STOP PRESS: The remittance basis is abolished from 6 April 2025, although this only applies to foreign income and gains arising on or after that date. The remittance basis rules still apply to unremitted income and gains arising before that date but remitted later. The legislation is included in FA 2025. For more details, see the Abolition of the remittance basis from 2025/26 guidance note.
This guidance note covers, in outline, the UK tax consequences of deriving income from land or property overseas.
It looks at the interaction with overseas taxes, and considers the UK tax treatment of let property, overseas farms, woodlands, and the use of companies to hold foreign holiday property. Furnished holiday lets situated abroad are covered in the Furnished holiday lets guidance note although it should be noted that the furnished holiday let tax regime was abolished from April 2025. This guidance note does not cover capital gains, VAT or inheritance tax, except incidentally.
For more on capital gains tax, see the Disposal of land ― individuals and Assignment
Income tax losses ― overviewIncome tax losses can arise due to a number of reasons, but not all losses can be relieved against total income and some losses can only be set against certain types of component income. The table below is a summary of the main reliefs for income tax losses.Summary of
Substantial shareholding exemption ― overviewThe substantial shareholdings exemption (SSE) provides a complete exemption from the liability to corporation tax on the gains generated from qualifying disposals of shares and interests in shares by qualifying companies. No claim is required. Provided
Withholding taxIntroductionUK tax must be withheld on UK payments including:•interest•royalties•rental incomeUK withholding tax may be reduced under the provisions of a double tax treaty (DTT). Prior to 1 June 2021, payments of interest and royalties made to EU resident associated companies were