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Group Structure Company Setup- Tax Benefits of Umbrella Company

Aug 19, 2023 | Business, UK Accounting

Are you tired of paying high personal dividends and director tax rates? Have you considered an umbrella company setup? Discover how a group structure company setup can save you money on taxes and provide other benefits for your business.

Group Structure Company Setup: Tax Benefits

In the UK, a group structure company setup can provide significant tax advantages for businesses. One example is that it allows the distribution of dividends and profits between companies to avoid high personal dividends and director tax rates.

This blog post will explore other tax benefits of an umbrella company setup and how it can help your business save money.

What is a Group Structure Company Setup?

A group structure company setup involves a holding or umbrella company owning several subsidiary companies. The subsidiary companies operate independently, but the holding company provides centralized management and control.

The holding company can manage the finances of the subsidiaries, including dividends and profits.

The subsidiaries can take advantage of the holding company’s resources and expertise by having a group structure company setup. The holding company can provide support in areas such as finance, HR, and IT.

Additionally, the subsidiaries can benefit from economies of scale, reduced costs, and increased purchasing power.

Tax Benefits of an Umbrella Company Setup

The following are the tax benefits that a group structure company setup can enjoy:

Dividend Distribution

Dividend distribution is a significant advantage of an umbrella company setup. It allows the distribution of profits and dividends between companies to avoid high personal dividend and director tax rates.

This tax-saving strategy can be especially beneficial for businesses with multiple companies, as distributing profits and dividends to different companies can take advantage of the lower tax rates that apply to each company.

Loss Offsetting

Another significant advantage of an umbrella company setup is the ability to offset losses against profits. If one company in the group structure incurs a loss, it can be offset against the profits of another company in the group, reducing the overall tax liability.

This can be a beneficial tax strategy for businesses that operate in industries with high volatility or cyclical markets. 

For example, if a business has two companies, Company A and Company B, Company A generates a profit of £500,000 while at the same time, Company B incurs a loss of £100,000. The earnings of Company A can be distributed to Company B to offset the loss.

This would result in a lower tax liability for both companies, and the loss incurred by Company B can be carried forward to offset future profits, reducing tax liability in the future.

However, keep in mind that the process of offsetting losses can be complex and subject to strict regulations. In addition, the rules around loss relief can vary depending on the type of loss and the company’s circumstances.

It is recommended to seek expert advice from a tax professional to make sure that you are following the correct procedures and maximizing your tax benefits while staying compliant with regulations.

VAT Grouping

An umbrella company setup can also provide VAT benefits for businesses. Businesses can take advantage of VAT grouping by having multiple companies under one umbrella.

Furthermore, if one company in the group incurs VAT on its purchases, it can recover the VAT from HMRC. The recovered VAT can then be offset against the VAT owed by other companies in the group, reducing the overall VAT liability.

Capital Gains Tax Benefits

An umbrella company setup can also provide benefits in relation to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). If one company in the group structure sells an asset at a profit, the CGT liability can be reduced by offsetting the gain against the losses incurred by another company in the group.

This can result in a lower overall CGT liability for the group.

Tax Returns Consolidation

Furthermore, a group structure company setup allows for consolidating tax returns, reducing administrative costs, and improving efficiency. Rather than each subsidiary filing a separate tax return, the holding company can file a single tax return for the entire group.

This reduces the workload for the finance team and can improve the accuracy of tax filings. Additionally, businesses can take advantage of tax planning opportunities by filing a consolidated tax return, such as loss offsetting and tax credits.

Conclusion

A group structure company setup can provide tax benefits by distributing dividends and profits between companies, offsetting losses against profits and gains, VAT grouping, and consolidating tax returns, resulting in tax savings and improved operational efficiency.

Consult us at Sterlinx Global for further tax and business advice for your unique needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I form a group of companies?

To form companies under a group structure company setup, you will need to create multiple separate legal entities with their own names, addresses, and bank accounts.
 
These companies can be owned and controlled by a holding company, which acts as a parent company to the subsidiaries.

Are there any risks with setting up a UK offshore company? 

An umbrella company provides a framework for multiple subsidiary companies to operate under a single parent company.

This structure offers benefits such as centralized management, shared resources, tax advantages, and liability protection for each subsidiary company.

The subsidiaries can share the parent company’s liability insurance coverage and legal protection, allowing them to operate with greater security and confidence.

Are there any downsides to setting up an umbrella company?

While there are benefits to setting up an umbrella company, there are also potential downsides to consider.

For example, the cost of establishing and maintaining multiple entities can be expensive, and the complexity of the structure may require additional legal and accounting expertise.

Additionally, the risk of one company’s actions affecting the entire group should also be considered.

Related posts:

 A Quick Guide to the UK Corporate Tax System

How to Save on Tax in the UK by Having an Offshore Business

Commercial Accounting: 7 Helpful Tips You Need to Know Before Starting Your Business

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