Welsh government increases charge on some residential property purchases
The Welsh government published its Budget for 2025/26 last week. This included a number of tax announcements. What are the key points?
Wales has a devolved government with limited powers to make and amend tax law. One tax that is fully devolved is land transaction tax - the equivalent of stamp duty land tax for land and buildings physically located in Wales. The 2025/26 Welsh Budget included the announcement that higher rates, i.e. those that apply to purchases of additional dwellings by an individual (or any purchase by a company), will increase by 1% with effect from 11 December 2024. The rates, which apply to the consideration at the date of completion, are now as follows:
|
First £180,000 |
5% |
|
Next £70,000 |
8.5% |
|
Next £150,000 |
10% |
|
Next £350,000 |
12.5% |
|
Next £750,000 |
15% |
|
Remainder over £1,500,000 |
17% |
No change has been made to the Welsh rate of income tax meaning that Welsh taxpayers remain aligned with the main UK rates for at least another year.
Related Topics
-
Why is HMRC checking PVA more often?
Your business imports goods and accounts for VAT by applying postponed VAT accounting (PVA) on its returns. HMRC is scrutinising returns and issuing large assessments in some cases. What can you do to reduce the risk of getting it wrong?
-
HMRC text or scam? Check before you act
HMRC is contacting some taxpayers by text this week about overdue Self Assessment liabilities and is also sending updates about VAT registration applications. At the same time, it has expanded its guidance on spotting fake HMRC messages on social media. How can you tell whether a message is genuine?
-
Electronic VAT return and payment due