Angela Rayner 'may claim new kitchen in her former home means she owes no tax' ... trends now
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Angela Rayner may argue that she does not owe capital gains tax on the sale of her former home because she offset it by fitting a new kitchen, it was reported today.
Labour's deputy leader is facing ongoing scrutiny of her financial affairs concerning the sale of the former council house in Manchester almost a decade ago.
She is also being investigated by police over suggestions she may have broken electoral law by registering to vote at a house that was not her main home.
The Times today reported that Ms Rayner will argue that the property was her main home, rather than a house owned nearby by her now ex-husband.
But the paper said independent legal advice she has received says that even if it was not her main home, she would not be liable for CGT on its sale because of the amount she spent on renovating its kitchen before offloading it.
Making major improvements to a home, like a brand new kitchen, would count as capital expenditure and could be deducted from the tax bill when it is sold, though more minor home improvements may not.
It came as Ed Miliband justified party leader Sir Keir Starmer not getting closely involved in the row by looking at Ms Rayner's legal advice, despite being a former top barrister.
Asked on Times Radio whether Sir Keir taking a look at it would show confidence in his deputy, Mr Miliband said: 'I think it could send the opposite signal.'
Labour's deputy leader is facing ongoing scrutiny of her financial affairs concerning the sale of the former council house in Manchester almost a decade ago.
Police last week launched an investigation into claims that before becoming an MP in 2015, Ms Rayner may have wrongly declared on the electoral roll she was living in a property on Vicarage Road.
