Taxation
We are able to give you practical and pragmatic advice on all situations...
Practical advice for all your tax related issues...
Our taxation specialists focus largely on how UK law affects corporation tax, mergers and acquisitions and company restructuring, and we also have a lot of experience in the legalities of property taxation and in particular SDLT.
About our expertise with tax
The way you organise your shareholding and business structures has direct implications on your tax liabilities, and we are able to give you practical and pragmatic advice on all situations, from private equity and unit trusts to properties and funds, including exit strategies and offshore structuring, groups of companies, employment tax and remuneration planning (including redundancy issues).
With regard to SDLT in particular, we can assist in making savings through using shorter leases, with an option to renew, compared to a longer lease with a break clause. Advice can also be given on where backdating a renewal lease after a holding-over period will increase the SDLT and on preserving an old lease to avoid SDLT. You may also benefit from advice on turnover-linked rents where a spike in rent can increase the tax on the rest of the lease term.
As well as leasehold properties, we can assist on freehold sales, where there is still scope to exclude equipment, or other items from SDLT, in addition to escaping payment (at least in part) on goodwill.
Our approach is to advise clients on the choices available within commercial transactions to reduce the SDLT charge, rather than artificial schemes that try to make it disappear altogether, as there can be risks involved in the latter course.
Testimonials
MA
“Leo and his team at Freeths act for The Big Table Group. I have had a longstanding relationship with Leo including my present role as Director of...
Matt Ainger, Property Director
Big Table Group
MG
“Freeths LLP have been our long term legal partner providing expertise and professionalism in handling both our everyday needs as well as supportin...
Mark Grunnell, Co-founder and Chief Executive
Red Oak Taverns
KA
“I have worked with Leo since April 2021 and he has provided me with inciteful and commercial support which can only come from someone who understa...
Kamran Aziz, Managing Director
RedCat Pub Company
HS
"Peach Pubs grew through acquiring freeholds and leaseholds (both private and pubco) over 20 years. Freeths became part of our success in the la...
Hamish Stoddart, Co-founder
Peach Pub Company
PD
“Leo and all of the team at Freeths are undoubted leisure sector specialists and are both commercial and pragmatic in their advice. They are able...
Phil Derbyshire, Group Property Director
The Restaurant Group Plc
RM
“Partnering with Freeths has provided us with invaluable support for our property activities. Their expert guidance and seamless service have prove...
Richard Maslin, Property Director
The Liberation Group
JD
“We have worked with Freeths for well over a decade for matters concerning our wine business and wine bars and restaurants, and are consistently im...
James Davy, Chairman
Davy’s
GB
"I have worked with Freeths for over two decades, firstly as an advisor alongside them when acting for a client, and more recently as the principal...
Graeme Bunn, Property & Acquisitions Director
Red Oak Taverns
TD
“Leo and his team at Freeths act for BKUK Group Limited and have done so since the inception of the business in its current form in 2017. I have ha...
Tim Doubleday, CFO
BKUK Group Limited
NB
“Freeths has provided unrivalled legal advice to our portfolio businesses in the pubs sector for many years. Their team regularly goes above and be...
Noah Bulkin, Managing Partner
May Capital
JL
“I have used Freeths for many years now, both on property and transactional matters. There are many reasons that I have used them so much, but top...
John Leslie, Non-Executive Director
Oakman Inns and Restaurants
PM
"The Late-Night sector has had some particularly difficult trading conditions over the last year, which meant unfortunately we had to take on board...
Peter Marks, Chairman
UK – REKOM
Contact us today
Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.
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