Ever since the introduction of the 7.5% increase in the rate of tax on dividends in April 2016, it has been more tax efficient for owner managed business shareholders to pay interest on their loans to the company rather than pay themselves dividends.
The interest would be deductible against the company’s profits saving corporation tax at 19% (was 20%), whereas dividend payments are not tax deductible. A higher rate taxpayer would end up with more post tax cash, despite the rate being 40% compared to the 32.5% rate on dividends.
