Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

“Anticipating” Your IRS Refund Can Cost You Plenty
While accountants are reaching for aspirin, millions of Americans are reaching for some fast cash this tax season. Unfortunately, those who reach for fast cash in the form of a “refund anticipation loan” are getting hit with interest rates and...

Can You See Clearly Now?
Can You See Clearly Now? by Lady Camelot Johnny Nash's song, "I Can See Clearly Now," is one of those musical tunes that are not only dear to my heart, but a "pick-me-up" mantra as well. The lyrics are as follows: I can see clearly now, the...

Know Your Debt Consolidation Options
Nobody likes being in debt or the additional stress it adds to their life. Additionally, most individuals have some form of debt that is weighing heavily on them and they simply want to get rid of it. If you are in this situation then you might...

Speak up or Sit Down
Last night the phone rang; my wife said, "I hope it's for you". When I answered, the caller asked, "Ray, would you speak to the Lions Club next month?" First my gut said, "No"; however, my head said, "Do it". So, one month from next Tuesday, I...

The Simple $10 Debt Elimination Solution
Ask a friend what resolutions they made for 2004 and your bound to hear them reply “Pay off my credit cards.” Ask them how they planned on reaching that goal and many of them will not have a clear cut answer. The obvious first step to...

 
Karma and the New Millennium

According to a new survey carried out by Alliance & where ID_NUM=9270; Leicester, one in five small business owners view tax as their greatest concern. The Chancellor has announced in his last budget that companies with profits below œ10,000 will not have to pay any corporation tax with effect from 1 April 2002. The question to be asked is: does that announcement make incorporation a more attractive option compared to being a sole trader?

The answer is that from a tax point of view, it is advantageous to trade through a limited company as long as the income is drawn from the company by the owners as dividends from their shares and the amount of dividends drawn is restricted below the 40% band rate (i.e. œ31,063 for tax year 2002/03). That way, the owners have no further personal tax (“income tax") to pay. Moreover, dividends are not subject to national insurance contributions. This is excellent news of course. But, if dividend income falls within the higher rate bracket of income tax (i.e. above œ34,515), they will be taxed at 22.5% on the excess, which of course will increase the tax burden. The company profits are subject to corporation tax rates. Those are lower than income tax rates.

The most catastrophic scenario is when the director takes his reward from the company as salary. Then his/her salary is taxed at income tax rates (like a sole trader's income). That is because, unlike sole traders, the tax system treats companies as separate from their owners because a company is a separate legal entity. The problem is that the income taxes are higher than corporation tax rates. On top of that, they will be subject to employee and employer national insurance contributions, which of course increase the tax burden and render his position worse than even an unincorporated business (“sole trader"), because NIC Class 1 on payroll are higher than NIC Class 2 paid by self employed.

In contrast, a self employed person (“sole trader") is taxed at income tax rates on the profits from his business, which are added to his other sources of income. As it has already been mentioned, income tax rates are overall higher than corporation tax rates. On top of income tax, national insurance contributions class 4 are payable on the business profits within a specified band (7% on profits between œ4,615and œ30,420). National insurance contributions Class 2 are also paid by self-employed people, although those are lower than those payable by company directors on their salaries.

To illustrate the above, let's take a simple example. We have a limited company and a sole trader. They both make œ60,000 profits each in the tax year 2002/03. We assume that the company director takes a salary equal to the amount of his personal allowances (untaxed income) of œ4,615 and the balance as dividends. The company will pay corporation tax at 19% equal to œ10,523 and nothing else. The sole trader will pay income tax œ16,542, National insurance Class 2 œ104 and National insurance Class 4 œ1,806. Total œ18,452. The bottom line is that the person that has incorporated his business into a limited company will make a tax saving of œ7,929 compared to a sole trader! Isn't that fantastic?

Somebody might be wondering: why is this entire happening? The official explanation is that, this government, to help the economy grow, encourages people to leave as much profits within their businesses to be reinvested, instead of being taken out and spent.

The “unofficial line" is that, as a matter of fact, for years the Inland Revenue has tried to reclassify the self-employed. The 1% in NIC hike on staff salaries above the NIC threshold from next April adds to both the employees' and employers' tax burden and may more than offset the saving from the corporation tax zero rate on the first œ10,000 of profits.

Aren't there any other matters to consider in deciding whether to incorporate or not?

Higher administration costs to comply with company law,


payroll and bookkeeping is one factor. Another issue is pension planning. Extracting profits out of the company as dividends rather than salary means that there will be no “net relevant earnings" and therefore pension contributions can't be made. But the advent of stakeholder pension plans has meant that contributions up to œ3,600 per year can be made without the need for any earnings. If a person does not wish to transfer funds in existing plans into stakeholder because of high charges, there is a way out: the best net relevant earnings (i.e. salary) in five consecutive years can be used for making contributions for the next five years, even if there were no salaries in the remainder four years. It is comforting to know that entitlement to basic state pension is not affected by taking a salary from the company at the level of a person's personal allowances i.e. œ4,615.

Furthermore, an individual may decide not to bother with pension plans and instead invest in ISA. Often, these can be more efficient than pensions but that's beside the scope of this article. If that option is taken, no salary is necessary.

Another factor is business motoring. It might be tax advantageous for an unincorporated business that owns many cars not to incorporate because if these cars have some private use there will be benefits in kind taxed on the users. These are generally higher than the straight apportionment between private and business for all car running costs in the case of sole traders.

The conclusion is that there can be considerable tax savings waiting the sole trader who decides to go down the road to incorporation. But, one needs to proceed with caution and careful planning. And don't forget the biggest advantage of incorporation, which is Protection from Personal Liability. Incorporating is one of the best ways to protect a business owner from personal liability. Shareholders of a company are generally not liable for the obligations of the company. Creditors of a company may seek payment from its assets, but not the assets of the shareholders. This means that business owners may engage in business without risking their homes or other personal property.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Article. I hope you've found it useful. If you have, please drop me an email and let me know what you think.

You can email me at...

constantinesavva@accamail.com

Alternatively, you can visit our website at http://www.tax-accounting-london.info and read a series of other full length articles that present the complete picture on a variety of interesting topics.

If you would like to know how to save tax and make sure that more of your hard earned cash stays with you to expand your business and increase your profits, we have a Free Special Report addressed to small businesses either starting up or already in business. This Exclusive Free Special Report is available automatically when you subscribe to our regular series of Free Newsletters on finance advice and tax planning by visiting our subscription area on our website www.tax-accounting- london.info. It is complied from real life situations dealing with small business tax affairs for over 10 years and it is loaded with down-to-earth advice and practical, understandable examples.

LEGAL NOTICE
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this article, the author cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. Proper professional advice should be taken at all times.

We retain copyright for the contents of this article. Any unauthorized copying or onward distributions are prohibited without our consent.

William A. Peyton is a U.S. Citizen and is retired from the U.S. Postal Service, where he served as a supervisor and computer expert. Mr. Peyton holds a BA Degree in philosophy and is a life member of Mensa. He is married with one stepson.


 

Kiplinger.com - Timely, Trusted Personal Finance Advice, Financial ...
Investing, personal finance, calculators and financial advice.
www.kiplinger.com
 
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine - Your Guide to Making Money ...
Subscibe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine to help you manage your finances. Achieve your financial goals and objectives with help from our ...
www.kiplinger.com
 
Personal finance advice, news - CNNMoney
News & advice on retirement planning, college saving, taxes, mortgages, autos, real estate, investing and more from CNNMoney.com.
money.cnn.com
 
Business, financial, personal finance news - CNNMoney
Combines practical personal finance advice, calculators and investing tips with business news, stock quotes, and financial market coverage from the editors ...
money.cnn.com
 
Personal Finance, Personal Finances, and Financial Advice - Forbes.com
Personal Finance - Get financial advice and information from Forbes.com.
www.forbes.com
 
SmartMoney.com — Investing, Saving and Personal Finance
SmartMoney has daily stock and mutual fund recommendations, hourly market updates, personal finance investing research tools and advice, ...
www.smartmoney.com
 
Personal Finance Home (Personal Finance: Personal Finance ...
Links to articles covering a range of topics where monetary planning is or should be involved.
www.smartmoney.com
 
Personal Finance - Front Page
Read the details in Personal Finance this Saturday. Also in this weekend's edition:; You should take financial services companies' marketing material with a ...
www.persfin.co.za
 
Get stock quotes, market news, rates, and more - Netscape Money ...
Market News. • Market News. • News Search. Financial Planning. • Finance Calculators. • Saving for College. • Personal Finance ...
money.netscape.cnn.com
 
globeandmail.com: Personal Finance
Personal Finance. Home · National · British Columbia · Prairies · Ontario · Quebec · Atlantic · Politics · World · Americas · Europe · Asia-Pacific ...
www.theglobeandmail.com
 
Personal Finance - MSNBC.com
Answer Desk: Submit your question about personal finance or the world of business ... Personal Finance. • Learn more about RSS ...
www.msnbc.msn.com
 
Personal Finance Newsletter
7600 Leesburg Pike, West Building Suite 300 • Falls Church, VA 22043 703-394-4931 (ph) • 703-905-8100 (fax) • personalfinance@kci-com.com ...
www.pfnewsletter.com
 
Personal Finance Advice - Personal Finance Management - Personal ...
Tips and stories for managing your personal finances.
www.marketwatch.com
 
CNBC.com: Personal Finance
Investing home page features investment tools like stock quotes, charts, a portfolio manager and much more. Plus market news and financial commentary from ...
moneycentral.msn.com
 
Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Business: Personal ...
Knowing retirement, health plans can help avert disaster · At one firm, financial crisis crushed 401(k)s, insurance · Personal finance news briefs ...
www.dallasnews.com
 
Morningstar: Personal Finance
Sharpen your personal finance and investing skills with Morningstar. Access articles covering stocks, mutual funds, bonds, retirement, 401(k)s and 529 plans ...
www.morningstar.com
 
Fool.com: Personal Finance
Personal Finance - The Motley Fool exists to educate, amuse, and enrich the individual investor; to prove to you that the best person to manage your money ...
www.fool.com
 
Fool.com: Investing, Stock Research, and Personal Finance
Expert advice on picking stocks, investing for retirement, and dealing with life's major personal finance decisions.
www.fool.com
 
Telegraph | Money
Market news from the Telegraph newspaper online. Includes money product finders.
www.telegraph.co.uk
 
Compare Prices and Read Reviews on Personal Finance at Epinions.com
Epinions has the best comparison shopping information on Personal Finance. Compare prices from across the web and read reviews from other consumers on ...
www.epinions.com
 
 

 

Content Menu
  • 10 easy maintenance tips vs piling on the chaos

  • 10 online dating safety tips for seniors

  • 10 powerful self defense tips for women

  • 10 steps to a dynamic relationship

  • 10 steps to a stress free holiday

  • 10 things you should know about credit cards

  • 10 tips to reduce your exposure and prevent identity theft

  • 12 signs it is really time to leave your job

  • 19 178 identity theft victims per day are you one of them

  • 1 2 3 sort your way to clarity

  • 1 2 3 stretch your mind

  • 21 no cost or extremely low cost ways to remind your special other of how much you love them

  • 3 secrets to creating passion excitement in your partner about your business

  • 4 keys to sharing intimacy

  • 5 steps to improving communication

  • 6 key reasons men and women cheat on each other

  • 7 secrets to having a financially healthy family

  • 7 things to teach your kids about money

  • about natural mineral makeup

  • accurate psychic advice

  • add a few dollars to your mortgage payment

  • african americans a look in the mirror part 1

  • african americans a look in the mirror part 2

  • anticipating your irs refund can cost you plenty

  • are you an impulse buyer

  • are you ready or not for a relationship

  • awareness

  • a 23 federal sales tax but wait

  • a crash course in tarot for newbies 1

  • a simple effective tool to get and stay organized

  • bankruptcy all about chapter 7 bankruptcy

  • bay leaf ritual for the new year

  • benefits of a relocation service

  • beyond the pain and stigma to healing

  • be cautious when using your nest egg as an atm

  • blair bribes parents and children into higher education

  • blooming boomers women and retirement

  • brilliance in balance

  • bring balance to life

  • budget leftovers

  • call of the wild

  • can christians be capitalists

  • can i afford this

  • can you see clearly now

  • cat insurance

  • chasing after child support

  • checking out potential tenants

  • check out the cheaters checklist

  • childcare finances some money basics

  • children and divorce things to consider when youre staying married only for your children

  • choosing a residential lot

  • christmas gifts making your shopping easier

  • college debt how to avoid it and how to get out of it

  • conscience

  • constructive tips about retrenchment

  • coping with difficult people

  • creatively speaking

  • credit card blues

  • crisis fund

  • dating your spouse planning an evening on the town no kids

  • deliberate attraction

  • disability insurance

  • discover your housing value system

  • divorce and children things to consider when youre staying married only for your children

  • divorce and children things to consider when you re staying married only for your children

  • domestic violence the fact behind the myths

  • dont ignore the signs how emotional infidelity can ruin your marriage

  • dont ignore the signs how emotional infidelity can ruin your relationship

  • dont worry about scrooge this christmas by shopping online youll save plenty of time and money

  • eight key nutrients to help prevent breast cancer and where to find them

  • ethnic wedding traditions

  • e book on russian women part 10

  • faqs about internet dating

  • financially stable kids prepared for college

  • financial freedom

  • financial illiteracy is a major threat to americas future

  • financial responsibility

  • first checking account when is it time

  • fun treasure hunt

  • getting kids involved in garage yard sales

  • getting over the christmas giving blues take the christmas budget challenge

  • getting paid to drive

  • get married and have fun for the rest of your life

  • get married to a guy you can have fun with forever

  • get serious about your money

  • get started managing your money

  • giving thanks for online opportunities

  • goals only work when you do

  • go ahead make dads day

  • heal thyself first

  • helpful hints for first time home buyers

  • help your marriage survive the rough spots

  • heres what they really want for christmas

  • here s what they really want for christmas

  • homeownership could it be in your future

  • home financing helpful online resources

  • home for the holidays happy times right

  • honey i cant afford the kids

  • honey rich is better

  • how did i get in this mess

  • how does an under 18 female buy on line fashion without a credit card

  • how not to get ripped off at the grocery store

  • how to be a miracle maker create the love money body and spirit you want

  • how to be motivated without a motivator

  • how to boost your credit score

  • how to choose and have the type of retirement you really want

  • how to get everything you want out of life

  • how to get through a bad day

  • how to get what you really want

  • how to live with your teenagers untidy room

  • how to make money

  • how to recognize elder abuse and protect its victim

  • how to save money on your holiday gift shopping

  • how to save your home from foreclosure

  • how to sing the song of the unsung hero on your team

  • how to stick to your budget

  • how to take advantage of low mortgage rates and not get burned

  • identity theft and the internet

  • identity theft dont be a victim

  • identity theft impacting your taxes

  • identity theft the perfect victim your child

  • if you want a date promote yourself

  • index

  • is online dating right for you

  • is your life out of control then do something about it

  • i am woman hear me roar the female homebuyer and seller part 2

  • i love that big tax refund

  • karma and the new millennium

  • kippers or red herrings

  • know your debt consolidation options

  • landlords checking out potential tenants

  • lessons about marriage learnt from riding a bike

  • lets talk about probate

  • life insurance the universe and everything

  • life insurance why theres no need to be a desperate housewife

  • life insurance wise investment in personal finance or excessive caution

  • life lessons for women

  • like it or not you have a score to settle

  • lovers quarrel

  • loves most overlooked expression

  • love s most overlooked expression

  • making room for two how to adjust to life with a roommate

  • marital bliss

  • marriage finances 101

  • marriage saving advice have a soul connection with your spouse even if all seems lost

  • memory timebox

  • money and marriage 101

  • money is a family affair

  • money making money saving tips for college students

  • money management with a new spouse

  • money worries

  • mortgage refinance 4 ways to know its time to refinance your house

  • mothers day 5 gift ideas guaranteed to make any new mom happy

  • moving home a stressful time

  • need a job

  • no invitation needed sacred children series 3 of 3

  • only you can prevent money problems

  • on the hunt for a job build professional resources

  • our kids and their money

  • paying off your credit cards and other bills

  • pay off debt now 5 steps to getting your finances in order

  • picking a new dentist on your new dental plan

  • picking a new dentist on your new dental plans

  • planning ahead

  • planted upside down

  • precious gems of wisdom

  • preparing for the worst

  • preparing your child to move

  • professionally done invitations set the tone

  • push the right button

  • reasons for breach in marital relations

  • refund anticipation loans more harm than help

  • rotator

  • safe cyber dating

  • saving money over the christmas period

  • self esteem

  • setting your financial priorities

  • setting your wedding budget

  • share little random acts of kindness

  • shoppers beware tis the season

  • show that you care with car magnets

  • signs of infidelity 21 categories of telltale signs

  • single mother on a budget

  • some initial thoughts on creating wealth

  • sorting your money

  • speak up or sit down

  • spending more than you make

  • springtime money laundering

  • spring is sprung

  • starting over

  • stress reduction tips for parents

  • surviving life after divorce

  • tackling the transition the confident navigation of a career change

  • take the first step action is the cure

  • ten financial tips for women

  • ten ways simplify your financial life

  • theres more to preparedness than food

  • the 6 top causes of dry hair 4 of them potentially serious

  • the attack defense of the mail order bride business part two

  • the avoid debt secret

  • the changing shape of family finances

  • the dangers of a me first marriage

  • the economics of true love

  • the guide to changing your name after marriage

  • the heat of desire

  • the prenuptial agreement dilemma

  • the quest for a quality nursing home

  • the simple 10 debt elimination solution

  • the untoldtruth about mentors and why you dont need one

  • thinking about a resort retirement home

  • times are changing for woman entrepreneurs

  • tips to follow before you make an online student credit card application

  • top 10 secrets to avoiding marital money chaos

  • top 10 ways to jumpstart your new years finances

  • top ten things to build a bridge and get over

  • travel health insurance reimbursement depends on following the rules

  • trust in marriage

  • try to avoid probate

  • two income households

  • unique gifts ideas for all seasons

  • university a course in personal finance

  • using the internet to manage your familys finance

  • vacation values

  • value cant be priced

  • warning for parents your children may be having lead for lunch

  • wedding budgeting tips

  • whats your communication style

  • what are you planning to achieve by the end of the year

  • what every work from home want to be should know before diving into telecommuting

  • what is ayurvedic medicine

  • what is your fashion style

  • what it takes to start an offline business in retirement

  • what to pay when you cant pay everything

  • what to pay when you can t pay everything

  • what you need to know before starting a low carb diet

  • where does your money go taxes

  • whole brained grandparenting the baby gift

  • who will be their guardian

  • why budgets dont work and how to fix it

  • why budgets don t work and how to fix it

  • why corporate wellness programs dont work and what does

  • why have a budget analysis

  • why mothers should engage in home business

  • why student loans are better than credit cards

  • why talk about your finances to strangers

  • why women make better investors than men

  • why worry about your children

  • will your children take a one way ticket to needle death

  • women and friendship is it as good or better than chocolate

  • women retirement and social security

  • work as a spiritual calling 7 steps to heeding your lifes calling

  • wouldnt it be nice if time grew on trees

  • yes you can budget

  • your checking account

  • your consumer rights

  • your finances

  • your home and your golden years

  • your instinct is your life blood says author

  • your social security

  • you lost your debit card how much do you pay

  • you want to be a stay at home parent