01243 776938  |  info@jamestoddandco.co.uk

Taxation Advice

Looking for expert tax advisors and accountants in Chichester? At James Todd & Co, we help businesses and private clients optimise their tax position, stay compliant, and improve overall financial performance.

We take time to understand your position, explain the relevant tax implications and help you make informed decisions while meeting your needs.

Enquire Now
Speak to the Experts

Tax Planning and Compliance That Work Together

Tax compliance focuses on meeting your reporting and payment obligations. Tax planning looks ahead so that you can understand the consequences of a decision before committing to it. Effective taxation advice should consider both.

We begin by discussing your immediate concerns, financial position and longer-term objectives. Depending on the work required, we may review your income, assets, company structure, previous returns and upcoming transactions.

This allows us to identify outstanding compliance matters, explain the options available and consider whether relevant reliefs or allowances may apply. Any recommendation will depend on current legislation and your individual or business circumstances.

Our tax accountants can assist with preparing and reviewing returns, addressing outstanding matters and keeping your tax position under review as your circumstances develop.

Our taxation advice also covers trusts and estates, Inheritance Tax, Stamp Duty Land Tax and international tax matters. This includes helping clients understand the tax implications of administering an estate, planning the transfer of wealth, purchasing or transferring property, and managing overseas income, gains or assets under the current residence-based tax rules.

Speak to us early so that the tax implications can be considered before important decisions become binding.

Taxation Advice

Tax is a fact of life, whether you are launching a small business, submitting your self-employed tax return, declaring capital gains, planning for inheritance tax, or trying to ensure your company claims all the right tax allowances.

The UK tax system is also highly complex and changes rapidly, making it essential to work with a qualified accountant to ensure you have accurate advice, complete all the mandatory tax returns, and avoid unnecessarily overpaying and depleting your wealth.

James Todd & Co is a firm of Chartered Accountants with extensive knowledge and skill in navigating the challenges of the tax framework. We provide tax advice to businesses, families, individuals, and private organisations and guidance to ensure our clients understand the tax implications of each financial decision they make.

Professional Advice From the Expert Tax Accountants

One of the primary reasons tax causes so much stress is that the online guidance available can be difficult to interpret or apply to specific events, assets, or scenarios.

Many taxpayers also have multiple tax obligations and risk falling foul of an HMRC investigation even when they believe they have submitted accurate returns in good faith.

Our capable, experienced tax compliance team can provide support with a broad range of tax classifications, including the following:

    • UK income tax for private clients, older people, and those on a low income
    • National Insurance for employer, employee, and self-assessment taxpayers
    • Business taxes, director’s expenses, and employer PAYE submissions
    • Inheritance tax to help you protect your wealth for family member beneficiaries
    • Capital gains tax allowances, declarations, and eligible exemptions
    • Support for tax charities and complex organisations that need to ensure tax compliance

James Todd & Co accountants have been providing confidential advice for many years. In the first instance, we discuss your immediate finances, getting to know your personal tax position or business structure.

From there, our tax accountants will address any ongoing tax issues, recommend steps to settle outstanding tax affairs, and review past and current returns to assess whether you are paying the right amount of taxes on your professional and private income.

The Importance of Tax Planning

All businesses, self-assessment workers and individuals with a UK income arising from work, trade, asset sales, inheritances or investment are liable to pay tax. Still, your exposure to taxes will vary depending on multiple factors, such as:

  • Eligible business running costs
  • The nature of your assets and income streams
  • Property ownership
  • Personal profits or dividends received

While it is imperative you file tax returns to avoid enforcement action, an efficient tax adviser can often recommend strategies and provide professional advice to help with tax planning and avoid excessive exposure.

Please contact James Todd & Co if you require tax help, assistance submitting online returns, or assessing whether you are paying unnecessary tax from your personal or business profits.

Holding Company Tax Advice

A holding company can own shares, investments, property or other assets separately from the main trading activity.

Advice should be based on the purpose of the structure, the owners' plans and the wider tax and administrative consequences.

Holding Company
Trading
Investments
Property

Why Consider a Holding Company?

Retain & Reinvest Profits

Acquire Businesses

Separate Risk

Ownership & Succession

Potential Tax Advantages and Limitations

Potential advantages
  • ✓ Qualifying intercompany dividends may be exempt
  • ✓ Group reliefs may be available where conditions are met
  • ✓ Greater flexibility when retaining and reinvesting profits
Important limitations
  • Personal tax may arise when owners extract funds
  • Each company has separate filing and record-keeping duties
  • Additional administration must be commercially justified

Investment Holding Companies

Compare corporate and personal ownership across the relevant taxes.

An investment holding company can be used to hold cash, shares or other investments within a corporate structure. It may appeal to business owners who intend to retain funds within companies and invest for the longer term rather than withdraw all available profits personally.

The comparison between company ownership and personal ownership is not based on one tax rate. It may involve Corporation Tax, Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, dividend taxation and the tax that could arise when funds are eventually extracted from the company.

The company will also have accounting, reporting and administrative responsibilities. The treatment of investment income and gains will depend on the assets held and the activities of the company.

Holding Companies for Property Investment

Consider funding, income extraction, SDLT and future disposal.

Some investors choose to hold investment property through a limited company or a wider holding company structure. Company ownership can provide a different treatment for finance costs and retained profits, but it also creates separate tax, reporting and administrative considerations.

The appropriate structure will depend on factors such as how the purchase will be funded, whether income will be retained or withdrawn, how long the property will be held and what may happen when it is sold.

Stamp Duty Land Tax, Corporation Tax, personal tax and financing requirements may all influence the decision. Transferring an existing personally owned property into a company can also create immediate tax and transaction costs.

Our specialist property accountants can help you compare the accounting and tax implications before you purchase, transfer or restructure property investments.

We work with leading accounting software platforms

We work with a range of accounting software platforms to support the needs of different businesses. As a Xero Platinum Partner, we are part of fewer than 2% of Xero’s partner base. This status reflects our significant and sustained experience with Xero, helping businesses adopt the platform, improve their financial processes and make better use of its features.
Pro. Services Expert(1)
Trade expert(1)
Migration specialist(1)
Payroll specialist(1)
Platinum block(2)

We provide expert tax advice on:

Personal tax advice in the UK
Business tax
Capital gains tax
Inheritance tax
Trusts and estates
Non-domiciliary tax issues
Stamp duty land tax
VAT
The Construction Industry Scheme
Holding Companies
Asset protection advisors

Why Choose James Todd & Co as Your Tax Advisers?

James Todd & Co is an independent firm of Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors. Our approach combines technical knowledge with practical, relationship-led advice.

We take time to understand the people and businesses we work with. Rather than presenting tax as a series of isolated calculations, we consider how each decision may affect your wider financial and commercial position.

Our broader team can support you with accounts, tax, bookkeeping, payroll, management reporting, audit and business advice. This coordinated approach gives you access to relevant support as your needs develop.

Contact Specialist Tax Advice Accountants

To learn more about accountancy and financial advisory services, please contact us today to arrange a good time to talk.

Taxation Advice FAQs

Can a Holding Company Receive Dividends From a Subsidiary?

Many dividends received by UK companies may be exempt from Corporation Tax, subject to the relevant rules and circumstances. The full group structure and intended use of the funds should be reviewed before relying on a particular treatment.

Is an Investment Holding Company More Tax Efficient Than Personal Ownership?

Not necessarily. The comparison depends on the investments, applicable tax rates, investment period, administrative costs and how and when funds will be withdrawn from the company. Both the company and personal tax consequences must be considered.

How can your tax advisers help my small business with UK tax planning?

Our qualified tax advisors assess your business structure and financial activities to recommend tailored tax planning strategies that minimise liabilities, ensure correct tax return submissions, and make effective use of allowances and deductions.

Do you assist with HMRC enquiries and compliance checks?

Yes. We support clients through HMRC enquiries and compliance matters, offering professional representation, accurate record review, and tax return assistance to help you avoid penalties and resolve issues efficiently.

Can you advise on personal tax as well as business tax?

Absolutely. Our tax specialists work with individuals on issues such as income tax, self assessment submissions, capital gains tax liabilities, inheritance tax planning, and other personal tax matters alongside business‑focused services.

Can your tax advice help with MTD requirements?

Yes. While primarily an accounting transition requirement, we integrate tax planning with digital submission processes to ensure your records and returns meet UK MTD standards where applicable.

Is there ongoing support after my initial tax planning consultation?

We offer continued support and regular reviews so your tax strategy stays aligned with changing legislation, business circumstances and financial goals, keeping you compliant and up‑to‑date.