From 6 April 2020 there is a major change in the reporting and payment of CGT on residential property disposals. From that date, it will be necessary to report the disposal of the property within 30 days of completion of the disposal and pay CGT on account to HMRC.
This will be a significant acceleration of the payment date as CGT is currently payable with income tax on 31 January following the end of the tax year. Hence, where completion of a property disposal takes place on 1 April 2020 CGT will be due 31 January 2021. If however completion were delayed to 1 May 2020, CGT would need to be paid on 31 May 2020.
Note that the new 30 day reporting and payment obligation will not apply where no tax is payable such as the disposal of the taxpayers private residence.
As with all of our tax tips and web pages this information is necessarily summarised and of a general nature. If you would like detailed specific advice please contact us.