At a glance:
The sale of new dwellings is zero rated for VAT in the UK. It therefore follows that the sale of eligible labour and materials used in the course of the construction of a new dwelling is also zero rated for VAT. Self Build projects are eligible for VAT exemption, but they must create a new dwelling, that is for you to use as your own home. They must also be lawful and evidence of completion must be provided.
There are other conditions for different types of projects (such as renovations that bring a building back into use after 10 years), and if you are eligible you need to follow the process for claiming the VAT back AFTER you’ve paid it. Consequently, you need to obtain VAT invoices and keep precise records to ensure your claim is accurate. You can only submit one claim.
Those commissioning or building their own home using VAT registered builders will receive invoices at the zero rate of VAT (on eligible goods and services).
A custom or self builder buying building materials for use in the course of the construction of a new dwelling can recover input VAT so they benefit from the zero rate. Those who already have a VAT registration are able to reclaim VAT paid under the rules for Self Supply of Goods and Services through their regular return. Find out more about Government rules here and here.
Those who do not have a VAT registration can still recover VAT using the scheme for DIY Homebuilders and Converters called VAT Notice 431 NB (New Build) and VAT Notice 431 C (Conversion). The forms have extensive and very helpful notes on them.
You should not pay any VAT on labour regardless of whether your trades or builder are VAT registered or not. You don’t need to provide any evidence that you are a self builder to your contractor for them to zero rate the labour element, but you do need to keep an eye on any invoices to make sure you have not inadvertently been charged VAT on labour.
If you have, then you will need to challenge the builder and reclaim it from them not the taxman as HMRC will not refund VAT that has been incorrectly charged. Or, if a contractor uses their trade account to source your materials, which is in their name, ensure that you pay the supplier direct and keep the evidence, as it will be required.
Get this wrong and you will miss out!
There is a slight difference when it comes to conversions where there will be a 5% VAT rate applied to labour when you use a VAT registered builder and reclaim under VAT notice 431(C), as mentioned above.
Consider recruiting a professional to ensure the VAT recoverable is the maximum recoverable. Try Andrew Jones The Vatman – Self Build Portal who specialises in Self Build.
Custom build and some self build properties involve serviced plots, where the infrastructure, such as roads, and services are in place, and some form of planning consent has been established.
The cost of connecting utilities and other civil engineering works made in the course of the construction of a ‘building designed as a dwelling’ is zero-rated for VAT.
The point at which the zero rate is applied is when construction work has progressed above foundation level. This is usually when the first brick or block (the golden brick) is laid upon the foundations (the walls need not be above ground level). Graven Hill’s approach is Golden Brick – find out more.
VAT paid on civil engineering works paid by a developer in the creation of serviced plots is standard rated until ‘golden brick’ stage and so the VAT paid on civil engineering works is passed on to the custom or self builder, unless the sale includes commencement of construction.
Serviced plot developers can alternatively recover the input tax paid on civil engineering works made in the course of creating serviced plots by opting to tax the sale of land (sale of land and buildings is normally exempt from VAT) but this route is not appropriate for individuals buying a serviced plot, as they cannot recover VAT paid on land under Notice 431NB or 431C.
SDLT is applied to the purchase of land and property (LBTT in Scotland and LTT in Wales). It can be complicated in connection to building, depending on the type of land and whether building has started. Equally, cancelled contracts can have an impact, so seek professional advice early on.
Building plots (or buildings for conversion) where construction has not yet commenced are classed as non-residential property and accordingly the SDLT rate applied is that for non-residential property, unless the land is already in residential use because it forms a dwelling that is to be demolished and replaced in which case the residential property rate of SDLT (LBTT in Scotland and LTT in Wales) will be applied.
Rates for non residential property are frequently lower than for residential property so there is less tax to pay, especially on higher value transactions. An additional benefit for those who already own a residential property, i.e. their main home, a buy to let or second home, is that the 3% surcharge for additional residential property levied across the UK is not triggered.
Building plots where construction of a new dwelling has already commenced should be classed as residential property and therefore SDLT is applied at the rate for residential property (LBTT in Scotland and LTT in Wales). Where the custom or self builder already owns a residential property, the transaction to purchase a plot classed as residential property will trigger the 3% surcharge for additional residential property.
For those replacing their main dwelling, there is a way to recover the additional 3% surcharge providing they sell their current main residence within 36 months of the additional purchase transaction.
It is not yet clear whether a plot that has been taken to Golden Brick stage to allow a developer to recover input VAT is classed as residential property for SDLT (LBTT in Scotland and LTT in Wales).
A building plot that forms part of a garden of a building capable of use as a dwelling at the time of completion is generally treated as residential property.
Capital Gains Tax could be levied on your self build, so seek professional advice early on.
Your primary home is exempt from Capital Gains Tax under the Private Residence Relief (PRR), broadly speaking in proportion for the length of time it was your only or main residence. If you have two homes, the sale of the second home will typically attract CGT, which is levied at a higher rate as it will qualify as a second home. See Which for a good guide to CGT and second homes.
For Self Builders, under ESC D49* you can also count the first 24 months (anticipated from April 2020) as a period of ownership if you are unable to occupy the property because it is being built, or because you had not sold your previous home. Plus, there is also an additional 9 months you can offset against CGT if you’ve ever lived in the second home for a proportion of time (currently 18 months, but the reduction is anticipated in April 2020).
With regards to self building and PRR you can nominate your existing home or the self build as your main residence, but you may end up with a portion of your older home (if you nominate your new one as your main residence) attracting CGT.
It is important to get professional advice early on so you can avoid any surprises along the line. What Investment has a good article about the implications, including a reference to a recent case around this, which could further change the situation.
*NOTE: The spring 2020 Budget is anticipated to bring some of these measure into law.
Find out more at on our FINANCE and BUDGET ADVICE pages.
Find out more at on our CIL/S106 EXEMPTIONS page.
*This page is intended as a guide. Tax, SDLT and CGT are complicated areas, and the rules can change, therefore it is always recommended to get professional advice at the early stage of any project to ensure your budgeting for these elements is sufficient.
