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Construction & Real Estate Community resources

Key resources for Construction & Real Estate Community members.
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General tax

ICAEW Members can access Tax Faculty Property Tax content at no additional charge.

Exclusive Buying commercial property from non-taxpayers
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2023
Bryan Crawford considers the capital allowances actions that advisers should be taking when advising non-taxpaying sellers or buyers of commercial property.
Exclusive Practical points: tax administration 2023
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 10 Jan 2023
Every month, the Tax Faculty publishes short, practical pieces of guidance to help agents and practitioners in their day-to-day work.
Exclusive Practical points: business tax 2023
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 10 Jan 2023
Every month, the Tax Faculty publishes short, practical pieces of guidance to help agents and practitioners in their day-to-day work.
Exclusive Practical points: personal tax 2023
  • Helpsheets and support
  • 10 Jan 2023
Every month, the Tax Faculty publishes short, practical pieces of guidance to help agents and practitioners in their day-to-day work.
Paper return for UK property CGT reporting available for download
  • Article
  • 28 Feb 2023
The capital gains tax on UK property (CGT PPD) return has been published on HMRC’s website. Those submitting paper returns can now download the form instead of having to request it from HMRC by phone.
Exclusive Landlords looking to sell must prepare for their tax reporting obligations
  • Article
  • 12 Jan 2023
Whether they’re selling due to changes in the tax regime or simply because of market conditions, landlords looking to offload residential property need to be prepared to meet their CGT compliance obligations, says Gillian Banks.
Deadlines and dates 2023
  • Article
  • 05 Jan 2023
The Tax Faculty highlights the key deadlines and dates for tax practitioners during 2023.
Exclusive New capital gains tax rules for separating couples
  • Article
  • 31 Oct 2022
New rules will allow separating couples more time to transfer assets on a tax-neutral basis. Mei Lim Cooper explains that they’ll need to time it correctly to benefit.
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Residential tax

Exclusive TAX FACULTY How the higher rates of stamp taxes apply to second homes across the UK
  • 29 Mar 2023
  • ICAEW
  • Taxline
The differences between how and when the higher rates apply to residential property purchases in England and Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales go beyond the rates charged. Lindsey Wicks highlights some key variations alongside planned changes in Scotland.
The Growth Plan 2022: SDLT changes in England and Northern Ireland
  • 26 Sep 2022
  • ICAEW
Chancellor abolishes 2% stamp duty land tax band for residential property and increases thresholds for first-time buyer relief in a bid to boost the property market and fuel growth.
Residential Property Developer Tax: consultation
  • 29 Apr 2021
  • Gov UK
Consultation on the policy design of a Residential Property Developer Tax on certain profits from residential development activity. The consultation runs from 29 April to 22 July 2021.
CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY Higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax
  • 27 Aug 2020
  • Gov UK
Check if you have to pay the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) when you buy a residential property in England or Northern Ireland.
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Business rates

Business rates modernisation bill introduced to Parliament
  • 04 Apr 2023
  • ICAEW
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty summarises the key changes contained in the bill.
Significant changes ahead for business rates
  • 21 Mar 2023
  • ICAEW
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty explains the technical changes to the business rates system announced alongside the Spring Budget.
TAX FACULTY ICAEW REP 079/22 Digitalising business rates - connecting business rates and tax data
  • 23 Sep 2022
  • PDF (242kb)
A response dated 23 September 2022 to a consultation published by HMRC on 20 July 2022.

VAT

Exclusive TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES Reclaiming VAT charged by a supplied not registered under the Construction Industry Scheme
  • 04 Dec 2025
  • Markel Tax
  • Markel Tax FAQ
FAQ about a client who is both VAT and CIS registered and meets all the other criteria to treat purchases under the CIS DRC, but using materials from a supplier not registered under the Construction Industry Scheme. The supplier insists on charging 20% VAT as normal, which may affect the client's ability to reclaim this VAT as input tax.
Exclusive TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES Proof of option to tax (OTT)
  • 01 Apr 2025
  • Markel Tax
  • Markel Tax FAQ
FAQ about how a client company can prove to a third party their option to tax (OTT) a commercial property, that they intent to buy, and then make commercial property rentals to (non-charity) third party tenants.
Exclusive TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES VAT on sale to and rent back of property to a holding company
  • 04 Oct 2024
  • Markel Tax
  • Markel Tax FAQ
FAQ on whether a client firm, who will be renting its premises back from a newly formed holding company that it has recently sold the property to, will need to charge VAT on the sale of that property.
Exclusive TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES VAT status of pickup vehicle
  • 15 Jul 2024
  • Markel Tax
  • Markel Tax FAQ
FAQ on whether a client can claim 90% VAT on a pickup truck used as a commercial vehicle to transport staff and materials, even when there is some incidental private use of the truck, for non-commercial purposes.
TAX FACULTY ICAEW REP 065/23 Construction industry scheme reform
  • 10 Jul 2023
  • PDF (250kb)
A representation dated 10 July 2023 to a consultation published by HMRC on 27 April 2023.
Exclusive TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES Construction DRC and the flat rate scheme
  • 12 Apr 2023
  • Markel Tax
  • Markel Tax FAQ
FAQ on how to report supplies made and received which fall under the construction domestic reverse charge (DRC) and whether and whether flat Rate VAT should be paid.
HMRC updates guidance on VAT domestic reverse charge for construction
  • 22 Nov 2022
  • ICAEW
Guidance on the supply of scaffolding has been added. Guidance in several other areas has been updated.
VAT: changes to notification process for opting to tax land and buildings
  • 05 Oct 2022
  • ICAEW
Following a trial, changes to how HMRC acknowledges an option to tax notification will become “business as usual”.
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Scottish and Welsh property tax

Wealthy taxpayers asked to check if tax return required
  • 27 Oct 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
HMRC is writing to wealthy taxpayers it believes should have submitted an income tax self assessment (ITSA) tax return for the tax year ended 5 April 2023 but failed to do so.
Draft Welsh Budget sets out changes to land transaction tax
  • 21 Oct 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
The Welsh Government has ruled out increases to the Welsh rates of income tax and the thresholds for land transaction tax (LTT) for 2026-27 and has announced changes to LTT multiple dwellings relief (MDR).
Welsh Government consults on new legislative process
  • 06 Oct 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty explains how you can have your say on the legislative process for making changes to land transaction tax (LTT) and landfill disposals tax (LDT), including the possible introduction of a finance bill process in Wales.
Exclusive TAX FACULTY Practical points: personal tax September 2025
  • 04 Sep 2025
  • ICAEW
  • Taxline
Every month, the Tax Faculty publishes short, practical pieces of guidance to help agents and practitioners in their day-to-day work. This month covers: income tax; and property tax.
CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY Land and Buildings Transaction Tax - property investment funds: consultation
  • 11 Jul 2025
  • Tax Directorate
The Scottish government is consulting on three specific issues focussed on the interaction between investment funds and LBTT, including Co-ownership Authorised Contractual Schemes, Reserved Investor Funds and Seeding Relief. The consultation closes on 5 September 2025.
CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill
  • 24 Jun 2025
  • The Scottish Parliament
There is to be a new tax, the Scottish Building Safety Levy, to be charged on the construction or conversion of residential property developments. Money raised through this devolved tax will be used to fund building safety expenditure in Scotland (a similar tax is being developed in England).
Landlords advised not to use tax avoidance scheme
  • 01 May 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
HMRC has warned against the use of a capital gains tax (CGT) avoidance scheme that involves an individual transferring their property business to a limited liability partnership (LLP), which is then put into members’ voluntary liquidation (MVL).
Tips for preparing for MTD for income tax
  • 22 Apr 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax will be phased in from April 2026 for many individuals with self employment and/or property income. ICAEW’s Tax Faculty explains the steps that agents can take now to prepare for the changes ahead.
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Construction Industry Scheme

ICAEW Members can access Tax Faculty CIS content at no additional charge.
Exclusive TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES Status of a company for Construction Industry Scheme purposes
  • 04 Dec 2025
  • Markel Tax
  • Markel Tax FAQ
FAQ about the status of a client's company in relation to a house it has purchased to renovate and let, and whether it counts as a contractor for CIS purposes.
Exclusive TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES Reclaiming VAT charged by a supplied not registered under the Construction Industry Scheme
  • 04 Dec 2025
  • Markel Tax
  • Markel Tax FAQ
FAQ about a client who is both VAT and CIS registered and meets all the other criteria to treat purchases under the CIS DRC, but using materials from a supplier not registered under the Construction Industry Scheme. The supplier insists on charging 20% VAT as normal, which may affect the client's ability to reclaim this VAT as input tax.
New HMRC tool for R&D tax relief claims
  • 02 Oct 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty explores recent developments regarding research and development (R&D) tax relief, including the publication of a new online tool by HMRC and the latest statistics on claims for relief.
Exclusive TAX FACULTY Construction Industry Scheme update 2025
  • 30 Sep 2025
  • ICAEW Tax Faculty
The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) was introduced with the aim of tackling tax evasion in the construction industry and certain other businesses. In this webinar we will provide an overview of the CIS and how it may affect you or your clients.
Patent box companies encouraged to submit information
  • 18 Sep 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
HMRC says that companies making a patent box deduction should consider providing supporting information with their tax return to help avoid compliance checks and speed-up any tax repayments due.
Review supply chains for mini umbrella companies, says HMRC
  • 15 Sep 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
HMRC is writing to employment businesses and recruitment agencies to ask them to check for and remove any mini umbrella companies (MUCs) from their supply chains.
Businesses to benefit from rates reforms, says government
  • 12 Sep 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
The government has announced that it will explore options for reforming business rates, including overhauling small business rates relief to make it easier for smaller businesses to invest and grow.
First corporate criminal offence prosecution
  • 02 Sep 2025
  • ICAEW Insights
Media reports suggest that an accountancy firm has been charged with failure to prevent the facilitation of UK tax evasion in connection with an alleged research and development (R&D) tax credit repayment fraud.
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Corporate reporting

The latest information and practical resources on International Financial Reporting Standards relevant to the construction and real estate industries.

ICAEW Members can access Corporate Reporting Faculty content at no additional charge.

SUSTAINABILITY ICAEW Sustainability Summit
  • 10 Jun 2021
  • Sustainability
This two-day summit is designed to provide finance professionals with the practical insights and strategies necessary to lead on sustainability.
ICAEW Sustainability Certificate for Finance Professionals
  • 21 Jun 2022
ICAEW’s Sustainability Certificate will equip accountants and other finance professionals with the practical knowledge and skills to integrate sustainability reporting into their organisations.
IFRS 16 Leases
  • 21 Dec 2018
IFRS 16 Leases prescribes a single lessee accounting model that requires the recognition of asset and corresponding liability for all leases with terms over 12 months unless the underlying asset is of low value. Lessors apply a two-model approach.
Income Tax and Corporation Tax rules for spreading transitional adjustments on new lease accounting
  • 11 Jul 2019
  • HM Revenue & Customs
Businesses that are lessees of business assets which adopt the new lease accounting standard, International Financial Reporting Standard 16 (IFRS 16) will be affected by this measure.
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
  • 21 Dec 2018
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers provides a single, principles-based five-step model that should be applied to determine how and when to recognise revenue from contracts with customers.
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
  • 20 Dec 2018
IFRS 9 sets out the requirements for recognising and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities, and some contracts to buy or sell non-financial items.
CORPORATE REPORTING FACULTY IAS 36 Impairment of Assets
  • 07 Apr 2011
IAS 36 Impairment of Assets prescribes the procedures to apply to ensure assets are carried at no more than their recoverable amount.

Anti Money Laundering and construction

BUSINESS LAW Anti-money laundering law and guidance
  • 14 Mar 2012
  • Business Law
Guidance and other work that we have done on anti-money laundering law and practice, in the UK and internationally.
Money laundering supervision for estate agency businesses
  • 02 Apr 2014
  • HM Revenue & Customs
Find out if you’re an estate agency business who needs to register with HMRC under the Money Laundering Regulations.

Health and safety

CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY Flexible working guide – Hybrid working – What happens now
  • 31 Mar 2021
  • Resilience First
This second guide highlights the new hybrid or optional way of working where we mix the office and home environments. As the return-to-work practices gain traction, the guide looks at the aspects that employers and employees alike need to consider in making the new normal a success.
CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY Flexible working guide – Working from home
  • 30 Nov 2020
  • Resilience First
This guide highlights the upsides and downsides and provides some key messages on what to consider as we all move forward into a new working environment.
CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY Stepping up health and safety regulations
  • 06 Jun 2019
  • Keri Allan
Here’s why health and safety legislation makes good business sense

Bloomsbury Accounting and Tax Service

Eligible firms have free access to Bloomsbury Professional's comprehensive online library, comprising around 80 titles from some of the country's leading tax and accounting subject matter experts. Find out who is eligible and how you can access the Bloomsbury Accounting and Tax Service.
Exclusive VAT and trading premises
  • Oct 2025
  • Zeeshan Khilji
  • Bloomsbury Professional
  • Property Tax Planning
Guidance on VAT in relation to trading premises, highlighting property tax planning opportunities.
Exclusive Construction Industry Scheme
  • Oct 2025
  • Zeeshan Khilji
  • Bloomsbury Professional
  • Property Tax Planning
Brief chapter on the obligations of the Construction Industry Scheme for traders that commission construction or refurbishment work.
Exclusive Construction Industry Scheme
  • Oct 2025
  • Zeeshan Khilji
  • Bloomsbury Professional
  • Property Tax Planning
Chapter on the implications of the Construction Industry Scheme for any individual, partnership or company that carries out or engages in construction work.
Exclusive Land and Buildings Transaction Tax 2025/26
  • Oct 2025
  • Graeme Connell
  • Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
The only comprehensive guide to Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (‘LBTT’) in Scotland, acting as a useful guide to accountants and other professions dealing with transactions involving commercial and residential properties in Scotland. This title has been thoroughly reviewed and revised for 2025/26.
Exclusive Land and property
  • Sep 2025
  • The TACS Partnership
  • Bloomsbury Professional
  • Bloomsbury Professional Tax Guide
A chapter on UK taxation of land and property, containing worked examples.
Exclusive Self-employment
  • Sep 2025
  • The TACS Partnership
  • Bloomsbury Professional
  • Bloomsbury Professional Tax Guide
A chapter on the UK tax treatment of self-employment, containing worked examples throughout.
Exclusive Property investment
  • Sep 2025
  • Satwaki Chanda, Jacquelyn Kimber, Andrew Parkes
  • Bloomsbury Professional
  • Corporation Tax
Expert commentary on the current UK corporation tax legislation related to property investment.
Exclusive Structures and buildings allowances
  • Sep 2025
  • Satwaki Chanda, Jacquelyn Kimber, Andrew Parkes
  • Bloomsbury Professional
  • Corporation Tax
A chapter on the special business reliefs available for buildings and structures, including The Structures and Buildings Allowance ('SBA').
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the Acceptable usage terms.

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eBooks

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of eBooks as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com.
Exclusive Special classes of taxpayers
  • 2024
  • Malcolm James
  • Spiramus
This chapter covers the schemes, reliefs and special rules pertaining to classes of taxpayers not covered elsewhere in this work. This includes the Construction Industry Scheme and rules for small businesses, charities, clubs and societies and various types of occupations.
Exclusive Construction Industry Scheme
  • 2024
  • Malcolm James
  • Spiramus
A section summarising the provisions of the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS). Covers exceptions and registration for gross payment.
Exclusive Hotel appraisal
  • 2019
  • Pavlos Papadimitriou, Ezio Poinelli
  • John Wiley & Sons
A practical guide to the best approaches for commercial real estate value assessment. This chapter provides a case study on valuing a four-star hotel located in a UK city.
Exclusive Commercial property valuation: methods and case studies
  • 2019
  • Giacomo Morri, Paolo Benedetto
  • John Wiley & Sons
A practical guide to the best approaches for commercial real estate value assessment, covering all key elements of commercial property valuation, including valuation queries, real estate report structure, market analysis, capitalization and discount rates estimation.
Exclusive Revenue
  • 2019
  • Rob Carrington, Ernst & Young
  • Wiley
Guide from 2019 focusing on each area of the financial statement in detail with illustrative examples. This chapter on accounting for revenue gives a comparison of FRS 102 Section 23 and IFRS, and looks at measurement of revenue, identification of the revenue transaction, sale of goods, rendering of services, percentage of completion method, franchise fees, interest, royalties, dividends, construction contracts, disclosures, and practical implementation issues.
Exclusive Modern methods of valuation
  • 2019
  • Eric Shapiro, David Mackmin, Gary Sims
  • Routledge
The twelfth edition of this essential valuation textbook reflects the changes in the regulatory and statutory framework for property valuations that have occurred since 2013, as well as presenting the tried and tested principles and practices of real estate valuation.
Exclusive Housing SORP 2018
  • 2018
  • National Housing Federation
  • National Housing Federation
The Housing SORP 2018 is issued by the National Housing Federation, Community Housing Cymru, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations. This version was published in September 2018 and is an update of the 2014 edition.
Exclusive Housing SORP: 2018 update - Statement of Recommended Practice for registered social housing providers
  • 2018
  • National Housing Federation
  • National Housing Federation
Updated version of the SORP published in September 2018, reflecting amendments to UK GAAP. The SORP will be effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2019.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

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Industry sector guides

The ICAEW Library & Information Service has produced a series of industry guides for members. You'll find a package of information on each sector, including links to market research reports, statistics, trade bodies and trade journals. The guides also provide details of key player reports, market reports and mailing lists which ICAEW members and ACA students can order through the website or by contacting our enquiry team.

Exclusive Construction industry
  • Apr 2025
  • Business and Industry Guide
Guide to researching the building and construction industry. Quick links to trends, forecasts, market research, regulations, statistics and useful organisations.
Exclusive Property industry
  • Sep 2025
  • Business and Industry Guide
Guide to researching the property selling, development and rental sectors. Quick links to trends, forecasts, market research, regulations, statistics and useful organisations.
Exclusive Architectural services
  • Dec 2022
  • Business and Industry Guide
Guide to researching architects and architectural services firms. Quick links to trends, forecasts, market research, statistics and useful organisations.

Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection

The ICAEW Library & Information Service holds a print collection of over 45,000 books and around 160 current professional journals. For information on borrowing books from the Library please contact us or see our guide to book loans.

Tolley's taxwise, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • T. Agnew, et al.
  • LexisNexis
An annual two-volume set offering practical expert guidance on how to approach real-world tax computations. Brings together relevant points from current legislation, case law and other official material. Worked examples and detailed explanatory notes are included to illustrate complex points.
Tolley's estate planning, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • Tolley
  • LexisNexis
This book considers all aspects of estate planning, demonstrating how to formulate strategies for the provision, holding and devolution of personal and family resources. It includes numerous practical planning suggestions, a practical step-by-step case study, and worked examples and tables.
Tolley's property taxation, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • Tolley
  • LexisNexis
A guide to all relevant taxes and how these taxes can interact, providing authoritative answers to all your queries. Covers property investments, development, redevelopment, refurbishment and maintenance, Islamic funding structures, and more.
Tolley's stamp taxes, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • P. Cannon
  • LexisNexis
An annual book providing in-depth but straightforward coverage of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED), stamp duties and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (SDRT).

Thought leadership

Our thought leadership is intended to change thinking and behaviour. We want to help our members do their jobs as best they can. Ultimately, this will enable people everywhere to do business with confidence..
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Rodin's The Thinker
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Some of the content on this web page was provided by the Chartered Accountants’ Trust for Education and Research, a registered charity, which owns the library and operates it for ICAEW.