actually achieve its intended fiscal boost, or could it backfire initially?

Debates over the new Mansion Tax

Critics of the policy argue that it “attacks aspiration” and punishes those who have worked diligently to afford expensive homes. They point to the lost home equity for owners and the possibility that London’s attractiveness to high-net-worth buyers could diminish. International investors may be deterred, opting to invest in cities without such recurring property levies. On the other hand, supporters counter that the impact is modest and largely confined to those most able to pay. 

The OBR still forecasts house prices in general to keep rising modestly each year (around 2.5% annual growth from 2026). So while affected £2m+ properties may grow in value more slowly than they would have without the tax, they aren’t expected to collapse. 

In nominal terms, these homes could still be appreciated— just 2.5% lower than they would have been. Once inflation is considered, that likely means a small real-terms decline in high-end prices in the next few years, even as the broader market inches up.

How to Prepare For Mansion Tax On Homeowners

If you own a property that’s potentially subject to the mansion tax (or you’re looking to buy one), it’s wise to start planning ahead:

Check your property’s likely valuation: 

The threshold is £2 million (as of 2026 values). If your home is already around this value or higher, assume it will fall into the surcharge unless you have reason to believe otherwise. For properties just under £2m, keep in mind general price inflation could push some into scope by 2026. However, remember that valuations will use 2026 market prices – it’s not automatically based on what you paid or current list prices, and the process will involve official estimation. Be prepared to have your home assessed; you may have the opportunity to appeal if you strongly disagree with a valuation (the government is designing an appeals system as part of the rollout.

Budget for the annual charge: 

£2,500 (or more) per year is significant. If you’re an affected homeowner, factor the surcharge into your future housing costs from 2028 onwards. For example, if your property is valued at £3 million, plan on an extra £3,500 annually on top of regular council tax. If you’re on a fixed income (like some retirees), consider how this legislation might affect your cash flow. 

The Government has indicated there will be a deferral or support scheme for those who are “asset-rich but income-”poor”—meaning if you truly cannot pay the surcharge from income, you might be able to defer it (possibly until the property is sold). Details on this haven’t been finalised, but it’s on the horizon. Keep an eye on announcements if you think you might need this relief.

Consider timing and strategy for transactions: 

If you were planning to sell a high-value home in the next couple of years, be aware that the market psychology is changing. Some buyers may try to negotiate prices down, citing the future tax, especially as 2028 draws closer. 

Conversely, if you’re a buyer, you might find a bit more negotiating power on £2m+ properties, but also remember you’ll be shouldering the ongoing tax if you proceed. If possible, there could be a case for completing transactions before 2028 to avoid any last-minute rushes or pricing quirks around the implementation date. That said, avoid drastic moves solely for tax reasons – it’s one factor among many in a property decision.

Downsizing or moving considerations: 

As mentioned, one effect might be that owning a costly home is slightly less attractive than before. If you have a large property and were already considering downsizing (for lifestyle or inheritance reasons), the impending surcharge is another nudge to weigh that option. 

Selling a £3m house and moving to a £1.5m house, for instance, would free up capital and avoid an annual tax hit. However, you must consider transaction costs (such as stamp duty on your new purchase) and other factors; don’t let the tail (tax) completely wag the dog.

Stay informed: 

This policy will continue to be refined. There are open questions about how valuations will be updated over time, specifically whether there will be revaluations every few years. How will new builds or improvements be handled, and will any exemptions apply (for example, for historic properties, charitable trusts, etc.)? and how the money will be used. 

The government has said it will consult on these points. Make sure you stay up-to-date through reputable news or directly through gov.uk announcements. If you receive a valuation notice or consultation letter, please read it carefully and respond as necessary.

How We Can Help You Navigate the New Mansion Tax in UK

We have extensive experience advising property owners and high-net-worth individuals on tax matters. If you’re concerned about the impact of the mansion tax on your finances or plans, our team is here to help. We offer a range of services to guide you through these changes:

• Personal Tax Planning: 

We’ll assess how the new surcharge interacts with your overall tax situation and long-term goals. Our experts can help identify opportunities to mitigate the tax burden, such as timing transactions or exploring any relief that becomes available.

Property Tax Advisory: 

Beyond the mansion tax itself, owning a high-value property can have other tax implications (e.g., Stamp Duty Land Tax, Capital Gains Tax when selling, Inheritance Tax considerations, etc.). We provide comprehensive advice on property-related taxes, ensuring you understand the full picture and taking steps to optimise your position legally.

Financial Planning & Cash Flow Management: 

An extra annual bill can affect your cash flow. We can work with you to project and plan for these costs in your budget. If you’re largely asset-rich but worried about paying an annual charge, we can discuss strategies like equity releases or deferral programs to manage payments and weigh the pros and cons of options like downsizing from a financial perspective.

Council Tax Band Review and Support: 

If you feel that the surcharge has overvalued your property, we can assist you in navigating the appeals process. Our team stays abreast of the consultation outcomes – including any deferral schemes or exemptions – so we can advise you on eligibility and applications for those support measures.

Ongoing Compliance and Updates: 

Tax rules evolve. We provide ongoing support to ensure you remain compliant with all property tax obligations. We will inform our clients about the release of new guidelines, such as the precise procedures for valuation and payment. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your tax affairs are in order, and no surprises will catch you off guard.

Conclusion

The introduction of a mansion tax via higher council tax bands indicates an important shift for the top end of the UK property market. While it aims to promote fairness and raise revenue by making luxury homeowners contribute more, it will also have ripple effects on property values and owner behaviour. 

If you own a high-value home, you may see a modest fall in its market value and will need to plan for higher tax bills in future years. With careful planning and professional advice, you can manage these effects. House prices should continue to rise overall, but affected properties are likely to grow more slowly than they otherwise would have. In effect, the market may absorb a one-off value adjustment of around 2–3% in return for a new ongoing tax.

As with any major tax change, it’s crucial to stay informed and seek professional guidance. Every homeowner’s situation is unique. By understanding the specifics of the mansion tax and preparing accordingly, you can make informed decisions – whether that means staying put and budgeting for the surcharge, appealing a valuation, or restructuring your property holdings. At the end of the day, this policy is just one piece of your financial puzzle. With the right strategy, you can protect your interests and adapt to this new era of property taxation. You are welcome to reach out to Apex Accountants for expert help in navigating the mansion tax and all it entails. We’re here to ensure you remain a step ahead, turning potential challenges into manageable aspects of your overall financial plan.

A recent Supreme Court decision examined in some detail HMRC’s powers in relation to issuing a discovery assessment. HMRC generally use discovery assessments where the statutory time limit for looking into a return has expired.

If certain conditions are satisfied, then HMRC can make a discovery assessment:

• 4 years from the end of the year of assessment in which the further liability to tax arises where the loss of tax is not due to careless or deliberate behaviour
• 6 years from the end of the year of assessment in which the further liability to tax arises where the loss of tax is due to careless behaviour of the relevant person.
• 20 years from the end of the year of assessment in which the further liability to tax arises where the loss of tax is due to deliberate behaviour of the relevant person.

The case in question centred on two main issues. Firstly, whether there had been a deliberate inaccuracy in a 2007-8 tax return enabling HMRC to issue a discovery assessment within the extended 20-year limit and secondly, whether HMRC had made a valid discovery.

The First-tier Tribunal (FTT), the Upper Tribunal (UT) and the Court of Appeal all decided that HMRC could not assess the taxpayer. The Supreme Court held that the interpretation of the tax return by HMRC did not properly consider the whole document and that there was no inaccuracy. Commenting further, the Judges opined that even if there was, they would not have been satisfied that such an inaccuracy was deliberate. The Supreme Court also rejected the notion of 'staleness' in respect of the discovery assessments.

The low-emission vehicles plug-in grant can help you save up to £2,500 on the purchase price of new low-emission vehicles. The scheme was first launched in 2011 and is available across the UK with dealers using the grant towards the price of eligible new cars. The paperwork for the grant application is handled by the dealer. The scheme is open to qualifying purchases by private individuals and businesses.

HMRC publishes a list of qualifying cars and only cars listed are eligible for the grant. There are also grants available for specified motorcycles, mopeds, small vans, large vans, taxis and trucks.

The grant is available for cars with CO2 emissions lower than 50g/km and a 'zero-emission' range of at least 112km. To qualify for the grant, the cars must have an 'on the road' price cap of less than £35,000. This means that many popular environmentally friendly electric cars are not available under the scheme as their sale price exceeds the price cap.

There are separate criteria for other vehicle classes. This includes motorcycles, mopeds, small vans, large vans, taxis, small trucks and large trucks. For example, for motorcycles that have no CO2 emissions and can travel at least 50km between charges.

The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) was established in July 2010, to provide advice to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on simplifying the UK tax system. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury has recently written an extensive letter to the OTS regarding the conclusions of the first five-year review and to respond to the OTS reviews into Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

The letter confirms that after careful consideration, the government has decided not to make any changes to the IHT lifetime gifts rules at the current time. It was also confirmed that changes to the design and operation of CGT will be kept under review.

The government has accepted the following five recommendations from the OTS report on the technical and administrative issues with CGT:

1. Integrate the different ways of reporting and paying CGT into the Single Customer Account. This is part of a long-term strategy.
2. Extending the reporting and payment deadline for the UK Property return to 60 days. This has been completed.
3. Extending the ‘no gain no loss’ window on separation and divorce. This will be subject to consultation over the course of the next year.
4. Expanding the specific Rollover Relief rules which apply where land and buildings are acquired under Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO). This will be subject to a final consultation. 
5. Various improvements in CGT guidance on specific areas. HMRC has already completed a review and expansion of the guidance on the UK Property Tax Return and will proceed in other areas identified in the OTS report.

The government will also consider five other recommendations by the OTS including the treatment of separate share pools, the practical operation of Private Residence Relief nominations and a review of the rules for enterprise investment schemes.

At the Autumn Budget 2021, it was announced that there would be a dedicated day this Autumn where the government would set out further plans to continue building a modern, simple and effective tax system. This 'day' was on 30 November 2021, and referred to by HMRC as the aptly named, Tax Administration and Maintenance Day.

A number of documents were published including:

• An update on reforms to Small Brewers Relief.
• A technical consultation setting out further detail on the conclusions to the government’s review of business rates.
• A report on Research and Development (R&D) tax reliefs, providing further details on announcements made at the Budget which included refocusing relief in the UK, targeting abuse, and supporting innovation by expanding qualifying expenditure to capture cloud and data costs. 
• A Call for Evidence on reforming registration for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) to give taxpayers a better understanding of their tax obligations and support available to them.
• Publishing a summary of responses to the Call for Evidence on the Tax Administration Framework Review (TAFR), including plans to reform several areas of the tax administrations system to simplify and modernise it.
• A Call for Evidence on the role umbrella companies play in the labour market to improve our understanding of the sector.
• Publishing the first five-year review of the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) launched in March 2021 to examine the effectiveness of the OTS.
• A consultation on potential changes to the Stamp Duty Land Tax reliefs for mixed-property and multiple dwellings to ensure they operate fairly and to reduce the scope for misuse.

The introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) has been delayed by one year until April 2024. This change was announced in a Written Statement to Parliament. The reason for the delay was given as combination of the issues many UK businesses and their representatives are facing as a result of the pandemic as well as feedback from interested parties.

MTD for ITSA will fundamentally change the way businesses, the self-employed and landlords interact with HMRC. The regime will require businesses and individuals to register, file, pay and update their information using an online tax account. From April 2024, the rules will apply to taxpayers who file Income Tax Self-Assessment tax returns with business or property income over £10,000 annually.

General partnerships will not be required to join MTD for ITSA until a year later, in April 2025. The date other types of partnerships will be required to join will be confirmed in the future. The new system of penalties for the late filing and late payment of tax for ITSA will also be aligned with the new MTD dates.

Some businesses and agents are already keeping digital records and providing updates to HMRC as part of a live pilot to test and develop the MTD for ITSA. The pilot is not affected by the delay and will be extended in 2022-23 in preparation for larger scale testing in 2023-24. Under the pilot, qualifying landlords and sole traders (or their agents) can use software to keep digital records and send Income Tax updates instead of filing a Self-Assessment tax return.

The MTD regime started in April 2019 for VAT purposes only when businesses with a turnover above the VAT threshold were mandated to keep their records digitally and provide their VAT return information to HMRC using MTD compatible software. From April 2022, MTD will be extended to all VAT registered businesses with turnover below the VAT threshold of £85,000.

HMRC is warning new students starting university that they could be targeted by scammers trying to steal their money and personal details. As new students start the academic year, they can be particularly vulnerable to tax scams. This is especially prevalent if they have a part-time job and are new to interacting with HMRC. This year, there is a significant increase in the numbers of students attending university and means that more young people may choose to take on part-time work. 

Many tax scams are directly targeting university students. Fraudulent emails and texts will regularly include links which take students to websites where their information can be stolen. Between April and May this year, 18- to 24-year olds reported more than 5,000 phone scams to HMRC.

These scams often offer fake tax refunds which HMRC does not offer by SMS or email.  Students can also be approached to act as ‘money mules’, with offers of various rewards for transferring funds through their own, genuine financial accounts, inadvertently laundering criminal funds.

Commenting on the warning, HMRC’s Head of Cyber Security Operations at HMRC, said: 

‘Our advice is to be wary if you are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or personal information. We see high numbers of fraudsters contacting people claiming to be from HMRC. If in doubt, our advice is – do not reply directly to anything suspicious, but contact HMRC through GOV.UK straight away and search GOV.UK for HMRC scams’ .

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has set out the government’s autumn and winter plan for managing Covid. 

The government is aiming to sustain the progress made and prepare the country for future challenges, while ensuring the National Health Service (NHS) does not come under unsustainable pressure.

The government plans to achieve this by:

• Building our defences through pharmaceutical interventions: vaccines, antivirals and disease modifying therapeutics.
• Identifying and isolating positive cases to limit transmission: Test, Trace and Isolate.
• Supporting the NHS and social care: managing pressures and recovering services.
• Advising people on how to protect themselves and others: clear guidance and communications.
• Pursuing an international approach: helping to vaccinate the world and managing risks at the border.

This is known as Plan A. There are of course a number of variables that could change the expected outlook including the outbreak of new variants and other seasonal respiratory diseases such as the flu.

If the data suggests the NHS is likely to come under unsustainable pressure, the government has prepared a Plan B for England. It is hoped that this plan will not be required but the plan contains certain measures which can help control transmission of the virus while seeking to minimise economic and social impacts. 

This includes:

• Communicating clearly and urgently to the public that the level of risk has increased, and with it the need to behave more cautiously.
• Introducing mandatory vaccine-only COVID-status certification in certain settings.
• Legally mandating face coverings in certain settings.