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The most tax efficient way for a contractor to close their business
Consultants who work as contractors often build up funds their limited companies, they do this as a safe guard because being a contractor, there can be gaps between contracts and they will need cash to carry themselves through to the next contract.
But what if they decide to retire or they get offered their dream job as an employee, they may have lots of assets and cash in their company, perhaps more that £25,000.
They might even find that their main client insists they become employees for example
Some of the BBC’s biggest freelance stars could be asked to join the payroll or leave the corporation, as a new test aims to clear up tax issues.
It is part of a clampdown on the use of personal service companies (PSCs) and a move to tax more freelancers at source.
How could they close the company and use Entrepreneurs Tax Relief to pay 10% tax?
- The Insolvency Practitioner will ask the Contractor’s Accountant to confirm that the clients tax affairs are inorder and that appropriate advice has been given
- Final Accounts will need to be prepared and creditors paid
- A Declaration of Insolvency will be signed – The declaration of insolvency demonstrates that the company will be able to settle or secure liabilities and the costs of liquidation within 12 months
- A meeting of Shareholders will appoint the Insolvency Practitioner
- Notices will be posted at Companies House and in the London Gazzette
- Then the MVL can be a carried out and funds distributed
- Arrangements can be put in place to allow the directors access to funds during the process
12 Business Entity Tests for IR35
The Intermediaries legislation known as IR35 was introduced on 6th April 2000.
The aim of the legislation is to eliminate the avoidance of tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) through the use of intermediaries, such as Personal Service Companies or partnerships, in circumstances where an individual worker would otherwise –
- For tax purposes, be regarded as an employee of the client; and
- For NICs purposes, be regarded as employed in employed earner’s employment by the client.
In May 2012 HMRC set out their 12 business tests:
- Business premises (10)
- PII (2)
- Efficiency (10)
- Assistance (35)
- Advertising (2)
- Previous PAYE (minus 15)
- Business plan (1)
- Repair at own expense (4)
- Client risk (10)
- Billing (2)
- Right of substitution (2)
- Actual substitution (20)
A score less than 10 is high risk and a score more than 20 is low risk. Whilst it is only guidance, these are the tests that HMRC use and if you fail the test you may be taxed on deemed payments.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ir35/guidance.pdf
Many Freelance Contractors have some assignments within IR35 and some outside, you can ask HMRC for their opinion.
If you would like HMRC’s opinion on a particular engagement you should send your contract(s) to:
IR35 Customer Service Unit
HMRC
Ground Floor North
Princess House
Cliftonville Road
Northampton
NN1 5AE
e-mail: IR35 Unit
Tel No: 0845 303 3535 (Opening hours 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and bank holidays) Fax No: 0845 302 3535
If your contract is within IR35 its not the end of the world, the chances are that you will still pay less tax than a direct employee, to calculate the tax you have to work through 8 stages of calculation, here is a summary:
- How much were you paid? deduct 5% for business costs
- Add any other payments/non cash benefits
- Deduct business expenses – travel, meals, accommodation
- Deduct capital allowances relevant to the work done
- Deduct pension contributions made by your company
- Deduct any NIC paid by your company on your salary and benefits
- Deduct any salary or benefits already paid and taxed
- If the answer is zero or negative then there is no deemed payment, if the answer is positive you do have a deemed payment which will be taxable
HMRC have a spreadsheet you can download which has further details.
steve@bicknells.net
Business Accountant 