An Evolving Tax Environment
A solid understanding of the tax environment is critical when planning a merger or acquisition.
Global tax regimes vary; however, many offer allowances to assist with business Capital Gains. In particular, a review of Entrepreneurs’ Relief (“ER”) and Substantial Shareholding Exemption is critical when considering the UK M&A landscape.
Entrepreneurs’ Relief on Capital Gains Tax has now been in force in the UK since 2008. ER enables individuals to sell their interests in most businesses and to pay tax at a preferential capital gains tax rate of 10%, instead of treating the proceeds as income.
The aim is to aid entrepreneurship and to encourage reinvestment in business; however, in 2014 alone, the tax cost to the UK Treasury was £2.9 billion, significantly higher than £0.9 billion in 2008.
Understandably, HMRC has tightened the rules in many areas; however, with the growing pressure to increase tax revenues, it may only be a matter of time before Entrepreneurs’ Relief is altered.
There is speculation that the government will do this by excluding cash reserves. A simpler option would perhaps involve reducing the lifetime relief limit from £10 million or increasing the Entrepreneurs’ Relief rate.
With calls to scrap the entrepreneur’s relief from thinktank the Resolution Foundation, this year’s Autumn budget could be make or break for the tax environment, specifically the tax allowance.
Substantial Shareholding Exemption (“SSE”)
Substantial Shareholding Exemption is also an emerging part of the tax environment and can also play an important role in selling a company.
SSE is a part of this tax environment and is a long-standing relief from Corporation Tax available to trading companies who sell their shares in another trading company in which they have held at least a 10% interest of the ordinary share capital, for at least 12 months in the previous two years.
Recent changes to the tax system have removed the previous requirement for the company making the share disposal to be a “trading” company (or at least a member of a “trading” group) both before and immediately after the disposal.
Recognising the need for detailed M&A tax planning and its benefits is a vital part of preparing a business for sale.
Avondale are EME business advisors. Through our management consultancy, we support growth and scaling up. Through our M&A and corporate work, we secure investment and finance for EME businesses, help people buy and sell companies and enhance shareholder value. We recognise ambitious owners who require ambitious, specialist advisors.
Have questions about tax planning related to a business sale or acquisition?
If you would like to find out more about how we can apply this expertise to the sale of your business, please call +44(0)20 7788 8250, fill in our Contact Form or email us directly on av@avondale.co.uk.
