Structuring your business for sale – BADR is changing once again

For business owners preparing to sell or exit their company, a stricter interpretation of the qualifying conditions for Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) and increased scrutiny from HMRC will soon be introduced.


These changes may affect the timing of a sale, the structure of your business and the tax you will pay on any gains.


What is Business Asset Disposal Relief?


BADR allows qualifying business owners to pay a reduced rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the disposal of business assets or shares. The relief currently applies up to a lifetime limit of £1 million.


Gains above this limit are taxed at the standard higher-rate CGT of 24 per cent.


What are the changes to BADR?


In April 2025, we saw the BADR rate on qualifying gains increase to 14 per cent, up from 10 per cent.


In April 2026, we will see a further increase to 18 per cent.


To put that rise into perspective, if you sold your shares and made a gain of £1m, before 6 April 2026, your tax bill would be £140,000. A sale after this date will result in a £180,000 bill.


BADR eligibility


To qualify for BADR, the following must apply for at least two years up to the point your business is sold:

·        You are a sole trader or business partner

·        You have owned the business for at least two years


For further information on eligibility criteria, visit Business Asset Disposal Relief: Eligibility - GOV.UK.


Structuring your sale


Two common exit strategies are Management Buyouts (MBO) and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT).


EOTs can reward key employees while maintaining business continuity, though CGT relief is now limited to 50 per cent of the gain.


MBOs transfer ownership to the management team, providing continuity but requiring careful attention to funding and tax timing.


Next steps for business owners


You can start by asking whether the current structure reflects a trading business, whether all shareholders are aligned and if phased disposal could improve the tax position.


Review shareholdings and employee or director roles to ensure they meet the criteria.

You should also consider whether financial separation of non-trading assets will boost BADR eligibility.


Finally, forecast your tax exposure to understand the financial impact it will have on your retirement.


Speak to our team today to confirm your BADR eligibility and ensure your tax liabilities are minimised.

Sequencing short-term finance effectively is vital for avoiding the interest trap

By Charlie Flockhart • September 9, 2026
For many businesses, short-term finance can provide an essential lifeline when cash flow becomes tight. Whether a business needs support covering a gap between paying suppliers and receiving customer payments, or managing seasonal demand, the right type of finance can keep a business moving during uncertain times. However, using short-term borrowing without a clear strategy can quickly become a slippery slope of missed payments and further injections of cash. Choosing the right type of finance for your business? Not all types of short-term finance are designed for the same purpose, so businesses need to choose the option that best matches their needs. An overdraft can provide a flexible cash buffer for day-to-day cash flow pressures, with interest usually charged only on the amount borrowed. Invoice finance can help unlock cash tied up in unpaid business invoices, while a short-term loan may be more suitable for funding a specific purchase or project. Problems can arise when businesses use one type of finance to solve an issue it was not intended to address. A short-term cash flow gap can turn into a long-term borrowing habit, causing interest costs and fees to build up over time and reduce profitability. How to avoid the interest trap? While short-term finance can be a valuable tool, it is important to understand the full cost of borrowing. Some forms of finance, such as certain credit cards, bridging loans and revolving credit facilities, can have higher interest rates and shorter repayment terms. Although these products can be useful in the right circumstances, they can place additional strain on businesses with unpredictable cash flow. Understanding the total cost of borrowing can help avoid unnecessary expense and ensure the finance remains affordable. Matching the right type of finance to the right business need can help businesses manage cash flow more effectively and avoid falling into an expensive cycle of debt. How can we help? Before you fall down the slippery slope of short-term finance, get in touch with an accountant. We understand that short-term finance can sometimes feel like the only option. Our team can help assess your cash flow needs, review your funding options and support you in choosing a solution that helps your business grow while keeping borrowing costs under control. For support with short-term finance options, get in touch with our team.

Inflation increases to a four-month high – How will businesses be impacted?

By Charlie Flockhart • September 9, 2026
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Gifting out of income – The overlooked way to reduce Inheritance Tax

By Charlie Flockhart • September 9, 2026
For many people, giving financial support to family members is an important part of their financial planning. Whether it is helping children with pension contributions or providing ongoing assistance, gifting can play an important role in Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. The normal expenditure out of income exemption under Section 21 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 allows for gifts to be made without being chargeable for IHT purposes, if specific conditions are met. What are the requirements? Under Section 21, gifts can be exempt from IHT if they are part of a person's normal spending habits, are paid from their income and leave them with enough income to maintain their usual standard of living. This exemption only applies to gifts made from surplus net income, not from capital or savings. For example, withdrawals from an investment bond or the capital part of a purchased life annuity payment would not qualify. The donor must also be able to cover their normal living costs from their remaining income and cannot give away income and then use capital to make up any shortfall. Why is record-keeping important? As the exemption is usually claimed after death, it is important to keep clear records of any gifts made under the normal expenditure out of income rules. HMRC form IHT403 includes a schedule that can be used to record these gifts as they are made and can help support a future claim. To work out whether gifts need to be reported, the donor must add together any gifts made under this exemption and any chargeable lifetime transfers made during the previous seven years. If the total is more than the available nil rate band, all gifts must be reported to HMRC using form IHT100. HMRC will then review whether the exemption applies and confirm its decision in writing. If the total remains within the nil rate band, the exemption is usually reviewed only after the donor's death, when the executors can claim the exemption using forms IHT400 and IHT403. How can we help? Planning for IHT helps to safeguard your family's future, as utilising vital allowances enables you to minimise your IHT contributions. Our team of accountants can support you with gifting out of income so that you can provide for your family's future. Get in touch with our team for support with Inheritance Tax planning.