Case study

Anthony makes annual profits of £60,000. His year end is 31 March.

A comparison of his position as a sole trader or if he incorporates (taking a salary of £5,225 and the balance as dividend) is as follows:

2007/08
£
2008/09
£
2009/10
£
Profits before salary if incorporated 60,000 60,000 60,000
Salary 5,225 5,225 5,225
Dividends if incorporated 43,820 43,272 42,724
Taxes payable:
As sole trader
£ £ £
Income tax 15,414 14,990 14,830
NIC 2,735 3,008 3,140
Total 18,149 17,998 17,970
Taxes payable:
As company
£ £ £
Income tax on salary Nil Nil Nil
NIC on salary Nil Nil Nil
Higher rate tax on dividends 3,170 3,033 2,716
Corporation tax 10,955 11,503 12,051
Total 14,125 14,536 14,767
Extra taxes payable if unincorporated £4,024 £3,462 £3,203


Analysing the figures for 2009/10:
Unincorporated business
Income tax Class 4 NIC
£ £ £
5,225
personal allowance
-
-
35,400
@20%
7,080
@8%
2,832
19,375
@40%
7,750
@1%
194
£60,000 14,830 3,026
Class 2 NIC 52 x £2.20 £114
Total tax and NIC £17,970


As company £ £ £
Profits 60,000
Less:
Salary
(5,225)
Employers’ NIC Nil
Profit chargeable to Corporation tax 54,775

Corporation tax
0 to 300,000 22.0% 54,775 12,051
300,001 to 1,500,000 29.5% Nil Nil
above 1,500,000 28.0% Nil Nil
54,775 12,051
Profit after tax (= dividend) 42,724
Higher rate income tax
- Dividend plus tax credit 47,471
- Lower tax rate band and allowances available 35,400
- Excess over basic rate band 12,071 @22.5% = 2,716