lets just remember that access to taper relief via esc. c.16 is a concession by the tax people. They can refuse it and there is no guarantee that it will be available in the future.
- Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
- Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!
Taper relief vs Dividends
Collapse
X
-
-
Good point, I guess it makes sense to take the money out as and when you can.Originally posted by where did my id go?lets just remember that access to taper relief via esc. c.16 is a concession by the tax people. They can refuse it and there is no guarantee that it will be available in the future.
turboComment
-
Tax
ESC16 is a concession but they tend to grant it.....we haven't had one turned down yet!
It's a great idea, the more you retain in the company, the more you save....obviously not everyone will be able to keep most of the money in the company due to living costs, but it's certainly worthwhile in some cases.Comment
-
No, because:-Originally posted by turboUsual route when making use of taper relief is to pay a minimum salary and the rest in dividends upto the 38.3k threshold, then take the rest as taper relief.
Just wondered whether it would be more tax efficient to take a lower amount in dividends and leave a greater amount in the company, which could be taken as taper relief.
An extreme example: take a min salary of 5k, no dividends. Build up the rest and take it all as taper relief after a couple of years. - Assuming you could live on that wage for the time being.
turbo
1) If you don't use the lower allowance in any given year you use it forever
2) When the capital distribution is made anything over the relieved amount is the same as income
Thus if in 1 year you retain an extra 30k then you are exposing the relieved amount asd taxation. In any event the maximum you can retain per sharehold before CGT will kick in in approximately 40k - so some care need to be taken with high retentions.
Of course it is possible that the regimes will differ during the time the money is being accumulated so that could work for or against.
If you do go for esc c16 then I guess it is just possible you might be able to phase payments over a number of payments whjich might help mitigate the CGT. It's also a good ide not to have any other income or chargeable gains in that year.
From a personal perspectiv I only ever retained after using as much of the normal rate as possible, and it worked out pretty well for me.Comment
-
wind up
Do you have to wind up the company for this to work?Originally posted by Darren@1stAccountancyServESC16 is a concession but they tend to grant it.....we haven't had one turned down yet!
It's a great idea, the more you retain in the company, the more you save....obviously not everyone will be able to keep most of the money in the company due to living costs, but it's certainly worthwhile in some cases.Comment
-
YES - The concession is granted on the basis that the company has ceased trading and will be struck off.
AlanComment
-
Are there any limitations on starting up again under a different company? Otherwise it seems like a loophole that is begging to be closedOriginally posted by Nixon WilliamsYES - The concession is granted on the basis that the company has ceased trading and will be struck off.
AlanComment
-
Yes, it is a concession so it is not given as of right - abuse it and you will not get it granted.Originally posted by boredsenselessAre there any limitations on starting up again under a different company? Otherwise it seems like a loophole that is begging to be closedComment
- Home
- News & Features
- First Timers
- IR35 / S660 / BN66
- Employee Benefit Trusts
- Agency Workers Regulations
- MSC Legislation
- Limited Companies
- Dividends
- Umbrella Company
- VAT / Flat Rate VAT
- Job News & Guides
- Money News & Guides
- Guide to Contracts
- Successful Contracting
- Contracting Overseas
- Contractor Calculators
- MVL
- Contractor Expenses
Advertisers
Contractor Services
CUK News
- The weird, the wonderful and the genuinely useful: what contractors get wrong about expenses Yesterday 06:00
- Right to Work changes from October 2026: a contractor’s explainer Sep 2 15:46
- Data Kraken v Torry Harris: 5 lessons for software developer contractors Sep 2 06:09
- Loan Recall Case Study: Amanda Sep 1 06:00
- How IR35 inflated an £8.5bn consultancy bill — and tests Burnham at the Budget Aug 28 07:47
- Autumn Budget 2026: FCSA’s 5 contractor asks of John Healey Aug 27 04:15
- Andy Burnham's Zoom gripe doesn’t apply to IT contractors, say recruiters Aug 26 03:41
- Check your Loan Recall paperwork for the Isle of Man: it could matter Aug 25 03:27
- Budget 2026: Contractor advisers ask for ‘IR35 reset’ Aug 24 04:57
- Why might an umbrella company fail to pay its total tax bill to HMRC? Aug 18 06:08

Comment