You’ve completed the development, sold the property and turned a solid profit. Now it’s time to celebrate but before you do, there’s one more number to pay attention to: your Corporation Tax bill. After all the risk, planning, and delays, it’s frustrating to see a big portion of your profit go straight to HMRC.

The good news? With the right strategy in place, you can reduce your Corporation Tax bill significantly and reinvest more into your next project, your family’s future, or your long-term legacy. We help property developers structure their success for maximum reward, not maximum tax.

You’ve Made a Profit – Now Let’s Keep It

Corporation Tax is charged at up to 25% on your limited company profits and after a successful property development, that number can feel steep. But the tax system does offer opportunities if you know where to look.

With smart planning, you can use allowances, timing strategies and pension structures to reduce your tax liability without cutting corners or triggering HMRC issues. The key is to act early, not after the year-end deadline.

Capital Allowances and Investment Planning

If your development includes commercial elements – such as office space, shops, or mixed-use buildings, you may be eligible to claim Capital Allowances.

This lets you deduct the cost of qualifying plant, machinery and fixtures from your profits before tax is calculated. Even refurbished residential blocks may include claimable elements in communal areas or shared facilities.

It’s often overlooked, but claiming Capital Allowances correctly can save tens of thousands in tax. We work closely with surveyors and property tax specialists to ensure our clients capture every allowable deduction – including on commercial elements or blocks with communal areas, which often qualify.

Using Pension Contributions to Reduce Tax

Pension planning isn’t just for retirement – it’s also one of the most powerful tools for reducing Corporation Tax.

Your company can make employer contributions to a SSAS pension, which:

• Reduces your taxable profit
• Moves capital into a tax-free investment wrapper
• Can be used (in part) to support future developments through loanbacks or commercial purchases

This strategy allows you to retain control of your wealth, protect it from creditors and grow it outside of the company’s taxable environment, all while reducing your current year’s tax bill.

Offsetting Group Losses or Forward Planning

If you operate through multiple companies – for example, using SPVs for individual developments and a holding company for long-term investment – you may be able to offset group losses against profits elsewhere.

This requires clear structuring and proper use of group relief, but it can allow you to reduce your overall tax bill and plan more effectively across your portfolio.

You can also carry forward allowable losses from previous years if your business had losses in the early phases of trading. This is often missed when switching accountants and at GoldHouse, we always review previous filings to identify what can still be used.

Timing Income and Expenses Strategically

Timing matters in Corporation Tax. Accelerating expenses into the current financial year or deferring income into the next, can legally reduce your tax bill.

You might choose to:

• Complete certain purchases before year-end
• Delay invoicing for a post-year-end sale
• Bring forward necessary repairs or improvements
• Prepay professional fees or insurance

Even a few weeks’ difference in timing can create thousands in tax savings, especially at the end of a high-profit year. This is why regular reviews and mid-year planning sessions are essential.

When to Involve a Tax Specialist

Too many developers leave tax planning to the last minute, or only speak to their accountant once a year. But when it comes to Corporation Tax, early planning equals bigger savings.

A tax-savvy accountant will help you:

• Choose the right company structure
• Maximise deductions and allowances
• Plan pension and profit extraction
• Protect long-term wealth while minimising short-term tax
• Align your financial strategy with future reinvestment goals

At GoldHouse, we go beyond compliance. We act as your financial partner, supporting every stage of your development journey, from acquisition to exit and beyond.

Book a strategy call with GoldHouse today and discover how much more you could keep after your next successful development. Gain clarity, reduce tax, and build a legacy that lasts.