Super poster
If you take a dividend up to higher rate tax threshold after 6th April, as soon as you earn anything through an umbrella you will create a tax liability on the dividends declared (dividends form your 'top slice' of income, in the majority of cases).
You will need to do a self-assessment return for 2013/14 if you are a director at any point during that year, there may however be other reasons that you need to complete a return in future years depending on how you income is made up.
Your accountant should be able to tell you how much you have available to take out of the company at any point, this is part of what you are paying them for! If you are intent on closing your company, and never return to trading as a limited company then there are moe tax efficient ways to get surplus funds from the company than by way of dividend, you may want to discuss these with your accountant...
Hope this helps!
Craig
Nervous Newbie
Nervous Newbie
Thanks Craig, yeah probably best having the discussion with the accountant - I only posted on here in case anyone had some experience in a similar situation and could give some helpful advice on what to be asking/doing. I'd not blast on ahead without speaking to the professionals.
Cheers
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Super poster
Lisa has hit the nail on the head there! With a decent accountant, there should never be any doubt as to how much money you can draw from your company. If you are not in that position as a company director then you need to have a long talk with your accountant and tell them that you want a system whereby you can see where you stand on a daily basis. If they can't do that then there are lots of other accounts who can.
Oooh, look here's one now.
Like Craig says, if you max out your dividends on 6th April then you will probably get caned for 40% tax + employee's NI plus employer's NI when you switch to umbrella leaving you with a net take home pay of <50% of your gross contract value or alternatively, a huge tax bill when you do your self assessment so don't come crying to us when that happens.
Free advice and opinions - refunds are available if you are not 100% satisfied.
Nervous Newbie