09/04/2026
5 Tax Strategies Your Competitors Already Know.
Most business owners overpay. Not because the rules are unclear, but because nobody told them these.
① Director's Loan Account
A DLA lets you withdraw funds from your company without triggering income tax or NI, provided repayment falls within 9 months of your company year end. Used alongside salary and dividends, it's a legitimate third lever most directors never pull.
② Annual Investment Allowance. Use It or Lose It
100% first-year relief on up to £1 million of qualifying plant and machinery. Timing a major purchase before your year end can slash your corporation tax bill. Most businesses leave this on the table through poor planning alone.
③ R&D Tax Credits. Broader Than You Think
HMRC's R&D relief isn't just for tech firms. Any SME resolving scientific or technological uncertainty may qualify, including process improvements, bespoke software, or product development. Relief can exceed the actual cost of the work.
④ Pension Contributions Through the Company
Employer pension contributions are a deductible business expense with zero employer NI. Routing contributions through the company rather than from post tax personal income means the same pound does far more work.
⑤ Holding Company and the Substantial Shareholding Exemption
Selling a subsidiary from within a group structure can mean a gain that would otherwise face 25% corporation tax is entirely exempt. Restructuring before a sale, not during, is where the saving is made.
1 Accountant works with ambitious UK business owners who want to pay exactly what they owe and not a penny more. Book a free strategy call today. Comment below and we will get in touch!
