Managing property finances in England has never been more complex. Between shifting HMRC rules, Capital Gains Tax changes, and the gradual phasing out of mortgage interest relief, the landscape is demanding more from property owners than ever before. Many landlords and investors are paying more tax than they need to—simply because they don’t have the right advice in place. That’s where a qualified property tax advisor makes a real difference. At Gowin Accountants Ltd, we work with landlords, buy-to-let investors, and property owners across England, helping them build smarter tax savings plans that are fully compliant and tailored to their individual circumstances. Based in Basingstoke and serving clients nationwide, our team brings over 10 years of experience in business and financial management to every client relationship.
This guide covers the key areas where a property tax advisor can save you money, what to look for when choosing one, and how Gowin Accountants Ltd approaches property tax planning for clients throughout England.
What Does a Property Tax Advisor Actually Do?
A property tax advisor is a qualified accountant or tax specialist who focuses on the tax obligations and planning opportunities related to property ownership. This includes:
- Rental income tax: Ensuring your self-assessment tax return accurately reflects allowable deductions against your rental income
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) planning: Advising on timing of disposals, use of annual exemptions, and relief entitlements such as Private Residence Relief
- Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT): Reviewing transactions to ensure you’re not overpaying, and identifying potential reliefs
- Inheritance Tax planning: Structuring property ownership in a way that protects your estate for future generations
- Company vs. personal ownership: Assessing whether holding property through a limited company is more tax-efficient for your situation
The right advisor doesn’t just file your returns. They proactively identify opportunities to reduce your liability—legally and effectively.
What Are the Most Common Property Tax Mistakes in England?
Many property owners unknowingly leave money on the table. These are the mistakes a good property tax advisor will catch and correct:
Failing to Claim All Allowable Expenses
Landlords can deduct a wide range of expenses from their rental income, including letting agent fees, maintenance and repairs, insurance premiums, and professional fees such as accountancy costs. Many people miss less obvious deductions, such as travel to inspect properties or subscription costs for property management software.
Misunderstanding the Mortgage Interest Relief Rules
Since April 2020, individual landlords in England can no longer deduct mortgage interest costs directly from rental income. Instead, a 20% tax credit applies. For higher-rate taxpayers, this change significantly increases the effective tax rate on rental profits. A property tax advisor can model how this affects your overall position and explore whether incorporation into a limited company makes financial sense.
Ignoring Capital Gains Tax Planning
CGT on residential property disposals is currently charged at 18% for basic-rate taxpayers and 24% for higher-rate taxpayers (as of the 2024/25 tax year, following changes announced in the October 2024 Autumn Budget). Without proper planning ahead of a sale, you may pay far more CGT than necessary.
Not Using the Correct Property Ownership Structure
Holding properties jointly with a spouse or civil partner can allow both individuals to use their personal allowances and basic-rate bands, significantly reducing the combined tax bill. A property tax advisor will review your ownership structure and advise whether adjustments would be beneficial.
How Can a Property Tax Advisor Help Landlords in England?
For buy-to-let landlords specifically, the tax picture has grown considerably more complicated over the past decade. Gowin Accountants Ltd works with landlords across England to address these challenges through structured, proactive tax planning.
Key areas of support include:
- Self-assessment tax return preparation: Ensuring rental income, expenses, and reliefs are correctly reported to HMRC
- Portfolio reviews: Assessing how your current ownership structure compares to alternative arrangements such as limited company ownership
- Succession planning: Advising on how to pass property wealth to the next generation in a tax-efficient way
- Furnished holiday let compliance: Navigating the specific tax rules that apply to short-term rental properties (noting the abolition of the Furnished Holiday Lettings regime from April 2025)
The goal is always the same: to ensure you keep more of what you earn, within the rules set by HMRC.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Property Tax Advisor?
Not all accountants have the same depth of experience in property taxation. When evaluating your options, consider the following:
- Specialist knowledge: Look for a firm with demonstrable experience in property tax, not just general accountancy
- Proactive communication: Your advisor should flag changes in tax law before they affect you, not after
- Fixed, transparent fees: Hidden costs are a red flag. Look for firms offering clear, upfront pricing
- Accessibility: Same-day responses and dedicated account management make a practical difference when questions arise
- Verified reviews: Check Google and other platforms for real client feedback
Gowin Accountants Ltd is rated 5.0 out of 5 across 92 Google reviews, with clients consistently highlighting the team’s responsiveness, clarity of communication, and practical expertise. One client noted: “They handle my property taxes… Everything is done online, which makes the whole process really efficient—even without meeting them in person.”
Start Your Smarter Tax Savings Plan with Gowin Accountants
Effective property tax planning isn’t a one-off exercise. Tax rules change, portfolios grow, and personal circumstances shift. A structured, ongoing relationship with a specialist property tax advisor ensures your tax position remains optimised year after year.
Gowin Accountants Ltd provides a fully inclusive, fixed-fee accountancy package covering all your tax and accounting needs—with no hidden costs. Every client receives a dedicated accountant, unlimited support, and 24/7 access to Xero cloud accounting software. Whether you own one rental property or manage a sizeable portfolio, the team can help you build a smarter, more tax-efficient plan.
To speak with a member of the Gowin Accountants team, call 01256 578106.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a property tax advisor and do I need one?
A property tax advisor is a qualified accountant who specialises in the tax rules applying to property ownership, rental income, and disposals. If you own rental property in England, a property tax advisor can identify deductions and reliefs you may be missing, and help you plan ahead to reduce your overall tax liability.
How much tax can a landlord save by working with a property tax advisor?
Savings vary depending on portfolio size, ownership structure, and individual tax position. However, correctly claiming all allowable expenses, optimising ownership structure, and planning Capital Gains Tax disposals can each produce meaningful reductions in the total tax payable. A review with a qualified advisor is the most effective way to quantify potential savings for your specific situation.
Is it better to hold rental property personally or through a limited company?
This depends on several factors, including your income tax rate, the number of properties you own, your long-term intentions for the portfolio, and whether you plan to reinvest profits or extract them. For higher-rate taxpayers with larger portfolios, a limited company structure can offer significant tax advantages. Gowin Accountants Ltd assesses this question on a case-by-case basis as part of their property tax advisory service.
Can Gowin Accountants Ltd help with property tax if I’m based outside Basingstoke?
Yes. Although Gowin Accountants Ltd is based in Basingstoke, the firm provides property tax advisory and accountancy services to clients across the whole of England. All services are available remotely, with communication handled via email, phone, and video call.
What does Gowin Accountants Ltd charge for property tax advice?
Gowin Accountants Ltd operates on a transparent, fixed-fee basis with no hidden costs. To get a tailored quote based on your circumstances, visit gowinaccountants.co.uk or call 01256 578106 to speak with the team directly.