Good news, the exemption threshold for employment-related loans has been increased for 2014/15 from £5,000 to £10,000, as long as the balance is below this level there is no tax charge for employees or employers.
But there could be bad news for participators (Directors/Shareholders) who have been using one of these techniques to avoid the 25% temporary Corporation Tax charge:
1. Using a Partnership or LLP where the company is a partner or member as a way to get loans
2. Making arrangements that did not qualify as loans but the where value ended up in the hands on a participator
3. Making loans repaying them within 9 months and getting a new loan, the Bed and Breakfast approach
4. Transfers of assets
5. Loans channelled through third parties
New anti avoidance rules are coming, a consultation paper is planned for later this year aimed at minimising the scope for abuse and there will be new legislation in the Finance Bill 2014 and Finance Bill 2015.
Be warned!
steve@bicknells.net
