Real estate tax
Strategic tax advice at the outset can help to ensure that any transaction or restructuring runs smoothly and that there are no unplanned delays or forks in the road. Every corporate or real estate transaction comes with its unique tax implications. Our Tax team is dedicated to helping you optimise your structure with practical solutions to maximise allowances, mitigate liabilities, and ensure your tax affairs are in perfect order.
We provide strategic advice on property investment, development, finance, and funds, covering direct and indirect taxes like Stamp Duty Land Tax, and VAT, and business rates. Our clients range from institutional and private investors to developers and entrepreneurs, both in the UK and internationally. We collaborate closely with our Real Estate and Private Wealth teams from the outset.
When it comes to real estate strategy—whether acquiring, disposing, leasing, developing, constructing, or investing in commercial property—numerous tax issues arise. Our expertise in respect of property taxation covers:
- VAT on purchases and development
- Stamp Duty Land Tax on property acquisitions
- Direct taxation on income, profits, or gains
- Capital allowances to reduce taxable income
- Structuring property ownership for investor attraction and tax-efficient exits
- Bespoke property structures like REITs and PAIFs
- Aligning corporate transactions with commercial objectives
We work closely with our colleagues in Private Wealth to ensure that innovative solutions are devised to ensure that the structure works efficiently from the Ultimate Beneficial Owner all the way to the lowest tier subsidiary.
In addition, Forsters’ Tax team is heavily involved with M&A matters, negotiating warranties and indemnities and W&I policies and analysing the availability of the substantial shareholding exemption for corporates and entrepreneurs’ relief for individuals.
