There are ways that you can claim tax relief for your mortgage interest.
Qualifying Loan Interest Relief
Often when you start a business you will need to borrow money personally to lend to your new company or buy shares.
You might borrow by increasing your mortgage.
You may be entitled to claim tax relief for interest paid on a loan or alternative finance arrangement used to buy:
- shares in, or to fund, a ‘close’ company (contact your HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) office if you are not sure if the company is ‘close’)
- an interest in, or to fund, a partnership
- plant or machinery for your work (but make sure you do not claim this interest twice, you will do if you have already deducted it as a business expense)
If you receive a low-interest or interest free loan from your employer for one of the above purposes you may be able to claim relief for any benefit taxable on you.
This is called ‘Qualifying loan interest relief’, HMRC have a helpsheet which gives further details HS340
Property Investors/Buy to Let
At the moment property investors can also offset mortgage relief against their profits but the rules are changing.
2017/18 75% of the interest can be claimed in full and 25% will get relief at 20%
2018/19 50% of the interest can be claimed in full and 50% will get relief at 20%
2019/20 25% of the interest can be claimed in full and 75% will get relief at 20%
2020/21 100% will get only 20% relief
For a 20% tax payer that’s fine but for higher rate taxpayer its a disaster that will lead to them paying a lot more tax
These rules will not apply to Companies, Companies will continue to claim full relief.
How much can you borrow?
In summary if you re-mortgage above the original market value and you own the property personally and take out the cash you will not be able to claim relief from interest on the part above the original market value
If however you borrow to invest in another property that is ok.
