Can I Still Save Money on My Landlord Tax Before the Next Tax Year?
Yes. If you take action now, you can still reduce your landlord tax bill for this tax year.
The tax year ends 5 April. Anything you do before then affects this year's bill.
Here is what actually works.
Strategy 1: Bring Forward Allowable Expenses
If you need new furniture, appliances, or repairs on your rental property, buying before 6 April means you can deduct the cost this tax year rather than next.
What counts:
- White goods (washing machines, cookers, fridges)
- Furniture (beds, sofas, tables)
- Fixtures (new bathroom fittings, kitchen updates)
- Professional cleaning
- Gardening services
Timing tip: Invoice date matters, not payment date. Get invoices dated before 5 April, even if you pay later.
Strategy 2: Maximise Your Capital Allowance Claims
Capital allowances on fixtures and fittings are often missed. These include:
- Built-in appliances
- Kitchen units and worktops
- Bathroom fittings
- Central heating systems
- Electrics and plumbing
If you have never claimed capital allowances on a property you own, you may be able to claim retrospectively, and claim for future purchases too.
Important: Capital allowances must be claimed, not automatic. If you do not include them on your tax return, you lose them.
Strategy 3: Review Your Mortgage Structure
Your mortgage structure affects your Section 24 position. If you are on a variable rate, switching to a fixed rate before the end of the tax year can:
- Give you certainty about interest amounts for next year
- Allow you to plan your Section 24 calculation more accurately
This is not tax advice. Talk to a mortgage broker. But if restructuring makes sense financially, doing it before April means next year's calculation is cleaner.
Strategy 4: Set Up a Self-Assessment Payment Plan If Needed
If you know you will underpay this year (because you have been claiming incorrectly), setting up a payment plan now means:
- You pay the tax owed without additional penalties
- Interest is calculated from the due date, not from when HMRC discovers it
- You avoid the stress of a large lump sum
You can set up a budget payment plan at HMRC's website to spread the cost over up to 12 months.
What Does Not Work
Pre-paying expenses you do not need. Spending money just to save tax is not a strategy. HMRC checks for artificial transactions.
Claiming expenses you do not incur. This is tax evasion, not tax planning.
Relying on your accountant to find savings. Most general accountants do not proactively advise on tax savings. They process what you give them.
The Real Opportunity
Most landlords are not underpaying. They are overpaying. Because they are claiming incorrectly (Section 24 issues) or missing deductions.
The biggest tax saving is not bringing forward expenses. It is filing correctly.
If you have never had a property tax specialist review your filings, you are probably overpaying.
End of Tax Year Checklist
Download this year's rental income and expense records
Calculate your Section 24 restriction (or use the Landlord Tax Calculator)
Check if you have unclaimed capital allowances
Bring forward any legitimate expenses due before 5 April
If you will owe tax, set up a payment plan before the deadline
Schedule a specialist tax review for after 6 April