How much should I take as a salary from my limited company?

Every business owner takes a salary from their business. If you own a limited company, you need to ensure that you get the benefits. The limited company formation depends on the prudent choice for self-employed individuals, and however, it can have various challenges.

Whether you are an employer or run your own business, you need to understand how the limited company pays you. Taking a low salary will play an essential role in determining the tax-efficient process. As a director, you need to be far more efficient than your regular employee.

Why should you take a salary from a limited company?

If you own a limited company, you must consider taking the salary. This can prove to be extremely beneficial. Some of the common reasons why you must take a salary as the company owner include the following:-

• It will be a part of the business expense. As a result, it will help to reduce the overall tax that the company may need to pay.
• Usually, the Limited Company directors prefer taking salary more than the lower-earning units. Therefore, you can qualify for the state pension.

How to pay yourself as the director?

If you are the director of a limited company, you must consider taking the salary. Make sure that you are following the rules set by the HMRC so that you effectively. The officeholders will not be responsible for following the National Minimum Regulations.

If you take a low salary, you will not need to pay the National Insurance Contribution or Income Tax. If you are a UK taxpayer, you will be subjected to Personal Allowance. The Personal Allowance will further be free from the Income Tax, and the threshold will vary significantly.

People living in the UK need to be familiar with the National Insurance thresholds, which is less than the Personal Allowance. It would help if you considered comparing the National Insurance thresholds while you determine your salary. Here are some of the most important factors to consider:

• Lower Earning Limit: You will be eligible for a State Pension contribution record if you set the salary above this level.
• National Insurance Primary Threshold: You will not need to pay the employee's NIC if you set the salary below the National Insurance Primary Threshold.
• National Insurance Secondary Threshold: The limited company owner will not be liable for paying the NIC of any employer if they set their salary below this level.

It is advisable to set the salary above the Lower Earning Limit. You will be eligible for state pension benefits. Besides, you will not need to pay for the employee NI or employer's NI. This will save a significant amount.

Why should you consider taking a higher salary?

As a limited company director, you must consider taking a salary. While setting your salary below the Lower Earning Limit can be beneficial, you must also opt for the higher salary.

When you set your salary way too low, you may be eligible for various negative impacts. Some of the common reasons why you may want to set a higher salary include the following:

• You must comply with the regulations set by the National Minimum Regulations. As a result, you will be eligible for maternity benefits which may not be effective if you take a low salary.
• If you have any problems with the National Minimum Wage Regulations.
• If there is a reduction in life insurance cover for personal accident, health or critical illness, which may not be covered in your policy. It is often calculated as per the earnings.
• You don't have the flexibility of applying for a mortgage. When your salary is low, you must meet the minimum eligibility criteria while applying for a mortgage or loan.
• You may not be eligible to enjoy the benefits of tax-free personal allowance if your salary is way too low.

Pay yourself in dividend

As a director of the company, you must consider paying dividends. This is one of the most feasible options when your company makes a profit. Once you accumulate the profit, you can reinvest it in the company. Apart from that, you can pay it to shareholders.

As an owner of the company, you are also the shareholder. Even if you hold a tiny percentage in your limited company, you will be eligible to pay yourself in dividends. Not only does it help to lower personal taxes, but it can also be one of the best ways to save money for your company.

When you combine salary with dividend payments, you will be liable for tax efficiency.

What are the taxes implied when you take a salary?

As director of a limited company, you must consider being familiar with the tax implications. The salaries will be subjected to Pay-as-you-earn Tax for all the regular full-time employees.

It will help reduce the Corporation Tax liability when you take a higher salary. As a result, it will help to outweigh any extra fax paid. Given below are the tax-implication details that you must be aware of:

1. Income tax

Income tax is subject to the earnings of the employees, and it will also apply to other sources of income. The Income Tax rates will vary significantly, and therefore, you must consider comparing the thresholds and tax rates.

2. Employer national insurance contributions

This will work in the same manner as that of employees. The National Insurance earning threshold will vary. Usually, the employer will need to pay 15.05% NIC, directly applicable to the director's salary.

3. Employee national insurance contributi

The Employee National Insurance Contribution and Employer National Insurance Contributions have similar characteristics. However, the rate of employees will vary from that of employers, and every employee will be subjected to different earnings.

The threshold amount is usually set as per the monthly amount. The threshold for the employer is usually 52 times higher than that of a regular employee.

Conclusion

As a director of the Limited Company, you must consider taking a salary. This will protect you against the risk of paying any income tax. Consider the Lower Earnings Limit to understand the pension scheme and more. You may consider reaching out to professional accountants who can help you understand the benefits of taking a salary as an accountant.