Farmers’ Averaging: It pays to spread

Jun 16, 2017
Author: Dan Wood
Dan acts as a commercial partner for a wide range of clients. Dan specialises in advising businesses in the agriculture sector.
farmers' averaging

Farmers’ Averaging: It pays to spread

The tax relief known as farmers’ averaging is designed to provide tax relief for farmers who can be affected by fluctuating profits. Averaging rules were first introduced to the UK tax system in 1997.

Two consecutive years can be added together and half assessed in each of the two years. Rules only apply to unincorporated businesses where profits are liable to income tax.

Agricultural contractors and farms where farming activity is part of a larger trade that includes significant non-farming activities are excluded.

The Finance Act 2016 brought about some changes, however, farmers are now allowed (2016/17) to average over five years and this does not reduce overall taxable profits but simply allocates them equally between the years.

Profits can be averaged if:

  • The profits of one year are less than 75% of the other years
  • One year is profitable and the other is loss making

The profit to be averaged is an individual’s taxable profits after deducting capital allowances. Each party has to elect separately and different partners can make different decisions.

 

  • A loss making year is treated as a zero profit
  • Averaging cannot be claimed in opening or closing years
  • Averaging can be used to:
    • Use up personal allowances
    • Reduce marginal rates of tax
    • Reduce the impact of reaching certain income levels
  • I.e. ÂŁ50,000 High income Child Benefit Commences
  • I.e. ÂŁ100,000 Withdrawal of personal allowances commences.

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