SFP MVL Solutions
For contractors closing down their company. Save 1000s, only pay 10% tax on your company assets.

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Members Voluntary Liquidation

Whilst winding down a limited company is far from the minds of contractors who are just starting out, with luck every contractor will reach the point of retirement or may even at some point re-enter the world of the permanent employment. There have been various mechanisms over the years that have allowed contractors to close their companies as tax-efficiently as possible.

Historically contractors looking to close their company would make a request to HMRC under ESC C16 to treat any final distribution as capital rather than income. However since 1st March 2012, ESC C16 was written into tax law with a distribution limit of £25,000. This means that if the distributions are less than £25,000 then 'capital treatment' automatically applies, however if they are in excess of £25,000 they are treated as income in the shareholders' hands.

Even following the new rules, assets distributed under a Members Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) are still taxed on the shareholders' as capital, which is why this has now become the most popular method for contractors to close their company.

So, what is an MVL? An MVL is where shareholders choose to wind down their company, and can only be used if the company is solvent. Not only do the shareholders benefit from the distributions that exceed £25,000 being treated as capital, the funds may also be subjected to Entrepreneurs' Relief, a personal tax relief that reduces the tax rate down to 10%.

If MVL is not what you are looking for, why not take a look at SFP's CVL solution here.

MVL Services

Are you thinking of closing your limited company? Not sure if MVL is the right route for you and need some further information from an expert?

You can find trusted Members Voluntary Liquidation specialists and their contact details here on our MVL Service directory.

Get in touch with them today to discuss how you can close your company as tax-efficiently as possible.

 

MVL Guides

Contractors’ Questions: How to use Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) as a limited company with £300,000?

An IT contractor who joined the dark side gets a refresher on BADR requirements, ahead of extracting £300k before winding-up.

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How to close your solvent company

Seven age-old queries, each with the power to stump limited company contractors who are solvent but looking to shut.

The difference between solvent and insolvent liquidation – explained

Contractors closing down must know which route is best for them and their circumstances, or else ask an IP.

How much does a CVL cost?

A guide on what contractors will fork out for a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation in 2024-25.

What is a CVL?

Trusted company closure experts SFP walk ContractorUK readers through six key stages of a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL).

Need to close your company?

Are you thinking of closing your company? How you move forward will largely depend on whether your company is solvent or insolvent.

What is an MVL?

Everything contractors need to know about a tax-efficient Members’ Voluntary Liquidation – spelt out by a trusted specialist in the field.

Being declared insolvent: What happens when a limited company goes into liquidation?

To liquidate your contractor biz, know the options, processes and personnel – if you want to avoid hotspots like disqualification.

Contractor CVL Solution from SFP

SFP are one of the UK’s leading providers of Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) solutions. Their Insolvency Practitioners are fully licensed by the IPA (Insolvency Practitioners Association).

Contractor MVL Solution from SFP

SFP MVL are the number 1 provider of Members Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) solutions in the UK. As part of the award winning SFP Group and the preferred choice for the majority of contractor accountants, you can be assured that if you want to close down your company, your money is in safe hands!

How do I liquidate my own limited company?

CVL or MVL? That’s the question for director-led liquidations. Either way, ensure your IP is licensed.

What to do if you are closing your personal service company due to IR35

Exploring your options and taking the path that will be most beneficial for you is important. 

Top 10 tips to closing a limited company

What winding up contractors need to know about shutting down a PSC.

Fast-track CVA: when only a supercharged company recovery will do

A six-week procedure could be just what a business doctor would order to get your ‘Ltd’ through covid.

Revealed: Big Four CVL myths, Top Three MVL myths

Don’t fall prey to these false company closure claims doing the rounds as IR35 reform nears.

MVL: When the time to close your contractor limited company is right

Tests to take to gauge when selling shop is sensible, shrewd or just something your heart desires.

A contractor’s guide to CVL: Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation

Reaching your company’s tipping point amid or after covid-19 is understandable. Reaching it alone, unaided, isn’t.

Just like your lunch contractors, there’s no such thing as a ‘free liquidation’

Fancy using your own redundancy cash to fund your PSC’s winding-up? No, we didn’t think so -- yet offers abound.

Contractors, be advised if taking the MVL route post-Budget 2020

A look ahead for PSCs whose company closure plans are like IR35 reform -- not scrapped; just shelved.

Closing a company -- more of your key questions answered

Part 2 of what PSC contractors need to know before they close, and during.

Closing a company -- due to IR35 or not

Part one of two on the tricky business of weighing up winding-up, and how to do it.

Contractors' Questions: How to maximise income before winding up?

Limited company exit expert agrees -- nobody wants to raise a red flag to HMRC.

What is a Members' Voluntary Liquidation?

A guide for contractors on MVL -- the process to wind up a solvent company.

Contractors' Questions: Does the new tax year affect Entrepreneurs’ Relief?

What's optimal today for a liquidating PSC was just as optimal before April 6th.

Contractors, beware the wrongful trading rules

Your company being in distress doesn’t discharge you from your duties as its director.

Disincorporation Relief: overview for contractors

Carrying on in business isn't limited to being a limited company.

Contractors' guide to insolvency, Part One

Put your business exit strategy in place if the end is nigh.

Contractors' guide to insolvency, Part Two

Put your business exit strategy in place if the end is nigh.

Contractors' Questions: Can two years’ CGT allowances cover a MVL?

Help for a MVL contractor hoping his CGT allowance isn't capped to a single tax year.

Contractors' Questions: Is formal liquidation for me and how much is it?

Second opinion for a contractor being 'sold' his accountant's £500 service.

Related MVL News and Guides

Getting some closure: How to shut down your limited company
For contractors that need to close their limited: we look at how to achieve a clean and tidy separation.

Closing your Limited Company with a low tax bill
Expert advice on how to extract cash when closing down your company.

Contractors' Questions: How to take £100,000 out of a company I’m closing?
Some liquidating contractors will rethink ahead of a big change to company distribution rules.

Contractors, don't be outlaws like the Robin Hood directors
A few not so Merry Men are compensating the Creditors of Nottingham for wrongful trading.

Contractors' Questions: Does the new tax year affect Entrepreneurs’ Relief?
What's optimal today for a liquidating PSC was just as optimal before April 6th.