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Limited Companies and how we help
One of the available options for a business is to operate as a limited company. This will provide access to a number of tax planning strategies and of course a limited liability status. There is also a prestige in operating as a limited company but you will lose some of your privacy. As directors’ and shareholders' personal details and abbreviated accounts have to be filed and are open to public view.
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A limited company is a seperate legal entity that is able to enter into contracts in its own name. The fact that the company is a separate legal entity from its owners is very important as it means that all the company's liabilities are the responsibility of the company and not that of the directors and shareholders.
The only exception is if you, as director of the company, offer a bank or other creditor a personal guarantee to repay the company's debt. In that instance you then become personally liable to repay the debt if the company is not able to.
So what are the pros and cons of incorporating your business?
Significant advantages:
We are more than willing to discuss your individual requirements and undertake a proper risk assessment thus enabling you to decide on the best way forward for your enterprise.
Whether you proceed as a limited company or as an unincorporated business, our assessment will indicate the most beneficial tax arrangements available to you and help you to make sensible choices about how you can minimise your commercial risks.
The only exception is if you, as director of the company, offer a bank or other creditor a personal guarantee to repay the company's debt. In that instance you then become personally liable to repay the debt if the company is not able to.
So what are the pros and cons of incorporating your business?
Significant advantages:
- Limited liability status - as explained above, the company is a separate legal entity and this can protect your personal assets from business creditors if for any reason the company is unable to clear all of its debts and has to cease trading. Operating as such is especially useful if there are significant risks associated with your business activity.
- Possible double taxation - the company pays corporation tax on its profits and can only distribute the remaining profits, known as retained profits, to directors and shareholders. This can give rise to tax being paid by both the company and by the directors or shareholders when they extract money from the company.
- More cost - the professional costs for setting up the company and for preparing company accounts and tax returns can be higher than those you would expect to pay if you were self-employed. There are then additional costs involved with various Companies House requirements
- Audit requirement - If your company exceeds certain turnover limits, or is in a particular trade sector, an audit may be required thus incurring further costs. We can advise on this, but most small companies will be exempt from annual audits.
We are more than willing to discuss your individual requirements and undertake a proper risk assessment thus enabling you to decide on the best way forward for your enterprise.
Whether you proceed as a limited company or as an unincorporated business, our assessment will indicate the most beneficial tax arrangements available to you and help you to make sensible choices about how you can minimise your commercial risks.
How we can help
At Tax Affinity Accountants have a whole range of accountancy services specifically tailored for limited companies. We will help you make the most of your venture with experienced accountancy advice using our HMRC approved agent status. Our range of advice includes:
✓ Initial Risk Assessment
✓ Year End Accounts
✓ Bookkeeping
✓ Payroll
✓ VAT Returns
✓ Initial Risk Assessment
✓ Year End Accounts
✓ Bookkeeping
✓ Payroll
✓ VAT Returns