Tax Advisory Services for Yorkshire Businesses and Individuals

Proactive Tax Advice That Goes Beyond the Return

Tax is one of the largest costs your business and personal finances face. The difference between reactive compliance — filing returns correctly and on time — and genuinely proactive tax planning is often significant. It is the difference between paying what you owe and paying more than you need to.

WDS provides tax advisory services for established businesses and individuals across Yorkshire, covering everything from corporation tax planning and self-assessment returns to capital gains tax, inheritance tax, VAT and R&D tax relief. Our tax team works alongside your Client Manager, who already understands your business and personal financial position — which means tax advice is joined up with your accounts, your structure and your wider plans, not delivered in isolation.

We also have access to qualified tax specialists for more complex requirements — business transactions, tax-efficient restructuring, trust taxation and cross-border situations — so there is always the right level of expertise available without you needing to go elsewhere.

Talk to our tax team

Business Tax

Our business tax service covers corporation tax planning and compliance for limited companies, including preparation and submission of CT600 returns, quarterly instalment payments where applicable, and proactive tax planning to reduce the company’s tax liabilities. We advise on R&D tax relief for qualifying research and development activities, capital allowances on business assets, group tax planning, and the tax implications of business restructuring. We also advise on tax-efficient remuneration structures for directors and owners — salary, dividends, pension contributions and benefits in kind.

Capital Gains Tax

Capital Gains Tax arises on the disposal of assets including business shares, property, land and investments. The rate, any reliefs available and the timing of a disposal can all significantly affect the amount of CGT payable. We advise on CGT planning before disposals are made — not after. Key areas include Business Asset Disposal Relief on qualifying business sales (currently 14% rate for 2025-26), Private Residence Relief and lettings relief on residential property, gift holdover relief, rollover relief on business assets, and the interaction of CGT with IHT on estates and lifetime gifts.

Inheritance Tax

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is charged at 40% on estates above the nil-rate band, which stands at £325,000 per person (plus the residence nil-rate band of £175,000 where applicable). Effective IHT planning can significantly reduce the tax payable on an estate — but it requires time and proper structuring. We advise on Business Property Relief (BPR) for qualifying business assets, Agricultural Property Relief (APR) for farming businesses and land, the use of trusts in IHT planning, lifetime gifting strategies, and the interaction of IHT with CGT on gifts and estate disposals. For farming clients in particular, the recent changes to APR announced in the October 2024 Budget require careful planning.

Personal Tax and Self-Assessment

We prepare and submit self-assessment tax returns for individuals with complex tax affairs — including business owners, directors, self-employed individuals, landlords, employees with significant investment income, and individuals with offshore interests. We manage the whole process — gathering information, calculating the liability, filing the return and advising on the payment. Where relevant, we advise on payments on account, the high-income child benefit charge, pension annual allowance charges and other personal tax planning opportunities. For clients affected by Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, we support the transition to quarterly digital reporting.

Trust Taxation

Trusts are used in a range of tax planning and estate planning contexts — from discretionary family trusts to employee benefit trusts and bare trusts for children. Each type of trust has distinct tax treatment for income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax, and the compliance obligations for trustees are significant. We advise on the establishment and ongoing tax compliance of trusts, including preparation of trust tax returns, advice on distributions and appointments, and the interaction of trust tax with the beneficiaries’ personal tax positions.

VAT & Indirect Tax

VAT compliance is mandatory for businesses with taxable turnover above the registration threshold (£90,000 from April 2024). We provide VAT registration advice, VAT return preparation and submission, and guidance on complex VAT issues including partial exemption, the flat rate scheme, the construction industry domestic reverse charge, property transactions, and cross-border supplies of goods and services. We also advise on voluntary registration, VAT group registration and the implications of Making Tax Digital for VAT.

Why Businesses and Individuals Come to WDS for Tax

Tax queries come to us in a wide variety of forms. Some clients come with a specific, immediate problem. Others come because they sense they are paying more tax than they should but do not know where to start. Common triggers include:

A business has grown significantly and the current tax approach — often just filing a corporation tax return — no longer reflects the complexity of the situation
A director or owner is taking money out of the business and is not sure whether salary, dividends or a combination is most tax-efficient
A business is planning a significant transaction — an acquisition, a disposal, an MBO — and needs to understand the tax implications before heads of terms are agreed
A self-employed individual or landlord has been notified they need to comply with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and does not know how
An individual has sold or is planning to sell a business, property or other asset and needs Capital Gains Tax advice before completion
A family is concerned about Inheritance Tax on an estate, business or agricultural land and wants to understand their options
A business has received an HMRC enquiry or compliance check and needs professional representation
A farming business needs advice on Agricultural Property Relief, profit averaging, or the interaction of SFI payments with their tax position
A business has been told it may qualify for R&D tax relief but is not sure whether its activities meet the criteria
A VAT-registered business is struggling with complex VAT issues — partial exemption, the construction industry reverse charge, or cross-border supplies

Whatever the starting point, our approach is the same — understand the full picture first, then advise on the most effective course of action.

Agricultural Tax — A Specialist Area

WDS has a substantial agricultural client base across North Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Dales, with offices in Leyburn and Northallerton. Agricultural tax is a specialist area with distinct rules and, following the October 2024 Budget changes to Agricultural Property Relief, significant planning considerations for farming families.

Key areas of agricultural tax where we advise farming clients include:

Agricultural Property Relief (APR) on farmland and farm buildings — including the impact of the April 2026 APR cap and the interaction with Business Property Relief
Profit averaging for farmers — allowing volatile farm incomes to be averaged over two or five years to reduce overall tax
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and other agri-environment scheme payments — and their tax treatment
Farm succession and inheritance tax planning for farming families
Capital gains tax on farmland disposals and compulsory purchase
VAT on farming activities including the flat rate scheme for farmers

If you are a farming business or landowner in North or West Yorkshire, our Leyburn and Northallerton offices have specific experience in agricultural tax that our other offices can also draw on.

Why Choose WDS for Tax

Joined-up advice

Your tax advice comes from a team that already understands your accounts, your business structure and your personal finances. Tax planning that is disconnected from the rest of your finances often misses opportunities or creates problems elsewhere.

Proactive, not just reactive

We do not wait for year-end to think about your tax position. Your Client Manager reviews your position throughout the year and flags planning opportunities as they arise — not after the window has closed.

Access to specialists

For complex areas such as R&D tax relief, trust taxation, business transactions or HMRC enquiries, we have qualified tax specialists available. You do not need to go to a separate firm for specialist advice.

Agricultural expertise

For farming clients, our North Yorkshire offices have specific experience in APR, profit averaging and farm succession that is not available at most general accountancy practices.

HMRC enquiry support

If HMRC opens an enquiry into your tax affairs, we represent you throughout the process — managing correspondence, attending meetings and negotiating settlement where appropriate.

Clear advice

Tax legislation is complex. We explain the position and the options clearly so you can make informed decisions — we do not hide behind jargon.

How Can I Get Started with Your Tax Services?

To get started, simply contact our team at [Your Contact Information] to schedule a consultation. We’ll assess your tax needs, discuss your objectives, and tailor a tax solution to meet your requirements.

What Are the Advantages of Outsourcing Tax Services?

Outsourcing tax services saves time, reduces administrative burden, ensures compliance with tax laws, provides access to expert advice, and allows businesses to focus on core activities.

Can You Assist with Tax Planning for High Net Worth Individuals?

Yes, we provide tailored tax planning solutions for high-net-worth individuals, optimising their tax position, preserving wealth, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations.

How Do I Know If I’m Paying the Right Amount of Tax?

Our team conducts thorough tax reviews to ensure that you are paying the correct amount of tax based on your circumstances. We identify areas for optimisation and provide guidance to ensure tax compliance.

What Is Inheritance Tax and How Can I Minimise It?

Inheritance tax is a tax on the estate of someone who has died. Our advisors can help you understand inheritance tax rules, evaluate your estate, and implement strategies to minimise inheritance tax liabilities and ensure that your wealth is preserved and that your wishes are met once you pass away.

Do You Provide Tax Planning Services for Businesses?

Absolutely. Our tax planning services encompass strategic tax planning for businesses, including structuring transactions, optimising tax efficiency, and minimising tax risks to support long-term growth and success.

Can You Assist with Tax Compliance and Filing Deadlines?

Yes, we assist clients in meeting their tax compliance obligations and filing deadlines, ensuring timely submission of tax returns, VAT filings, and other tax-related documents to relevant authorities.

What Are the Benefits of Working with Tax Professionals?

Tax professionals possess specialised knowledge and expertise to navigate complex tax regulations, ensure compliance, maximise tax savings, and provide invaluable advice for your financial future.

How Can Your Tax Advisors Help Me Save Money?

Our tax advisors analyse your financial situation to identify tax-saving opportunities, optimise your tax position, and minimise your tax liabilities through strategic planning and compliance.

What Types of Tax Services Do You Offer?

We offer a comprehensive range of tax services, including personal tax, business tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, VAT and indirect tax, international tax, and more.