{"id":1558,"date":"2024-05-09T16:48:41","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T16:48:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qc_wordpress.dev\/?p=1558"},"modified":"2024-11-04T12:56:35","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T12:56:35","slug":"employing-a-spouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/employing-a-spouse","title":{"rendered":"Employing a Spouse"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1558\" class=\"elementor elementor-1558\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57628345 e-con-full e-flex lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-root-container elementor-top-section e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"57628345\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a0bf7a9 elementor-widget lastudio-kit elementor-lakit-breadcrumbs\" data-id=\"3a0bf7a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"lakit-breadcrumbs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"lakit-breadcrumbs\">\n\t\t<div class=\"lakit-breadcrumbs__content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"lakit-breadcrumbs__wrap\"><div class=\"lakit-breadcrumbs__item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/\" class=\"lakit-breadcrumbs__item-link is-home\" rel=\"home\" title=\"Guides\">Guides<\/a><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4409e5a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4409e5a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Employing a Spouse<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e088579 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6e088579\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b72e4c4 e-con-full e-flex lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-root-container elementor-top-section e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5b72e4c4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d3d0098 e-con-full e-flex lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4d3d0098\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:90,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c0b8c4c elementor-toc--minimized-on-mobile elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"5c0b8c4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;mobile&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-circle&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;,&quot;rendered_tag&quot;:&quot;&lt;svg class=\\&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\\&quot; viewBox=\\&quot;0 0 512 512\\&quot; xmlns=\\&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.w3.org\\\/2000\\\/svg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=\\&quot;M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/path&gt;&lt;\\\/svg&gt;&quot;},&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__5c0b8c4c\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__5c0b8c4c\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__5c0b8c4c\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-591d71dd e-flex e-con-boxed lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-con e-child\" data-id=\"591d71dd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a537438 e-con-full e-flex lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4a537438\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50f866a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"50f866a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Navigating the intricate landscape of self-employment is no easy feat, especially for contractors. Amidst the myriad of regulations, one term stands out prominently: Limited Companies. But how does employing a spouse work?<\/p><p>It is common for contractors to add a spouse as a second shareholder or employ them to help with the company&#8217;s day-to-day running. While the process may be relatively straightforward, whether it is the right decision is another matter entirely. It is not the right decision for every married couple, and several vital issues must be considered.<\/p><p>In this comprehensive guide, we delve deep into the heart of limited companies. Whether you&#8217;re an aspiring contractor or a seasoned veteran seeking clarity, this guide aims to empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31e78bd6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"31e78bd6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"748\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Capture-7.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1357\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Capture-7.png 748w, https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Capture-7-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 748px) 100vw, 748px\" title=\"\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b94289c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1b94289c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How To Employ A Spouse<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c500c93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c500c93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Your spouse can work for you, although you must ensure you run a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/paye-for-employers\/setting-up-payroll\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">PAYE<\/a> scheme. Any income tax and National Insurance owed will be paid via PAYE. The wages you pay your spouse are an allowable expense, meaning they\u2019ll reduce the corporation tax you owe.\u00a0<\/p><p>It\u2019s also important to note that if you pay your spouse a wage, you should ensure they do some work in the company. If they don\u2019t, their status as an employee could be challenged by HMRC. What counts as sufficient work to satisfy HMRC is highly subjective; however, it could be anything from submitting invoices to opening mail or helping to maintain accounting records.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4612bdf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4612bdf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Much Can I Pay My Spouse?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9442ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f9442ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If your spouse is not a director of your limited company, and they do not have a specific employment contract, you must pay them at least the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/national-minimum-wage-rates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">National Minimum Wage<\/a>. If you want to pay your spouse more than the National Minimum Wage, it\u2019s essential to consider the fair market value of their work. The salary should be at a \u2018commercial rate\u2019 for the service provided.<\/p><p>Although HMRC does not prescribe a specific wage for individual services, one way to think of this is to consider what you would be willing to pay someone else for doing the same job. If you were to \u2018overpay\u2019 your spouse for their work specifically to take advantage of their lower tax rate, it could be classed as \u2018income shifting\u2019 and be caught by the Settlements Legislation (more on this below).<\/p><p>The optimum salary to pay your spouse depends on how much they currently earn. If your spouse has made enough to use up their entire personal allowance, there is no benefit in paying them a salary through your limited company.<\/p><p>If your spouse has already used up their personal allowance and you pay them a salary, while you save corporation tax, your spouse will have to pay income tax at 20%, 40%, or even 45%, depending on their tax band.<\/p><p>If your spouse has no other sources of income, then the optimal salary is \u00a31,047.50 per month, this being the Primary Threshold\u00a0 limit. Although you will incur Employer\u2019s National Insurance, these costs will be less than the income tax saved by your spouse.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5368e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b5368e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Does IR35 Impact This?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e602b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9e602b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If your contract is inside IR35, you are limited to the existing profits (earned from Outside IR35 work) from which to pay your spouse. Any income from an inside IR35 contract is taxed as employment income, so paying your spouse a salary becomes tax-inefficient.<\/p><p>There is no corporation tax against which to offset the costs, and the salary itself would effectively be subject to double taxation. Once for yourself when earned and once when paid to your spouse.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11387a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"11387a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Can I Make My Spouse A Shareholder?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88bea27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88bea27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many contractors split ownership of their limited company with a spouse or partner to take advantage of the lower tax rates associated with dividends instead of income. By making your spouse a shareholder of your limited company, they become entitled to a proportion of any issued dividend.<\/p><p>The proportion of dividends your spouse is entitled to is calculated by the percentage of shares they own. If there are 100 shares in the company, and you both own 50 shares each, you are both entitled to receive 50% of any dividend issued.<\/p><p>For example, if you, as a contractor, earn over the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/income-tax-rates\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">higher rate threshold<\/a>, any dividends you receive will be taxed at 33.75%. Splitting this dividend with a spouse with no other income would see them pay tax at the basic rate of 8.75%, a difference of 25%.<\/p><p>This is a particularly effective way to reduce taxes paid to HMRC when your partner has little or no income of their own. As with the salary above, if your spouse or partner has other significant income, there is unlikely to be much of a tax saving by making them a shareholder.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6e3c73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d6e3c73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Is The Settlements Legislation And The \u2018Spousal Exemption\u2019?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebba904 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ebba904\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Contractors considering making their spouse a shareholder in their limited company may have come across the \u2018Settlements Legislation\u2019, specifically designed to prevent income shifting. Income shifting involves transferring personal income to another individual who pays tax at a lower rate.<\/p><p>HMRC argued that under the Settlements Legislation, a gift of shares from a fee-earning contractor to a non-fee-earning spouse was a \u2018bounteous settlement\u2019 and that any income should continue to be taxed as if it were the contractor\u2019s.<\/p><p>Fortunately for contractors, in 2007, the Court of Appeal ruled that the transfer of shares to a spouse is captured under the \u2018spousal exemption\u2019, meaning it is outside the remit of the Settlements Legislation. Although the court upheld a contractor\u2019s right to make their spouse a shareholder in their limited company, they did so in tightly defined circumstances.<\/p><p>For the spousal exemption to apply:<\/p><ul><li>The fee-earning contractor and non-fee-earning spouse must be married or in a civil partnership and living together;<\/li><li>The spouse must play an active role as a shareholder; they cannot simply sit back and accept the dividends; and<\/li><li>The shares must be an outright gift with the same rights as the original ordinary shares. They must have full voting rights and no promise to return them.<\/li><\/ul><p>If any of the above criteria are unmet, HMRC may take interest, and the spousal exemption may not apply.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e261ea3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e261ea3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What If We're Not Married?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89421e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"89421e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you\u2019re married or in a civil partnership and living with your spouse, you can transfer shares in your company to them without incurring any capital gains tax. They will still have to pay income tax on any dividends received.<\/p><p>If you\u2019re not legally married or in a civil relationship with your partner, transferring part-ownership of your limited company to them will likely incur additional tax liabilities. The spousal exemption will not apply; HMRC could see the transfer as one of value and could seek to charge capital gains tax.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00d1f4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"00d1f4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are 'Alphabet Shares'?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa4c0f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aa4c0f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When a business pays a dividend, all shareholders receive payment proportionately to their holdings. If you hold 25% of the shares, you receive 25% of the dividend. For one group of shareholders to be paid at a different rate or receive preference over another, the company must have distinct classes of shares with unique rights. This is where alphabet shares come in.<\/p><p>The term \u2018alphabet shares\u2019 describes different classes of ordinary shares in a company, often called class A shares, class B shares, class C shares, etc. Each type of share can offer a different entitlement to any dividends paid. For example, class A shares may be paid at a greater rate than class B shares.<\/p><p>Alphabet shares are not restricted to being used solely for controlling the level of dividends paid; they may be used to provide entitlement to rules separate from ordinary shares &#8211; for example, the limited voting rights at general meetings.<\/p><p>That said, their primary use is to provide a platform through which a dividend can be paid to a particular class of shares without being required to pay the same dividend to each shareholder. This is particularly beneficial when one shareholder is a higher rate or additional rate taxpayer, and the other pays a basic rate or none.<\/p><p>Alphabet shares are a legitimate method many companies use to differentiate between different types of shares, keeping shareholding and dividend distribution clear amongst shareholders. It is also a method contractors can use to ensure they make the best possible use of the tax allowances granted to them and their spouse.<\/p><p><strong>Example:<\/strong> If Jack, a higher rate taxpayer, wants to divert some of his dividend income in his limited company to his wife Anne, who currently has no earnings, he could do this by gifting her some shares in his company.<\/p><p>If Jack does this with the same class of shares he currently owns, Anne would be entitled to a dividend every time one is declared. The trouble with this is that if Anne were to start earning her own income, adding dividends may push her into the higher rate tax band, defeating the purpose of diverting the income.<\/p><p>The solution is for Jack to issue a new class of shares to Anne, called \u2018ordinary A shares\u2019. This new class of shares will have identical rights to Jack\u2019s shares, but it will allow the limited company to pay varying rates of dividend at different times.<\/p><p>If Anne starts earning her own income and it no longer makes sense for her to receive a dividend, the limited company can stop paying one to her class of shares while continuing to pay it to Jack.<\/p><p>The issue with the above is that HMRC are very savvy regarding tax avoidance. They may claim that if the level of dividend paid on one class of shares could not have been delivered without no or minimal dividends paid on the other classes, the spousal exemption no longer applies, and the transfer of shares falls within the Settlement Legislation.<\/p><p><strong>Continuing the above example<\/strong>, if Jack owns 75 ordinary shares while Anne owns 25 ordinary A shares, Jack needs to ensure there is enough profit in the company to pay the same dividend rate on Anne\u2019s shares as his own.<\/p><p>If Jack earns \u00a3100,000 in profit, the most he can pay himself is \u00a375,000. Anne could not be paid the same dividend rate on her shares if he took more than this, as it would exceed the available profit.<\/p><p>As you can see, alphabet shares can be confusing, and we recommend speaking to a specialist accountant if you wish to pursue this.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34df641 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"34df641\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are 'Dividend Waivers'?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cb7175 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4cb7175\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dividend waivers are where all shareholders have the same type of shares, but one shareholder waives their right to the dividend. HMRC are incredibly suspicious of dividend waivers and frequently challenges them if they think they\u2019ve been made to avoid tax instead of genuine commercial benefit.<\/p><p>Although this is a potential option for contractors looking to make their spouse part of their limited company, it should be approached with caution. There need to be legal documents that are witnessed, and the waiver must be in place before the dividend is paid.<\/p><p>As with alphabet shares, we recommend speaking to a specialist before you make a decision.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d64fe5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d64fe5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What If We Get Divorced?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee47960 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee47960\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Although it\u2019s unpleasant to discuss, one of the primary considerations around gifting shares to a spouse is what happens in the case of separation or divorce.<\/p><p>To use the spousal exemption, any shares transferred to a spouse must be an outright gift. They belong entirely to your spouse and cannot be taken back. If you separate, your spouse will continue to own shares in your company and be entitled to any future dividend payments.<\/p><p>One way to protect against the above is with robust Articles of Association and Shareholders Agreement. Such documents can require shares previously transferred to a spouse to be \u2018bought back\u2019 by the business in case of a divorce.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-180e3056 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"180e3056\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Useful Links<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4dca9170 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"4dca9170\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/browse\/business\/limited-company\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">HMRC's Running a Limited Company<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/organisations\/companies-house\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Companies House<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31222e49 e-flex e-con-boxed lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-con e-child\" data-id=\"31222e49\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4290fe84 e-flex e-con-boxed lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4290fe84\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78629677 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"78629677\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M257.5 445.1l-22.2 22.2c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L7 273c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L201.4 44.7c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.2 22.2c9.5 9.5 9.3 25-.4 34.3L136.6 216H424c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24v32c0 13.3-10.7 24-24 24H136.6l120.5 114.8c9.8 9.3 10 24.8.4 34.3z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Previous<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-751f96e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"751f96e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/limited-company-pensions\">Limited Company Pensions<\/a><\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-625dd0d4 e-flex e-con-boxed lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-con e-child\" data-id=\"625dd0d4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77db766 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"77db766\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M190.5 66.9l22.2-22.2c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0L441 239c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L246.6 467.3c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.2-22.2c-9.5-9.5-9.3-25 .4-34.3L311.4 296H24c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24v-32c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h287.4L190.9 101.2c-9.8-9.3-10-24.8-.4-34.3z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Next<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3914da6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3914da6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/withdrawing-money-from-your-limited-company\">Withdrawing Money From Your Limited Company<\/a><\/span>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-477678fb e-con-full e-flex lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-con e-child\" data-id=\"477678fb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70624a5f e-con-full e-flex lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-con e-child\" data-id=\"70624a5f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9562e09 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"9562e09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Limited Companies<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-165d33cc elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"165d33cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/what-is-a-limited-company\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">1. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a Limited Company?<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e173737 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"5e173737\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/limited-company-vs-sole-trader\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">2. Limited Company v. Sole Trader<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b406fa3 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"2b406fa3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-a-limited-company\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">3. Advantages and Disadvantages<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-564d1485 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"564d1485\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/limited-company-directors-responsibilities\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">4. Director's Responsibilities<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4699c6b6 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"4699c6b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/limited-company-accountants\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">5. Accountants<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-162d80ef elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"162d80ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/limited-company-taxes\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">6. Taxes<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-503e38f0 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"503e38f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/business-bank-accounts\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">7. Bank Accounts<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6772665a elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"6772665a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/limited-company-insurance\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">8. Insurance<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4bbe90 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"e4bbe90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/limited-company-expenses\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">9. Expenses<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22f3d59c elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"22f3d59c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/limited-company-cars-and-vans\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">10. Cars &amp; Vans<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3caf9433 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"3caf9433\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/capital-allowances\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">11. Capital Allowances<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c8d38f elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"8c8d38f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/benefits-in-kind\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">12. Benefits in Kind<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47190141 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"47190141\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/limited-company-pensions\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">13. Pensions<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fe1e6d6 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"3fe1e6d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/employing-a-spouse\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>14. Employing A Spouse<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21be3a25 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"21be3a25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/dormant-limited-company\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">15. Dormant Limited Company<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-702f7236 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"702f7236\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/closing-your-limited-company\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">16. Closing Your Limited Company<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e0e4e0 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"3e0e4e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/withdrawing-money-from-your-limited-company\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">17. Withdrawing Money<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31bfc9e1 elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"31bfc9e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/limited-companies\/business-asset-disposal-relief\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">18. Business Asset Disposal Relief<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72fa8839 e-flex e-con-boxed lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-root-container elementor-top-section e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"72fa8839\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39d51574 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"39d51574\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3820c50d e-flex e-con-boxed lakit-col-width-auto-no e-container e-root-container elementor-top-section e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3820c50d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Guides Employing a Spouse Navigating the intricate landscape of self-employment is no easy feat, especially for contractors. Amidst the myriad [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1558"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1558"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1558\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1566,"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1558\/revisions\/1566"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qualitycontracts.co.uk\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}