Strategies Available To Companies Looking To Minimise Their Corporation Tax Bill

The UK has one of the lowest rates of corporation tax in the developed world.  Additionally the infrastructure of corporation tax reliefs available to any company or organisation based in the UK is one of the more straightforward to navigate.

Tax Rates

The rates for corporation tax on any company's profits prior to April 1st 2015 depends on the amount of profit achieved by a company.  The Small Profits rate applicable on profits of less than £300,000 per annum is 20%.  This tax rate is applicable to profit earned from 1st April 2013 and 1st April 2014.  The Main Profit tax rate levied on profits above £300,000 per annum differs according to the year in which the profits were achieved.  The rate from 1st April 2012 is 24%, from 1st April 2013 is 23% and from 1st April 2014 is 21%.

The corporation tax rate from 1st April 2015 is a flat rate of 20%.  This rate is applicable to main and small profits.

Tax Threshold Reductions

The small and main tax rates are based on a full year.  The tax thresholds are reduced in line with the length of a company's accounting period.  For example - if a company's accounting period is for six months rather than 12 months, the profit threshold is reduced by 50% to £150,000.

Shared Tax Thresholds

Associated companies where one company may own and control others will share the appropriate tax thresholds.  If one company owns three other companies, then the tax threshold of £300,000 will be divided by four, equalling a small profit threshold of £75,000 for each company.

More Than One Tax Rate In A Single Accounting Period

If a company's accounting period straddles two different tax years then it will have to pay the different tax rates for those years.

For Example, if a company's accounting year commenced on 1st March 2014 and finished on 28th February 2015, the company would pay the tax rate applicable for the corporation tax year starting 1st April 2013 for 31 days and the rate applicable for the corporation tax year starting 1st April 2014 for 334 days.

Reliefs And Allowances

A company may deduct the cost of running the business from its profits before tax when its accountants are preparing the end of year accounts.

However, anything the company owner or employees gain any personal benefit from has to be treated as a benefit.  Employee benefits can include:

-  company cars

-  health insurance

-  childcare

Some expenses may not be set against company profits pertaining to corporation tax.  Examples of this are non-work related travel costs and the majority of entertainment expenses which must be added back to company profits when a company tax return is prepared.

Capital Allowances

Any company can claim back capital allowances if it purchases things that will be utilised by the business or its employees.  These assets include:

-  business vehicles such as cars, vans or lorries

-  equipment

-  machinery

These assets are referred to as plant and machinery.  A company may deduct some or all of the value of these assets.  Capital allowance cannot be claimed on:

-  leased assets

-  building including fixtures, fittings and utilities systems

-  land and structures

-  items only used for business entertainment

The company must initially work out the value of the assets, which is usually based on what the company paid for the item.  However, if the item was a gift or was owned by the company owner before it was used by the business then the value is what it could be reasonable expected to sell for on the open market.

Other Business Costs

A company may claim for the cost of items which are not business assets using a different method.  This will include:

-  a company's day-to-day running costs

-  items that a company trades in

-  finance costs and interest costs for purchasing assets

These costs can be claimed as business expenses if the company is run by a sole trader or is a partnership.  These costs must be deducted from a company's profits if the company is a limited company.

Other Capital Allowances

In addition to plant and machinery, a company can also claim capital allowances for the following:

-  renovating business property in disadvantaged areas of the UK (this allowance will end on 1st April 2017 for corporation tax)

-  extracting minerals

-  dredging

-  research and development

-  patents

-  intellectual property

Maintaining Corporation Tax Records

It is vitally important to maintain accurate records in order to calculate any corporation tax payable.  These records should include all receipts, expenses, and all sale and purchases of goods by the company.

Records of all company assets and liabilities should be kept up to date at all times.  If a company is engaged in the sale of goods then stock records should also be kept.

Business and personal expenditure records must be kept separate at all times.

Corporation tax records must be retained for 6 years after the tax year for which they were prepared.

Corporation Tax Returns

All corporation tax returns must be filed online along with a company's tax calculation and financial accounts.  If a company needs to adjust the return, this can be done up to 12 months after the corporation tax filing deadline.

HMRC must be informed if any errors are discovered after this.

Reducing Corporation Tax

There is a long list of allowances that are potentially available, so it is worth taking along and considered look at them to see how many, if any, are applicable to the business.

A company can claim deductions on share options and awards; relief is available on employee share options.  The deduction is available for an amount equal to the market value of the shares and how much employees paid for them.

Pension contributions are tax deductable when they are paid.  Thus, it is advisable to pay into pension schemes prior to the end of a company's financial year ir order to maximise the deductions and accelerate the tax relief.

Checking and ensuring that a company is paying the correct amount of tax is essential.

Large companies usually have to pay their corporation tax in installments based on forecast profits.  If a company regularly and accurately forecasts its profits these installments can be reduced and tax payments will reduce accordingly.  There is also potential scope for companies to claim back installment over-payments.

Losses can also be offset against corporation tax.  A company whose accounts show a loss one year can secure a tax refund by carrying back losses to the previous year or by carrying losses forward against subsequent profits until the loss is distinguished.

If a company pays its corporation tax bill early then HMRC will return some of the amount in the form of interest.

There is no great secret to reducing corporation tax.  If a company's accountants practice due diligence at all times, corporation tax will be paid at the lowest amount possible.  If you wish to discuss how you can reduce your corporation tax please contact us and we will be more than happy to advise you.