Company restructure involves changing the financial, operational and legal structure of a business to improve efficiency and profitability.

Different types of business structures can be used for their individual tax advantages, so having the correct structure is essential for tax efficiency, whether you’re looking to sell, grow or diversify your business.

We will work with you to understand your objectives, then use our technical expertise to put the optimum structure in place in a tax efficient manner. This includes consideration of the Inheritance Tax position for shareholders, the availability of Business Asset Disposal Relief and/or Substantial Shareholdings Exemption on the future sale of the business or part of it, as well as the ability of the business to attract external investment.

We will look at areas such as:

• Corporate reorganisations (including demergers) such as separating trading and investment businesses.

• Restructuring for assets protection, for example using a holding company structure to separate a property from a trading business.

• Company purchase of own shares; subject to satisfying eligibility criteria, this can be used to return money to shareholders. With HMRC clearance, you can potentially obtain a 10% tax rate through Business Asset Disposal Relief.

• Business structure advice, including ownership and advice on legal form set up and company share restructure advice.

• The Substantial shareholding exemption, which can allow the sale of subsidiaries free of capital gains tax. A detailed review of criteria required.

• Internal group restructuring, e.g. hiving up/across the trade and assets of certain divisions and then possible liquidation of dormant subsidiaries to simplify group structure.