A: Since 2015 new rules have come into place with regards to non-residents selling UK land. If an individual is selling a UK residential property, then the default position is to automatically rebase the property's purchase price to its 5 April 2015 value. If the client lived in property as their main residence prior to moving abroad, they can consider whether it would be more beneficial to elect to use their original base cost and claim private residence relief, instead of the automatic rebasing. See HMRC guidance at Work out your tax if you're a non-resident selling UK property or land.
If a company is selling a UK residential property it would automatically rebase the purchase price to 5 April 2015. The gain would be charged to corporation tax and the company would need to be registered with HMRC. A company cannot claim main residence relief.
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