Clear and hassle-free advice for GPs
Doctors
Clear and hassle-free advice for GPs
Shipleys have been using their specialist knowledge in the healthcare sector for over 10 years. We act for GPs practices of all sizes from small single handed practices to larger partnerships and corporates, as well as Pharmacy linked GP practices, health clinics and consultants.
The health industry has seen a surge in growth in recent years, achieved against a back drop of challenges from fundamental reforms to the NHS. GPs need to be proactive with their business model and look to provide more of the advanced and enhanced services on top of essential services to maintain incomes and profitability.
Sections
- GPs Principals and Practices
- GP Locums, Registrars and Consultants
- Tax planning services for Doctors
GPs Principals and Practices
At Shipleys Tax we understand the specific needs of general practices and the partners involved. Fundamental reforms to the NHS mean GP practices need to continuously re-position themselves under the new system and be able to devote maximum time to administration of patient care. This is where our team can help by providing specialist knowledge on streamlining accounting and tax matters leaving GPs to concentrate on patient care.
Why do you need a specialist GP accountant?
• Knowledge of NHS general practice and the expert advice we provide can be instrumental
• Understanding how practices are funded (from global sum to QOFs ).
• Be familiar with the GP contract reforms, GMS statement of financial entitlements, PMS contracts and the NHS pension scheme.
• Be up to speed on practice based commissioning (PBC), APMS contracts and the developing primary care market.
• Deal competently and promptly with all taxation matters and with GPs’ superannuation.
Why us?
We aim to do more than produce the annual accounts and handle the partners’ tax affairs.
Personal service – you will deal with one particular partner and their same support team and not be passed around
Timely – the annual accounts will be prepared to agreed time scales and we will visit the practice to discuss
Prompt – we will deal promptly with routine queries, telephone calls and emails and advise on bookkeeping, cash flow and monitoring partners’ drawings without making additional charges.
Tax planning – we will discuss ways to minimise your overall tax liability and spot opportunities.
We have nationwide coverage and are happy to come and visit you.
Cost
What our basic annual fee covers:
• Annual accounts preparation.
• Meeting GPs to discuss draft accounts.
• Partnership tax return and tax computation..
• Advising on projected profits and tax liability.
• Dispensary accounts.
• Partners’ personal tax returns.
• GP certificate of NHS pensionable income.
• Ad hoc email and telephone queries
• Opportunities for tax planning for both business and personal affairs
We also advise on:
• VAT accounting.
• Setting up a limited company for non-NHS or locum income.
• Setting up a limited company social enterprise for PBC/APMS purposes.
• Handling HM Revenue & Customs’ investigation into the practice.
• Payroll
• NHS superannuation
• Specific tax planning strategies for reducing IHT, CGT and Stamp Duty
GP Locums, Registrars and Consultants
We have acted for GP Locums, Consultants and Registrars for many years and understand the needs of the medical profession.
As a GP Locum, Registrar or consultant you have very specific accounting and tax needs which may not necessarily be appreciated by a non specialist advisor.
What does the service include?
• Advising on employed vs self employed status and NIC implications
• Proactive advice on tax allowable business expenses, professional subscriptions and general tax planning for locums
• Advice on employing a spouse
• Preparation of annual Accounts and tax returns for HMRC
• Ad hoc telephone and email advice
As well as providing accounting and income tax advice we can also advise on the following areas:
• Incorporation of your business via a limited company
• Advice on tax treatment of superannuation
• Advice on completing superannuation certificates (GP solo, Forms A&B)
• Inheritance tax planning
• Property tax planning
We have nationwide coverage and act for GP Locums, Registrars and Consultants clients based throughout the UK.
Why us?
• Save you money – proactive services ensuring you are aware of tax savings
• Knowledge you can rely on – we have a wealth of tax expertise in the healthcare sector
• Planning – ensuring you are aware of tax liabilities and payment dates enabling you to plan your cashflow
• Peace of mind – we have many years of experience in dealing with the tax affairs of medical and hospital consultants
• Help you minimising risk of HMRC enquiry
Our fees start at £345 + VAT
Tax Planning for Doctors
Tax law never stands still and goal posts are always moving. It is crucial that you have the right adviser to guide you through the maze and help reduce your tax bill through legitimate and transparent means.
Shipleys Tax has a number of specialist tax advisers with wealth of experience in the medical sector who can talk to you about the many tax saving opportunities.
We always say the best tax planning is done before a major event in the business so seek advice early on in the lifecycle of a transaction. Some areas to consider:
• Buying or Selling a GP practice property – huge tax saving opportunities both personal and corporation tax (NB: patient lists cannot be sold)
• GP linked pharmacies – most tax efficient trading structures
• Reduce inheritance tax on death
• Reduce stamp duty land tax on buying
• Offshore tax planning advice for certain businesses
• Provide property development strategies
• Use of EIS/SEIS and corporate venture vehicles
• Use of LLPs and corporate partnerships
• Asset protection and preservation of wealth
• Estate planning and succession
Latest news & blogs…
IR35 to be repealed

IN A QUITE sensational move, Kwasi Kwarteng has seemingly done away with one of the most maligned pieces of tax legislation: the IR35 rules. Or at least some of it.
Here at Shipleys Tax we briefly look at the one of the most surprising aspects of this now quite eventful Mini-Budget.
IR35 repeal
The Chancellor confirmed workers providing their services via an intermediary vehicle, such as a personal service company, will once again be responsible for determining their employment status and paying the appropriate amount of tax and NICs.
The IR35 reforms will be repealed from April 6 2023 according to the mini-Budget.
The previous 2017 and 2021 reforms to the off payroll working rules (also known as IR35) required that the end client, and not the contractors they hire, were responsible in determining if the working relationship resembles a self-employed engagement or employment. Under existing rules, the fee-paying party (either the end client or recruitment agency) shouldered the liability.
This a hugely welcome reform to a much maligned and flawed area of tax law. It brings some certainty as to who is liable and minimises the risk that genuinely self-employed workers are impacted by the underlying off-payroll rules.
IT contractors, locums and many other service professionals will breathe a sigh of collective relief that a piece of legislation that has had a damaging effect on business and contractors’ livelihoods for the last five years has now been repealed.
More to follow.
Mini-Budget 2022: Back in time?

AS PART OF the new government’s mini-budget, the UK chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng travelled back in time to reverse previously planned tax rises by announcing a raft of tax cuts, including a surprising removal of the 45% income tax rate.
We have highlighted the main points below:
Summary Budget measures
*****UPDATE****
IR35/Off-payroll working
Huge change here – the changes made to the off-payroll working rules from April 2017 and April 2021 will be reversed. From 6 April 2023 the responsibility for determining employment status will revert to the individuals doing the work.
- Income tax
- 45% Additional rate abolished (40% top rate now)
- Basic rate cut to 19% (from 20%)
- both to take effect from April 2023;
- dividend rate reduced (reversing previous hike)
- NIC – April 2022 increase in NIC reversed from 6 November and Health & Social Care Levy scrapped
- Corporation tax to remain at 19% – planned 2023 increase to 25% cancelled
- Off payroll working/IR35 – previous legislative changes to be repealed from April 2023
- Introduction of VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors
- New “Investment Zones” with enhanced tax reliefs and relaxed planning frameworks
- Removal of cap on bankers’ bonuses
- SEIS and CSOP limits to be increased. EIS and VCT reliefs will be extended beyond 2025
- Annual Investment Allowance to stay at £1m for capital allowances
- No stamp duty on first £250,000, for first time buyers that rises to £425,000 – comes into operation today
Our in-depth analysis of the Mini Budget will follow.
Death of The Queen

A SAD, SOMBRE DAY for the UK and Commonwealth.
Most of us have only known the reign of Queen Elizabeth for as long as we can remember. Whatever your views on the monarchy she was arguably a remarkable woman – working tirelessly almost to her last day it seems. Spanning over 70 years she was a constant presence in the background of political, economical and natural change.
In an age where upstanding figureheads are painfully uncommon, she was an inspiration to many; her dignity, humility and graciousness won many hearts here in the UK and around the world. At times the Royal Family was controversial yes, but she was arguably the Queen for the people and the people loved her back.
A personal moment of loss for the Royal Family and many who felt they knew her, an era defining moment for the UK and its future.
Office Closure
Bank Holiday Monday 19th September 2022
As a mark of respect, the Shipleys Tax team will be taking the day off on the day of The Queen’s funeral, Monday 19th September and our office will be closed.
Normal business will resume on Tuesday 20th September.
Testimonials
“We value the close working relationship we have with Shabeer and the specialist teams at Shipleys Tax...(read more)
Dr K, GP Surgery – Yorkshire
“One of the most frequent issues we had with our previous accountants was not being made aware, in advance... (read more)
FM Medical Practice – Manchester
“Accountants seem to promise the earth but don’t deliver do they? Well we found the opposite. Abdul made himself... (read more)
Mrs Khan – JL Healthcare
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