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Are you unsure whether your business is liable to pay Corporation Tax in the UK? Read on as we explain what the current Corporation Tax rules are, how to calculate what you may owe and how we can work with you to meet your obligations if eligible. 

What is Corporation Tax?

Corporation tax is a tax that UK companies pay on their profits to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). This is in conjunction with income tax paid by individuals on their income. 

Companies won’t receive a bill stating tax due. Directors have the responsibility to ensure they report and pay taxes by the deadline. 

Who pays Corporation Tax?

HMRC states that all UK-based limited companies are liable to pay corporation tax on their taxable profits. These profits include trading profits and chargeable gains.  

A limited company with a head office outside of the UK and premises in the UK will pay tax on the taxable profits derived from business activities in the UK.  

HMRC says that clubs, co-operatives, and unincorporated associations, like sports clubs or community groups, must pay corporation tax.  

Current UK Corporation Tax rates 

The current Corporation Tax rate in the UK for all eligible companies and unincorporated associations are:

Profit banding Corporation Tax rate
Under £50,000 19% small profits rate
Over £250,000  25% main tax rate
Between £50,000 and £250,000  25% main tax rate less marginal relief 

Current Corporation Tax rates differ for ‘ring fence companies’. These are companies that are “involved in the exploration for, and production of, oil and gas in the UK and on the UK continental shelf”. The applicable tax rates for corporation tax are:

Profit banding Corporation Tax rate
Under £50,000 19% small profits rate 
Over £250,000  30% main tax rate 
Between £50,000 and £250,000 30% main tax rate less marginal relief 

Taxable profits include chargeable gains which are the sale or disposal of assets. This includes land, property, equipment, machinery and shares. 

We can work with you to calculate any chargeable gains from your assets, as this can be a complex area. 

How is Corporation Tax calculated? 

If you employ us to prepare your company accounts and company tax returns, we can calculate your corporation tax bill. This includes your taxable profits, chargeable gains, capital losses and capital allowances.  

When we calculate corporation tax bills for clients, we don’t base it solely on the profits from your company accounts. Accounting profits are adjustments for tax addbacks and deductions, such as capital allowances. 

Chargeable gains can be calculated as the sale proceeds or market value of the asset being sold or disposed of less the amount paid for the asset. You can also include any buying, selling or improvement costs. 

Assets acquired prior to December 2017 will need to use the Indexation Allowance Guide from HMRC. This will allow you to determine the “inflation factor” to apply to the figure paid for the asset. Then you can deduct this amount from the sale price. If you acquire an asset after December 2017, you cannot claim any indexation allowance. 

Any improvements made to your asset prior to sale can also be calculated using the same inflation factor and subtracted from the sale price. 

When is Corporation Tax due? 

To avoid penalties and interest, make sure you follow tax deadlines when filing company tax returns and paying taxes. 

Corporation tax due date is typically nine months and one day after the end of your last accounting period. This is applicable to all eligible companies with taxable profits of less than £1.5 million. Those with taxable profits above this threshold must pay their corporation tax in instalments.  

How to pay Corporation Tax

If your company is registered and has filed a tax return, you can pay your corporation tax in different ways.  

Payment Payment Speed
Faster payments (online or telephone) Same or next working day
CHAPS  Same or next working day 
Bacs  Three working days 
Direct Debit  Three working days 
Debit or corporate credit card  Three working days 
Bank or Building Society  Three working days 
Direct Debit (if not previously set up) Five working days

If you pay your corporation tax bill ahead of schedule, HMRC is duty bound to pay you interest. The rate is based on the Bank of England base rate and is currently base rate minis 1% with a lower limited of 0.5%. 

How we can help you 

Our Corporation Tax services cover the registration of limited companies or unincorporated associations for Corporation Tax, the preparation of company accounts, company tax returns and the calculation of Corporation Tax bills. 

We can even liaise with you so that you never miss a Corporation Tax deadline again. 

To arrange a free initial consultation on our Corporation Tax services, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly, experienced team today on 01628 617100 or drop us a line using our online enquiry form to get the ball rolling. 

Date published 29 Jul 2020 | Last updated 20 Mar 2024

This article is intended to inform rather than advise and is based on legislation and practice at the time. Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary and if you feel that the information provided is beneficial it is important that you contact us before implementation. If you take, or do not take action as a result of reading this article, before receiving our written endorsement, we will accept no responsibility for any financial loss incurred.

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