The doubling of the lifetime limit for Entrepreneurs’ Relief from £5m to £10m is unexpected good news for owners of growing businesses and the maximum potential tax saving is now £1.8m. 

Furthermore a couple who jointly own an eligible family business may both claim Entrepreneurs’ Relief.

But the news on Entrepreneurs’ Relief wasn’t all good:

• nothing has been done to address the five per cent shareholding requirement for Entrepreneurs’ Relief, which denies relief for many employee share and option holders; and
• the Entrepreneurs’ Relief rules remain inconsistent between different types of business and owner.

George Bull is head of tax at Baker Tilly.

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