Directors’ loans are money you borrow from your company, distinct from salary, dividends, or reimbursed expenses.  

These loans must be recorded as a liability on the company’s balance sheet and repaid under agreed terms. 

You can use directors’ loans to cover short-term personal cash flow needs, fund business activities like purchasing equipment or marketing campaigns, or manage your personal and corporate tax liabilities effectively. 

However, there are certain compliance requirements you need to fulfil before you take out a director’s loan to avoid penalties and scrutiny from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).  

How to stay compliant 

We advise that you follow the below best practices to stay compliant with HMRC’s regulations: 

• Approval and documentation: Ensure shareholder approval for loans over £10,000. Document the loan terms, including amount, interest rate, repayment schedule, and purpose. 

• Tax implications: Report loans exceeding £10,000 as a benefit in kind on your self-assessment tax return. The company must pay Class 1A National Insurance on these loans. If the interest rate is below HMRC’s official rate (currently 2.25 per cent), the difference is a taxable benefit in kind. 

• Section 455 Tax: If you don’t repay the loan within nine months of the company’s accounting period end, the company must pay Section 455 Tax at 32.5 per cent on the outstanding amount. This tax is reclaimable once the loan is repaid. 

• Repayment obligations: Adhere strictly to the agreed repayment terms to avoid financial and legal consequences. Consider setting up a direct debit to ensure timely repayments. 

• Annual disclosure: Disclose all directors’ loans in the company’s annual accounts, detailing loan amounts, interest rates, repayment schedules, and outstanding balances. 

We also strongly suggest you charge an interest rate at or above HMRC’s official rate to avoid ‘Benefit-in-Kind’ (BIK) tax implications.  

You should also repay the loan before the nine-month deadline post accounting period to avoid Section 455 Tax.  

Using company dividends to repay the loan can often be tax-efficient if the company has sufficient distributable reserves but you should speak with your accountant before doing this. 

You should also try to avoid loan cycling, where you repay and immediately re-borrow the loan, as HMRC scrutinises this practice and may deem the loan as not repaid, leading to tax penalties. 

You’ll need to regularly consult with a tax advisor or accountant to stay updated on tax law changes and ensure compliance in the long-term.  

We can also prepare and review your company’s annual accounts, ensuring all directors’ loans are accurately disclosed and reported. 

We can help you leverage this financial tool to benefit your business and avoid potential pitfalls so please get in touch with our team for assistance.