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Business owners often lend money to their own business (e.g., to support it through cashflow difficulties). Unfortunately, the business may subsequently be unable to repay the individual’s loan, such that the debt becomes irrecoverable.

Mark McLaughlin looks at capital loss relief for ‘loans to traders’ and another dispute between a taxpayer and HMRC over the availability of the relief.

A little under a year ago, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced plans to remove the inheritance tax (IHT) relief on unused pension funds when a taxpayer died after the age of 75. Reeves said that the aim was to “restore the principle that pensions should not be a vehicle for the accumulation of capital sums for the purposes of inheritance, as was the case prior to the 2015 pension reforms”. 

Grandparents might consider using tax reliefs to help future generations, suggests Richard Curtis.

To recover the VAT on costs associated with their commercial properties, the owners of most commercial property rental businesses have opted to tax their portfolios of property and would therefore normally charge VAT on the sale of a commercial property. 

Andrew Needham looks at how to minimise any penalties due if a business is assessed by HM Revenue and Customs. 

Business asset disposal relief (BADR) may now be a pale shadow of what it once was, but it remains a useful relief for small businesses. 

Ken Moody recalls a recent interaction with a client firm and recounts how a fundamental issue for business asset disposal relief can easily be confused. 

Three main changes to Employer’s National Insurance contributions (NICs) were announced in last October’s Autumn Statement, all of which came into effect from 6 April 2025: 
•    The rate of Employer’s NICs increased from 13.8% to 15%.
•    The threshold at which Employer’s NICs start to be due reduced from £9,100 to £5,000 per employee. 
•    The employment allowance (EA) went up from £5,000 to £10,500, with a removal of the £100,000 test which previously prohibited larger employers from claiming it. 

Tristan Noyes looks at recent changes to Employer’s National Insurance contributions and how they work.

Bad debts pose a significant challenge for every business. Swoop Funding's 2025 UK business debt report (April 2025) revealed that the average debt per company stands at £365,375 – funds that could otherwise maintain healthy cashflow and financial stability for the business. Therefore, staying on top of non-payments is essential. 

Jennifer Adams considers the tax implications for a business if invoices are not paid.

The question as to whether a business should operate through a limited company is often dictated by the tax implications, though not always – insulation of the individual from commercial risks is often reason enough. 

Chris Thorpe considers some important tax issues when considering incorporation.

The employment-related securities legislation deals with arrangements involving shares and securities provided by reason of employment where the full value of the employment reward provided to the employee is not included in the salary package and is charged to tax.  

Jennifer Adams considers the tax implications of shares in a family company being awarded or gifted to family members of employees. 

A sole trader looking to expand their business might be weighing up the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of a partnership or a limited company. They are very different, with not only very different tax consequences, but functions as well. 

Chris Thorpe looks at partnerships and companies and considers which business model might be best.  

Under the loan relationships rules for companies, debits on loan arrangements are not deductible for corporation tax purposes in some circumstances.

Kevin Read highlights a recent case concerning the loan relationship rules for companies. 

When HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) opens a tax return enquiry, the natural reaction of most taxpayers is to speculate about the reason why their tax return has been selected. In fact, HMRC does not need an excuse to open a tax return enquiry; a small proportion of tax returns are simply selected at random. . 

Mark McLaughlin looks at whether a taxpayer can find out if an HMRC enquiry has been opened as the result of an accusation made by a third party. 

When considering the tricky matter of remuneration planning, there are two things to consider; the amount of remuneration, and what form it takes. 

Chris Thorpe looks at what to watch out for with regard to paying employees and directors.

Despite the reduction in National Insurance contributions (NICs) in Spring Budget 2024, more employees are paying tax at higher rates on their earnings due to the freezing of tax thresholds. Some may find that any pay rise or bonus attracts additional tax and NICs such that the net pay increase is minimal.  

Jennifer Adams looks at some alternatives to rewarding an employee with a pay rise or a bonus. 

Mark McLaughlin looks at company purchases of own shares and warns not to become too focused on the more difficult rules for capital treatment. 

A company purchase of its own shares from a shareholder is a popular ‘exit’ strategy when an individual shareholder is retiring, or a dissenting shareholder is departing.