Discorporation Relief is new, it came in to effect from 1st April 2013 and is currently available until 31st March 2018.
HMRC estimate that 610,000 businesses are eligible to use the Disincorporation Relief.
Here is the HMRC example from the Consultation document:
Window Cleaners Ltd a one man company that incorporated on 1 April 2004 and the shareholder, Mr Smith, had previously carried on the business as a self employed individual before 1 April 2002. Turnover is below the VAT threshold. The business has an established repeat customer base. The only significant business assets are a van, equipment and goodwill. The van and equipment are worth around £3,000 and the goodwill is valued at £15,000, together worth £18,000. The goodwill was acquired from Mr Smith for £5,000 on 1 April 2004. The Capital Gains rules apply and Corporation Tax is payable @ 20 per cent.
Tax chargeable on goodwill:
If the assets are distributed back to the shareholder (Mr Smith) on 1 February 2012 the following charge would arise on the goodwill:
· Corporation Tax on goodwill gain £8,540 (£15,000 – £5,000 less indexation £1,460 (£5,000 x 0.292)) @ 20 per cent = £1,708
There is no Corporation Tax to pay on any gains made on the transfer of the van and equipment because these are chattels worth no more than £6,000.
Shareholder charges:
Mr Smith will also have to consider what tax he will have to pay on the value of the distributed assets of £18,000. The amount of charge will depend on whether the assets are treated as income or capital.
If distributed as capital, the actual amount of Capital Gains Tax that Mr Smith will have to pay will depend on a number of factors, including how much was paid for the shares, whether incorporation relief was claimed, whether Entrepreneurs’ Relief conditions are satisfied and availability of capital loss relief.
Assuming £100 was paid for the shares, that Mr Smith has no other gains in the tax year (and so the annual exempt amount of £10,600 can be used against the gain) and that he is entitled to Entrepreneurs’ Relief, then the amount of Capital Gains Tax to pay would be:
· (£18,000 – £100 – £10,600) x 10 per cent = £730
If the assets are distributed as income (i.e. a dividend) Mr Smith will only have to pay Income Tax if any part of the dividend is liable to Higher Rate Tax.
Criteria to qualify for disincorporation relief
Below is a basic summary of the main qualifying criteria:
- The company must have been operational for 12 months and the shareholders must have held their shares for 12 months
- The business must be transferred as a going concern to the existing company shareholders
- The transfer must become effective before 31st March 2018
- All assets, including goodwill, capital assets, trading stock and cash, must be included in the transfer. The value of those assets must be no greater than £100,000
- Recipients of the new “disincorporated” entity must either be individuals or partnership members (not members of an LLP)
Why would you want to disincorporate?
- Reduced compliance – Company Accounts, Corporation Tax Returns, PAYE, Annual Returns
- Reduced Costs – Accountancy Fees
- Cash Based Accounting
steve@bicknells.net
