Personal tax: 20%: Corporate tax (in detail) A general rate of tax of 0% applies for all companies carrying on business on the islands. In the UK, in respect of income tax and capital gains, for any year of assessment beginning on or after 6 April next following the entry into force date. The new non-resident capital gains tax came into force in Guernsey on 6 April 2015. Income tax is generally a flat rate of 20%. Rates– Guernsey residents are liable to tax at 20%. Keep up-to-date on significant tax developments around the globe with EY’s Global Tax Alert library. This article touches on some of the key points local residents might want to bear in mind, the rates of tax applied to capital gains made by individuals and companies, and simple steps that can be taken to protect historic gains from the hands of the UK tax-man. The content is current on 1 January 2020, with exceptions noted. It may be possible to take simple steps to minimise liabilities (particularly if more than one property is to be sold) but only if action is taken before the sale completes. Guernsey does not levy a tax on capital gains. Please contact us for a no obligation discussion of your accounting needs. CGT is calculated differently for companies and for individuals – the same disposal would give rise to different taxable gains, to which different rates of tax would be applied. The cap is also proportioned in the year of your arrival in, or departure from, Guernsey. If you are just getting started, try this overview of Accountancy on Guernsey.LinksKey Calendar Dates - for accountancy on GuernseyAccountancy - Frequently Asked QuestionsContact - Collenette Jones. However, if a property has been purchased more recently, and is not believed to have increased in value, an estate agent’s opinion may be sufficient. The definition of “high value” was initially set at £2 million, but has been extended on more than one occasion and will include all properties valued at £500,000 or above with effect from 6 April 2016. Guernsey does not levy an inheritance tax. Proposed changes to rates of capital gains tax in the UK could well provide another reason to consider relocating to Guernsey. Of course, Switzerland taxes capital gains on other investments as income, but foreigners may be able to avail of a flat tax scheme as well. UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently commissioned a report which recommends a major overhaul of capital gains tax or CGT. We are Guernsey accountants first and foremost, A Changing World: Capital Gains Tax in Guernsey. Preparation of tax returns. If you have a high level of income from both in and outside of Guernsey, or just Guernsey income, then the maximum tax that you pay is capped at £260,000 for 2019 (but this does not include income from land and property in Guernsey; tax is payable on this income in addition to the cap). It comes as Whitehall seeks to find a way of paying back the billions of pounds borrowed to support the economy through the Covid-19 crisis. It is worth noting here that companies may be exposed to other taxes that do not apply to individuals, particularly the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (“ATED”). As a self-governing British Crown Dependency, the island’s own system of taxation offers a long-standing, competitive regime that meets OECD standards of transparency and information … As expected it suggested the Government considers realigning current CGT rates with personal tax rates – potentially increasing the rate of the tax from 28 per cent to 40 per cent (in some cases 45 per cent) for a higher rate tax payer. Neither Collenette Jones Limited nor its directors or employees accept any responsibility for loss or damage incurred as a result of acting or refraining to act upon anything contained in or omitted from this document. Any income from Guernsey is treated as "non-qualifying income". Tax due on income arising from Guernsey land and property would need to be paid in addition to the Open Market Cap. In general, economic substance legislation is not expected to apply to Guernsey funds, but can app… The type of valuation you need to obtain will depend on individual circumstances. This Open Market Tax Cap applies in respect of both qualifying and non-qualifying income as defined in point 1. The limit of tax payable on this income is £130,000 for 2019. Income Tax. Tax is payable at the rate of 20% on net income after allowances (see the Deductions section for a description of allowances). It is a legal requirement for new businesses to inform the Revenue Service office. Most importantly, speak to us before you sell. Net wealth/net worth taxes. In this instance, if their assessable income is below the maximum amount of £149,760 they should provide details of their worldwide income (for the relevant year of charge), so that this can be considered for the basis of their contribution liability. While created as a guide only, it provides a useful breakdown of how your capital gains tax is calculated. From 1 January 2018, a new resident to Guernsey (who has not been resident in Guernsey in the previous 3 years) may claim a tax cap of £50,000, for the year they arrive in Guernsey and the following 3 years. This article touches on some of the key points local residents might want to bear in mind, the rates of tax applied to capital gains made by individuals and companies, and simple steps that can be taken to protect historic gains from the hands of the UK tax-man. Mr A is resident in Guernsey and has the following income: UK investments                   £ 400,000, French income                     £ 640,000, Total                                        £ 1,065,000, If the tax cap was not applied he would need to pay tax of. Unless you already complete UK self assessment tax returns, and tax due also needs to be paid within this timeframe. A 10% rate of corporation tax is applicable to income arising from certain regulated activities including banking and insurance. The remainder of the gain will be taxed at 18% or 28%, depending on the total UK income and gains arising in the year. Your session has expired. If you would like to see more in depth detail, please refer to the download section. The menu button may look like We all realise that we live in a world where governments have for many years spent more than they have earned, and are trying to balance their books in an environment where household incomes are squeezed. A return must be made to HMRC to inform them of the sale, and provide a computation of any gain arising, within 30 days of completion of the sale. We are a Guernsey based firm of Chartered and Certified Accountants providing a high level of service to Bailiwick of Guernsey clients. Capital Gains Tax calculator for tax year 2020/21. This will also affect payment of contributions in respect of your spouse if they are self-employed, non-employed or over pension age, and you are jointly assessed for Tax purposes. In Guernsey, in respect of income tax, for any year of charge beginning on or after 1 January next following the entry into force date. The legislation was introduced to meet a commitment made to the EU Council to address concerns that Guernsey’s 0% corporate income tax rate could facilitate offshore structures aimed at attracting profits which do not reflect real economic substance. Generally qualifying income is any income you have from outside of Guernsey and Guernsey bank interest. It is possible for a Guernsey resident individual to elect for a cap on their income tax liability. Guernsey has a formidable reputation for being well-regulated and is highly respected across the world. If you are self-employed, non-employed, or over pension age and elect to take advantage of the Tax cap, you will be assessed at the maximum weekly rate for the payment of Social Security contributions. Company tax. Capital gains– There is no capital gains tax. Increasing capital gains tax rates to bring them into line with income tax could raise £14 billion for the Treasury, a report commissioned by Chancellor Rishi Sunak has suggested. The definition of “residential property” is wide and, to all intents, includes any building that a person can live in. Guernsey does not levy a net wealth/net worth tax. Guernsey has introduced zero basic rate corporation tax on profits arising on most business carried out on the Island. Guernsey levies no capital gains, inheritance, capital transfer, value added or general withholding taxes. Guernsey has a basic rate of corporation tax of 0% on profits arising applicable to most companies which are Guernsey tax resident. There are no capital gains, inheritance or sales taxes. Penalties apply where the return is not submitted on time (even if there is no tax liability). Guernsey introduced economic substance legislation for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2019. The tax cap is based on the level of "qualifying" and/or "non-qualifying" income you have. Details: Capital gains in Guernsey are not subject to tax. The income tax position for fund vehicles is detailed below. No stamp or document duty, or transfer tax, is payable in respect of companies, unit trusts or limited partnerships that are collective investment schemes. Inheritance Tax. There is no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, value added tax or withholding tax. Consumption tax. For an Alderney resident their "Alderney qualifying income" is income from all sources, regardless of where it is from, except for any income from Guernsey/Alderney land and property, which is taxable in addition to the cap. During the 2015/16 tax year, for an individual, the higher rate will be charged once total taxable income and gains (calculated after deducting any available tax-free allowances) exceed £31,865. The rules intend to capture disposals of residential property in the United Kingdom by all non-residents. We provide a total suite of accounting, assurance, tax, company formation and administration, Certain specified activities in Guernsey are taxed at higher rates. Sections 39B, 39C, 39D and the Sixth Schedule of the Income Tax Law limit the amount of tax payable by an individual resident in Guernsey/Alderney. Guernsey has a flat tax rate of 20 percent for individuals. Tax on salaries is deducted at source. This is usually on the bias of a non UK resident individual or entity. But buying a home isn’t easy in this 30-square-mile tax haven. Heavy rain or sleet clearing around dawn to sunny intervals and showers, some heavy with the risk of hail. This cap can only be claimed if the individual has paid £50,000 or more in document duty on the purchase of a property, that is on Part A of the Open Market Register, and that property is purchased within 12 months (either before or after) they take up permanent residence in Guernsey. For the latest developments, access the EY Tax COVID-19 Response Tracker. But local residents who own residential property or other chargeable assets in the UK could potentially liable to pay the increased rates should the tax rise in the coming months. Gains from selling private property are not federally taxable while gains from business property are taxed as income. Mr B is resident in Guernsey and has the following income, UK investments                         £ 350,000, French income                           £ 640,000, Guernsey Bank Interest            £ 10,000, Guernsey wages                           £ 425,000, Guernsey rental income              £ 19,000, Guernsey loan interest                £ 250,000, Total                                                £ 1,694,000, Qualifying and non-qualifying income - capped at £260,000, Tax on Guernsey rental income           £19,000 at 20% £ 3,800, Total tax due                                            £263,800. It’s the gain you make that’s taxed, not … Has introduced zero basic rate corporation tax is applicable to most companies which are Guernsey Accountants first and foremost a... Payable on this income is £130,000 for 2019 like or * some '... Would need to be paid by non-residents in the United Kingdom by all non-residents the income at. 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