Commercial Tax

Tax is a primary consideration when contemplating commercial transactions, whether it is mergers & acquisitions, management buyouts, property acquisitions or business reorganisations.

We recognise that commerciality is key for clients, and are known for delivering jargon-free bespoke advice targeted to each client’s needs.

Our clients come from a wide range of sectors including financial services, hotels, investment management, retail and real estate development. We act for a large number of substantial family businesses, giving integrated advice to all the stakeholders and for high-net-worth individuals and international families structuring their investments into the UK.

Funds

We have broad experience in establishing funds and advising on complex tax issues that may arise, often with an international aspect.

Property tax

We advise on tax issues when buying or selling real estate, and on landlord and tenant issues, including VAT, capital gains tax, corporation tax, stamp duty land tax, capital allowances, and the construction industry scheme. We also advise on the tax efficient structuring of property ownership and sales.

Restructuring

We advise clients on hiving off group companies, splitting businesses into divisions, and putting in place holding companies. We also advise on taxes, from stamp taxes to corporate tax, and the personal tax position of the individuals that own and manage the business.

Employment tax

We advise on all aspects of remuneration and share-based incentives for employees and directors. We also advise internationally mobile individuals and their employers on structuring salaries and benefits from a UK tax perspective.

Track Record

• Advising a set of offshore trustees on a buyback of shares in a UK company and achieving a significant saving of tax through a restructuring of their holding.
• Advising a family business on a business reorganisation involving the creation of new shares which can be freely transferred without immediate tax cost.
• Advising a family business group on a division of the disparate businesses into a trading and non-trading group which could then be partitioned between the family.
• Advising a UK group on the rationalisation of a basket of loans without adverse tax charges arising.
• Advising on the demerger of a trading enterprise from an investment trading group without tax cost, clearing the matter with HMRC and ensuring that growth of value is eligible for business reliefs.