July 2006 Newsletter

If you manage and own shares in, a private limited company, then assuming that your company has profits to spare, you will no doubt be seeking advice at some stage - do I take a bonus (extra salary) or a dividend? (a payment based on shareholding.)

We have assumed in the conclusions we have reached below that you already take a commercial salary for the work you undertake for the company.

A bonus will be subject to your highest rate of tax, plus employee's and employer's National Insurance Contributions. Dividends are a return on your investment in the business - you will pay tax on the amount received but no National Insurance!

Logically it would seem to be a simple decision, take a dividend, no extra NIC to pay. Unfortunately logic and tax planning do not always go hand in hand! There may be circumstances when a bonus is preferable to a dividend. One way to demonstrate this apparent contradiction is to examine the outcomes when the company pays corporation tax at different rates.

Post the 1 April 2006 your company will pay corporation tax at:

• the small companies rate of 19%,
• the full rate of 30%, or
• a marginal rate of 32.75% if your profits lie between £300,001 and £1.5m. (This assumes your company is not associated with other companies for tax purposes. Please call if you need clarification on this point)

Dividends not bonuses:-

Dividends will generally be more tax effective than bonuses if your company pays corporation tax at 19%

Dividends are also marginally better than bonuses if your company pays tax at the full rate of 30%.

Bonuses not Dividends:-

Bonuses will produce a slightly lower overall tax and National Insurance cost if your company pays tax at the marginal rate of 32.75%.

The difference in the outcome when corporation tax is paid at 32.75%, is mainly due to the extra corporation tax relief that the company receives on the gross bonus paid and the employer's NIC.

One exception in particular should be noted.

Shareholders paying tax at basic rates or lower.

Dividends are paid to shareholders less a 10% tax credit. If the  shareholder pays tax at no more than the standard rate then no additional income tax is due. Under these circumstances it will always be more beneficial to receive a dividend - even if the company pays corporation tax at 32.75%.

Remember that there are other factors that will influence the appropriate route.  For example, dividends do not count as earnings for pension premium purposes; and you might not be able to pay dividends to individuals in the same proportions that you would like to allocate a bonus and it is vital to get the administration correct!

If you would like us to review the opportunities for your company please call.

Company Tax returns for some small clubs and associations.

If you are involved in flat management companies or represent a small incorporated club or association you may be interested to read the comment that follows.

You may be aware that as from the 1st April 2006 the nil rate band for corporation tax was abolished. This taxed the first £10,000 of retained profits at zero rate. For companies described as above, this was a useful device to avoid paying corporation tax on any dividend or interest income they may have received.

There will be a need therefore for all companies with investment income to make a formal corporation tax return for the year ended 31st March 2007. Companies with small amounts of interest may find that HMRC are prepared to waive assessment - the cost of raising the paperwork would be more than the revenue raised!

If you need advice with clarifying your position, or making a corporation tax return, please call.

Do I pay NIC after retirement date?

The quick answer is no, but that is not the whole story!

For those of us who intend to work until we drop the payment of National Insurance contributions does change after you pass the statutory retirement date.

For men: Pensionable age is reached at age 65 years.

For women: Pensionable age is 60 years if born before 6 April 1950, 65 years if born after 5 April 1955, with a sliding scale in between those dates.

If you are employed you will pay no employee's National Insurance after you reach the appropriate retirement date. However, your employer will continue to pay secondary contributions for as long as you continue to work.

If you are self-employed your flat rate Class 2 contributions will cease after you reach retirement age. The same applies to Class 4 earnings related contributions.

Therefore individuals will cease to pay contributions after they reach retirement age. Employers will continue to pay their contribution, no change!

Tax Diary July/August 2006

1 July 2006 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ending 30 September 2005.

6 July 2006 - Complete and submit forms P11D return of benefits and expenses and P11D(b) return of Class 1A NIC's.

6 July 2006 - Last date to file new Tax Credit applications for the year ending 5 April 2007.

19 July 2006 - Pay Class 1A NIC's (by the 22 July 2006 if paid electronically).

19 July 2006 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ending 5 July 2006. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 July 2006)

1 August 2006 - Due date for corporation tax due for the year ending 31 October 2005.

19 August 2006 - PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ending 5 August 2006. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 August 2006)

31 August 2006 - Last date for submission of Tax Credit renewal forms.

DISCLAIMER - PLEASE NOTE: The ideas shared with you in this email are intended to inform rather than advise. Taxpayers circumstances do vary and if you feel that tax strategies we have outlined may be beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you do or do not take action as a result of reading this newsletter, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.