Let our clients tell you about us
Testimonials
The greatest compliment we receive is a client recommendation. Below are just a few of the kind words our clients have shared about working with Shipleys Tax.
The value of a close relationship
“We value the close working relationship we have with Shabeer and the specialist teams at Shipleys Tax and have found them very knowledgeable, friendly and quick to respond to our queries. Shabeer has attended several of our practice meetings and his advice regarding partnership succession issues has been invaluable. I would highly recommend Shipleys to other GP practices.”
Dr Khan, GP Surgery — Yorkshire
Dubai expat return — saved from a £1.2m UK tax bill
“After selling my business in Dubai I was planning to return to the UK the following year. A friend suggested I speak to Shipleys Tax before booking flights and it turned out to be the best decision I made. Shabeer quickly identified that I was about to walk into the temporary non-residence rules and face a UK tax bill in excess of £1 million on gains I had assumed were safely outside the UK net. With their guidance we restructured the timing of my return and my affairs completely legitimately — the tax saving was life changing. I cannot thank them enough.”
Imran — UK Entrepreneur, returning from Dubai
Fixed fee promise and no surprise bills
“One of the most frequent issues we had with our previous accountants was not being made aware, in advance, of the fees to be charged. Shipleys Tax were a breath of fresh air, always completely transparent — and no charges for any phone calls or meetings.”
FM Medical Practice — Manchester
CGT planning for dental practice sale
“Selling the dental practice I had built over 25 years was always going to be emotional, but I wasn’t prepared for the tax complexity. Abdul and the team at Shipleys Tax walked me through every option, explained the capital gains tax implications in plain English, and structured the sale in a way that saved me a significant amount of tax. Their attention to detail and proactive planning made all the difference — I only wish I had spoken to them sooner.”
Kevin — Derby, Dental Practice Owner
Property portfolio incorporation
“After Section 24 mortgage interest changes my buy-to-let portfolio had become a nightmare. I was paying tax on income I was never actually seeing. Shipleys Tax took the time to properly assess whether incorporation made sense for my specific situation — no hard sell, just honest advice. They modelled out ten years of projections, handled the entire restructuring including the SDLT planning, and now my portfolio is fit for the future. Genuine property tax specialists, not just accountants who dabble.”
Rashid — Leeds, Property Investor
Partner-led client service promise
“Accountants seem to promise the earth but don’t deliver do they? Well we found the opposite. Abdul made himself available on so many occasions and even on weekends when we had a really major panic with a sale. Really grateful to him for his advice and foresight. If we needed to talk, they listen. It really is that simple.”
Sabina — JL Healthcare
Inheritance tax mitigation and estate planning
“After losing my husband I was concerned about the inheritance tax exposure on our family estate. Shabeer took the time to properly understand our family situation before recommending anything. The advice I received on IHT mitigation was clear, practical and completely tailored to us — not an off-the-shelf solution. My children and grandchildren are now in a much better position and I have genuine peace of mind. I cannot recommend Shipleys highly enough.”
Louise — Leeds
Family Investment Company succession planning
“My family business had reached a point where I wanted to start bringing my children into ownership without giving up control or triggering a huge tax bill. Shipleys Tax designed and implemented a Family Investment Company structure that achieved everything I needed — I retain voting control, future growth passes to the next generation, and the inheritance tax position is now properly protected. Shabeer took the time to understand our family dynamics as well as the numbers, which was invaluable.”
James — Sheffield, Family Business Owner
GP practice incorporation
“Our GP partnership had been considering incorporation for years but no one could give us a straight answer on whether it was right for us. Shipleys Tax produced a detailed review of our specific circumstances, modelled out the tax savings over five years, and handled the entire incorporation process end to end. The transition was seamless and the tax savings have already exceeded their projections. A genuinely specialist firm that understands GPs.”
Gill — Manchester, GP Practice
HMRC tax investigation defence
“When HMRC opened an enquiry into my company, my existing accountants were completely out of their depth. A colleague recommended Shipleys Tax and within a week they had taken over the correspondence, identified the technical issues HMRC had got wrong, and put together a robust response. The case was closed within months with a fraction of the adjustment HMRC originally proposed. Their calm, experienced handling of what was a genuinely stressful time made all the difference. Having ex-HMRC Inspectors on their team was clearly a huge advantage.”
Dr Ahmed — Manchester, Private Practice Consultant
VAT reclaim for locum doctor agency
“We had been charging VAT on locum doctor supplies for years, assuming HMRC’s position was settled. When Shipleys Tax flagged the Isle of Wight tribunal decision to us, they didn’t just send a generic update — they actually reviewed our contracts, ran the numbers on partial exemption, and built a properly evidenced reclaim. The recovery was substantial and the process was completely painless on our side. The fact they understand both the VAT technical side and the commercial reality of running an agency made all the difference.”
Medical Staffing Agency — Yorkshire
Employee Ownership Trust exit
“I had built my company over 20 years and wanted an exit that looked after my staff rather than selling to a trade buyer who would strip it down. Shipleys Tax walked me through the Employee Ownership Trust route in detail — the pros, the cons, and honestly the complications too. They didn’t just sell me a product. When we went ahead they handled the entire transaction, including the HMRC clearance, and the result was exactly what I had hoped for. The team continues to thrive and my legacy is intact.”
David — Leeds, Business Founder
Going above and beyond
“I came to Shipleys Tax through a personal recommendation, at the time I was in a transitional period. I had already taken some steps towards self-employment, however I had no idea what I was doing and the information I received from others was inaccurate for what I needed. I needed someone to understand and help me resolve all the mess I was creating.
Abdul stepped in just at the right time. He dealt with all the paperwork, as well as giving me valuable advice on how to save tax, which was brilliant. I felt I was looked after, my needs taken care of without me feeling like being a burden.
I would recommend Shipleys to anyone that wants an experienced professional team. They are always eager to help and support your company and offer advice when needed, but above all they are always willing to go over and beyond expectation every time.”
Bella
Latest news & blogs…
COVID-19: £50k Micro-business Bounce Back Loan scheme – how it works
The government today is introducing the new micro-loan scheme for small businesses to help small businesses who may have been unable to access other government-backed Coronavirus loan schemes.
The scheme will launch from Monday 4 May and enable businesses to:
- Access loans of between £2,000 and £50,000 for up to six years, from a network of accredited lenders
- The government guarantees 100% of the loan and there won’t be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months
- After this period a fixed 2.5 per cent interest kicks in – meaning the government will pay the interest for the first 12 months
- For most firms, ‘loans should arrive within 24 hours of approval’
- Apply via a ‘simple, quick, standard form’ with ‘no complex eligibility criteria’ or ‘forward-looking tests of business eligibility’
The scheme is a not a grant but a deferred repayment loan, as such not all businesses will want to take on extra debt in uncertain times.
Unlike the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), the government is to guarantee 100 per cent of these loans (as opposed to 80 per cent).
The scheme is a not a grant but a deferred repayment loan, as such not all businesses will want to take on extra debt in uncertain times.
Bounce Back Loan (“BBL”) – how it works
- Businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days
- There is no cap on turnover for a micro-business applying for a BBL
- Loans will be from £2,000 up to 25 per cent of a business’ turnover or £50,000, whichever is lower
- Loans will be interest free for the first 12 months, and businesses can apply online through a short and simple form
- Borrowers will fill in a two-page application form in which they will certify that they have a viable business, lifting obligations on lenders to carry out their own checks
- The length of the loan is for six years but early repayment is allowed, without early repayment fees
- No personal guarantees are allowed, and no recovery action can be taken over a principal private residence or principal private vehicle
- All firms trading as of March 1 will be able to get cash
- Banks will no longer require forward financials or business plans
- If you’ve already had a coronavirus business interruption loan of up to £50,000, that will be ported across to the Bounce Back Loans scheme
- Eligible companies will be subject to standard customer fraud, anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks prior to any loan being made
- The borrower always remains 100% liable for the debt
Is your microbusiness eligible for a Bounce Back Loan?
Any business can apply for a microbusiness loan, however:
- You must be UK-based and established by March 1 2020
- Have been adversely impacted by the Coronavirus (Covid-19)
- Confirm you are currently not using a government-backed Coronavirus loan scheme (unless using BBLS to refinance a whole facility)
- You must not be in bankruptcy, liquidation or undergoing debt restructuring
Businesses will be required to fill in a short online application form on their lender’s website, which self-certifies whether they are eligible for a Bounce Back Loan facility. Eligible companies will be subject to standard customer fraud, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.
Who cannot apply
The following businesses are not eligible to apply:
- banks, insurers and reinsurers (but not insurance brokers)
- public-sector bodies
- state-funded primary and secondary schools
Where to find your Bounce Back Loan
Accredited lenders of Bounce Back Loans are listed on the British Business Bank website.
How to apply for a Bounce Back Loan
Businesses will be required to fill in a short online application form on their lender’s website, which self-certifies whether they are eligible for a Bounce Back Loan facility. Eligible companies will be subject to standard customer fraud, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.
Some State aid restrictions may apply to applications.
If you are looking to apply for a loan and need support please call us on 0114 272 4984 or email info@shipleystax.com.
COVID-19: Can changing a Will after death help you save paying unnecessary tax?
Often, the tax consequences of wills aren’t considered when they’re written and can leave an unnecessary tax bill. Read our blog to find out what a post-death variation is, when you can use it, and what generally the benefits could be.
Note: this article is intended for general guidance only and does not constitute accountancy, tax or other professional advice. We recommend you seek specific advice based on your circumstances.
With the backdrop of COVID-19 being the new norm, death is not something many wish to talk about although it surrounds us now. And as many come to terms with personal loss, they are forced to deal with issues, perhaps prematurely, surrounding the financial aspects of losing a loved one.
One area where we have been inundated is in relation to wills and whether these can be changed post death.
The short answer is, as long as certain conditions are met, it is possible to change a will after death. This is known as a post-death variation, and it can be a useful tax planning tool.
A post-death variation can be made to:
- reduce the amount of tax payable
- to change who benefits under the will
- place the assets of the deceased into trust
- to provide for someone who was left out of the will
…as long as certain conditions are met, it is possible to change a will after death. This is known as a post-death variation, and it can be a useful tax planning tool.
Conditions that must be met
In order to vary a will after the deceased has died, the following conditions must be met:
- it must be made within two years of the deceased’s death
- all beneficiaries adversely affected by the variation must agree to it and be party to it
- it must be made in writing
- it must contain a statement of intent for tax purposes, specifying that the beneficiary/beneficiaries elect for the relevant statutory provisions to apply
- if the amount of tax payable as a result of the variation increases, the personal representative must be party to it and agree to it
- it must not be made in consideration for money or money’s worth
Although there is no requirement for new beneficiaries to sign the deed of variation, this is often done as good practice.
Effect
Where a deed of variation is made, the will is treated as if applied, as so varied, at the date of the deceased’s death.
Two-year window
There is a two-year window in which a deed of variation must be made. It is possible that in the period between the date of death and the making of the deed of variation, changes have occurred. For example, the asset that is subject to the variation may have been sold. In this situation, the proceeds, rather than the actual asset, would be redirected as a result of the deed of variation.
Once made cannot be undone
Once a deed of variation has been made, it cannot be undone. It is therefore advisable to take advice prior to varying a will.
Example
Bill dies in October 2019 leaving an estate of £1.5 million split equally between his wife, Barbara, and his sons Simon and Philip.
The family agree to vary the will so as to leave everything to Barbara to benefit from the inter-spouse exemption. Bill’s unused nil rate band will be available on Barbara’s death. Her will provides for everything to be left equally between her sons.
Where a deed of variation is made, the will is treated as if applied, as so varied, at the date of the deceased’s death.
Simon and Philip must be agree to be party to the deed of variation as they are adversely affected by the redirection.
The deed of variation is made in February 2020. The changes are deemed to be effective from the date of Bill’s death as if they represented his will at that time.
If you need help with the tax implications of the above please call us on 0114 272 4984 or email at info@shipleystax.com.
Chancellor extends furlough scheme to end of June
Chancellor has confirmed today that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended by one month to 30 June to reflect continuing social distancing measures.
The move provides some certainty and allows firms from across UK to continue to protect millions of jobs. The scheme will continue to be monitored to ensure people and businesses can get back to work as soon as it’s safe to do so to drive UK economic recovery.
Chancellor has confirmed today that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended by one month to 30 June to reflect continuing social distancing measures.
The scheme, which allows firms to furlough employees with the government paying cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a maximum of £2,500, was originally open for three months and backdated from the 1 March to the end of May.
However, the Chancellor said he would keep the scheme under review and extend it if necessary.
The government has taken unprecedented action to help the economy and society bridge a period of national emergency so that as many people as possible can get back to work as the situation improves.
This week the Office for Budgetary Responsibility said the CJRS is limiting the impact on employment. Brewdog and Timpsons are among the thousands of businesses up and down the country furloughing their staff.
Future decisions on the scheme will take into account further developments on the wider measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus, as well as the responsible management of the public finances.
For help and advice on furloughing please call us on 0114 2724984 or email info@shipleystax.com.
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