Confused

[MrRobin]

My understanding is that this amount is not tax free.. you pay yourself dividends up to the £33k point at Basic Rate (22%) - anything above that point is taxable at 40% so best (most tax efficient) to leave in the company (unless you need it / don't mind paying the 40%).

No, divis are simply taxed at the 20% CT rate on profit. Anything above the £33k will attract the income tax too. Since when you leave the money in the company it has already been taxed at 20% on profits you will be paying the 10% (now 18%) extra on company wind up.

[MrRobin]

why?
I assume you say this because anything more = 40% tax.

Anything that you spend out of your own pocket that can be regarded as business expenses can be reinbursed to you out of the company before profit is calculated (and 20% CT applied)