Rental business – post cessation transactions

There are special rules for the taxation of post-cessation transactions after a trade has ceased. The legislation clearly states that the person who receives or is entitled to the post-cessation receipt is the person who is subject to Income Tax or Corporation Tax on the income. This does not have to be the same person who carried on the original trade.

HMRC manuals are clear that a receipt, which arises from a property rental business after it has ceased, is taxable under special rules; provided, of course, the taxpayer has not already included that receipt in the computation of their rental business profits. The tax payer may also be able to claim relief for post-cessation expenses for which they have had no relief. One example might be the cost of background heating for empty premises to keep down condensation and so maintain the value of the property for later sale.

A claim for post-cessation property relief is possible if a customer ceases to carry on a UK property business and within 7 years makes a ‘qualifying payment’ or a ‘qualifying event’ occurs in relation to a debt of the business.

A claim to relief must be made on or before the first anniversary of the 31 January following the end of the tax year in which the payment is made.