Beever and Struthers partner Hallows fears new land tax

Charities constructing and selling on social housing and specialist homes could be hit the hardest by a new land tax being introduced by the Government next year, according to Manchester-based Beever and Struthers.

The Government's Community Infrastructure Levy, a tax on land for which planning permission has been granted, is due to come into force in April 2010.

The tax does not apply to schemes used for charitable purposes but could apply to homes constructed by charities and then sold on, including homes for the elderly and disabled.

The accountants and business advisors Beever and Struthers has a 40-strong specialist team dedicated to charities, housing associations and not-for-profit organisations headed by partner Maria Hallows.

She said: "Despite the enormous problems facing charities and developers in the recession the Government fully intends to force through the CIL before the general election next spring.

"CIL will represent a potentially huge and additional burden on already stretched organisations and we would urge any charities and developers that believe they may be affected by this to act now and seek professional advice."

Consultation on the CIL closed this week and charities throughout the North West and nationwide are waiting to see whether or not they will incur the additional tax burden.