Tax changes have made it even more important to consider carefully, when running a business,
whether it is best to trade as:
* Sole Trader - An Individual
* Partnership - Two or more Individuals or Companies
* Limited Liability Partnership
* Limited Company

We are often asked, 'Should I form a Limited Company?' The reality is that there is no easy answer. Each situation has to be judged individually. As well as the obvious issues of tax and national insurance contributions (NICs), there are many other potentially relevant factors, such as:
* The Business
* Its expected rate of growth
* The degree of commercial risk
* Administrative obligations
* Personal preferences
* Pensions and retirement

In the early years of a business, the privacy of operating as a sole trader or partnership may be attractive. Business funds can be used with fewer restrictions than in an incorporated environment.

However, we are considering here the features of a limited company. A company is a completely separate legal entity subject to two main areas of regulation - tax and company law. This guidance note looks at some of the advantages and disadvantages of trading as a limited company. Please do contact us if you want more specific help or advice.

Possible advantages of incorporation
Incorporation normally provides limited liability. If a shareholder has paid fully for his or her shares, he or she cannot normally be required to invest any more in the company. Although companies with bank borrowings often have to provide directors' personal guarantees, the protection of limited liability will generally apply in respect of liabilities to other creditors.

A company enjoys legal continuity - it can own property, sue and be sued.

Effective ownership or part ownership of the business may be readily transferred, subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association. Whilst such transfers my well be covered by inheritance tax business property relief, the capital gains tax position needs careful review.

Normally a bank can take extra security by means of a 'floating charge' over the assets of the company, and this will increase the amount that can be borrowed compared with a sole trader or partnership.

Shareholders can be paid in dividends (currently free of NICs) but strict company law formalities must be observed. Distributed profits now bear a minimum corporation tax charge of 19%.

The National Minimum Wage does not apply to directors (as they are office holders) unless they have a Contract of Employment.

Growing businesses can re-invest profits after an overall tax charge of up to 19% (if profits are below £300,000), compared with 41% for higher-rate tax paying sole traders and partners. Undistributed company profits of up to £10,000 are tax free with a marginal rate of 23.75% on the slice of undistributed profits between £10,000 and £50,000.

Accumulated funds could be withdrawn on a sale of shares with the benefit of capital gains tax (CGT) business taper relief which reduces the effective CGT rate to 10% once shares have been held for two years.

Corporate status is sometimes thought to add to the credibility or commercial respectability of the business.

A company can establish an approved pension scheme, which may provide greater benefits than self-employed schemes.

Employees may, with adequate safeguards, be offered an opportunity to buy their own stake in the business, reflecting their commitment and importance to the company.

The liability of executors acting for deceased shareholders, or of trustees, is clearly defined.

Potential disadvantages of incorporation
Formation of a company incurs legal and administrative costs, which may include new accounting records and possibly systems, new PAYE system, new business tax reference, new VAT registration, new stationery etc.
Customers, suppliers and service providers must be informed of a change to limited company status.

The tax position arising on the incorporation of an existing business needs careful analysis. It may be possible to defer capitals gains tax on the transfer of goodwill etc, but the timing and effect of cessation on income tax must be closely planned.

Annual Accounts must comply with the requirements of the 1985 Companies Act. In most cases, a statutory audit is not required for companies with an annual turnover of £5.6 million or less. The statutory audit involves work over and above that which is normally carried out for a sole trader or partnership.

A company's accounts must be filed on public view with the Registrar of Companies. An Annual Return must also be submitted to the Registrar of Companies together with a filing fee of £30 (£15 if filed online).

The company will be taxed on its profits of each accounting period, as opposed to the income tax 'current year' basis for sole traders and partnerships. A company must file a corporation tax return.

Funds withdrawn from a company normally give rise to tax liabilities, whereas owners of unincorporated businesses can generally introduce and withdraw cash without tax implications.

Remuneration for directors is subject to both employee's and employer's National Insurance liabilities - currently up to 23.8%. For example on a remuneration of £12,000 there is a NI liability of £1,691. Both the company and its directors are liable to NIC on many benefits in kind, and a form P11D must be prepared for each director, whatever the level of earnings. This can lead to extra work in filing a tax claim for reimbursed expenses etc for which individual tax relief is available.

Tax on directors' remuneration paid monthly is payable on the 19th of the following month (22nd for electronic payment) through the PAYE system, and corporation tax is payable nine months after the end of a company's accounting period. For a sole trader or partnership, tax is generally paid by installments on 31 January and 31 July on the current year basis. The 'credit period' depends upon the choice of accounting date, and you should contact us for further advice on this. The 'IR35' legislation relating to personal service companies could be relevant, especially for IT contractors and other service providers who work for only one customer.

Companies pay tax on capital gains at their corporation tax rate (maximum 19% for profits up to £300,000). In a company, a capital gain is reflected in the value of its shares and if these are sold a "double charge" to capital gains tax can arise. This may be avoided if assets that are likely to increase in value are owned either outside the company or within a self-administered pension scheme, or if a company is sold complete with its assets

An individual has greater flexibility in dealing with trading losses.
A company director is more at risk of criminal or civil penalty proceedings, eg for late filing of accounts or for breaching the insolvency rules.

Conclusion
There is no doubt that recent developments have made trading as a limited company more attractive. However, the tax regime applied to limited companies is quite complex, and it is necessary to look beneath the media publicity attached to the Nil rate corporation tax band and the absence of NICs on dividends.

There can be no substitute for a detailed analysis, and we are happy to help you in any way we can.

Do Call us if you would like further help or advice on this subject.