Make your company structure work efficiently for your family, not against you.

For many owner-managed businesses, shares are held in one name simply because that is how the company was originally formed. Over time, this can result in missed opportunities to use personal allowances and tax bands effectively.

Our Spousal Share Planning service reviews your current share structure and assesses whether it supports flexible and tax-efficient dividend planning within the family, where appropriate.

Why Spousal Share Planning Matters

If one spouse is receiving most or all of the dividends, while the other has unused allowances or lower tax bands, the overall family tax position may not be optimised.

A properly structured shareholding can:

• Allow dividends to be paid more flexibly
• Make sensible use of personal allowances and lower tax bands
• Reduce unnecessary higher-rate or additional-rate tax exposure
• Support long-term family financial planning

What We Review

Your Current Share Position

We examine:

• Who owns the shares
• The type of shares in issue
• Dividend rights attached to those shares
• How dividends are currently declared and paid

Dividend Flexibility

We assess whether your current structure allows:

• Flexible dividend planning
• Different dividend levels where appropriate
• Sensible use of family tax bands

Planning Opportunities

Where appropriate, we consider whether changes to the share structure could improve flexibility and efficiency. This may include reviewing:

• The introduction of different share classes
• Transfer of shares between spouses
• Long-term ownership strategy

What You Will Receive

You will receive:

• A clear review of your existing share position
• An assessment of dividend flexibility within the current structure
• Planning to make sensible use of allowances and tax bands (where applicable)
• A clear explanation of what would be required to implement any changes properly

Importantly, we do not simply suggest structural changes. We explain the legal, tax and administrative implications so that you understand both the advantages and the responsibilities involved.

Compliance and Practical Considerations

Any share restructuring must be carried out correctly. This may involve:

• Company law considerations
• Updated share certificates and registers
• Board minutes and resolutions
• Consideration of anti-avoidance legislation

We will outline the practical steps required and can support implementation where needed.

Who This Is For

This service is particularly relevant if:

• One spouse currently receives all dividends
• One spouse has unused personal allowances
• You are moving into higher tax bands
• You are planning for long-term family wealth
• You want greater flexibility in future dividend planning

A simple review can often identify whether your existing structure is already suitable or whether improvements are worth considering.

Call to Action

If you would like clarity on whether your current share structure is efficient and flexible, contact Holland & Co Chartered Accountants to arrange a Spousal Share Planning review.