What the 2025 Budget Means for Directors and Owner-Managed Businesses
The 2025 Autumn Budget delivered one of the most consequential sets of tax changes for directors and owner-managed businesses in recent years. While headline rates for corporation tax remain unchanged, the real impact for business owners lies in the reforms to dividends, income tax thresholds, and National Insurance on pension contributions — all of which will directly affect how directors pay themselves, how they plan, and how much tax they ultimately owe.
For directors of limited companies, this Budget marks a turning point. Here’s what you need to know — and what actions you should be taking now before the new rules begin in April 2026 (and later in 2029).
Dividend Tax Is Increasing by 2 Percentage Points
From April 2026, dividend tax rates rise across the board.
New rates will be:
10% → 12% (basic rate)
33.75% → 35.75% (higher rate)
39.35% → 41.35% (additional rate)
For many directors, dividends are the most tax-efficient form of extraction.
But with these increases — alongside frozen income tax thresholds — the gap between salary and dividends narrows.
What this means for directors:
Higher personal tax liabilities on the same level of dividends.
Increased pressure on salary-versus-dividend optimisation.
The need for forward planning before April 2026 to make the most of the current rates.
This is a key moment to review your extraction strategy for 2025/26 and 2026/27.
Frozen Income Tax Thresholds = “Fiscal Drag” Until 2031
Thresholds for income tax and National Insurance will remain frozen until 2031–32.
This means that even modest pay rises or increased dividends can push directors into higher tax bands — not because they’re earning more in real terms, but because the thresholds are not moving with inflation.
The impact on business owners:
More directors will fall into the higher-rate band.
Those already in higher-rate may be pushed into the additional-rate threshold sooner.
Combined with dividend tax rises, overall tax take from directors will increase significantly.
This makes accurate forecasting and scenario planning essential for the year ahead.
Salary vs Dividend Strategy: What Changes in 2026?
The classic tax-efficient mix of:
low salary
higher dividends
…may no longer produce the same advantages from April 2026.
Directors will need to review:
whether a slightly higher salary makes more sense
how pension contributions fit into their overall plan
the timing of dividend declarations before the rate rise
whether to advance planned distributions into 2025/26
There is no one-size-fits-all approach — which is exactly why tailored advice is crucial.
Salary Sacrifice Pension Contributions Over £2,000 Will Face NI (From 2029)
One of the biggest long-term changes is the reform of salary sacrifice pensions.
From April 2029, pension contributions made through salary sacrifice above £2,000 per year will be subject to employee and employer National Insurance.
This will heavily impact:
higher-earning directors
business owners contributing large amounts to retirement
companies using pensions as a key tax-efficient extraction tool
What this means now:
Directors should begin reviewing their pension strategy well ahead of 2029, particularly if they regularly contribute above the new threshold.
Northern Ireland NIC Considerations
While NIC rates are UK-wide, NI businesses face different operational pressures and cost structures. The Budget changes will particularly affect:
family-owned companies
small professional practices
owner-managed businesses with high dividend dependence
NI firms competing with ROI businesses in lower-tax environments
The earlier you model the impact, the smoother the transition into 2026+ will be.
What Directors Should Do Now (Before April 2026)
Here are the practical next steps we’re advising:
1️⃣ Review your 2025/26 dividend position
It may be beneficial to declare additional or earlier dividends before the rate rise.
2️⃣ Revisit your salary/dividend ratio
The optimal balance is changing — and will be different for every company director.
3️⃣ Conduct a full personal tax forecast
Identify whether frozen thresholds will push you into a new tax band.
4️⃣ Review pension contributions over the next three years
Particularly for high earners who use salary sacrifice.
5️⃣ Update cashflow forecasts for increased personal tax liabilities
Especially if you rely heavily on dividends for income.
6️⃣ Book a personalised extraction planning session
This is the single best way to minimise tax leakage and optimise your strategy under the new rules.
How Exchange Can Help
This Budget represents one of the biggest shifts for owner-managed businesses in a decade.
We’re here to help you navigate it with clarity and confidence.
Our team can provide:
personalised profit extraction planning
tax modelling for 2026–2031
pension and NI planning advice
forecasting for dividend and salary strategies
end-of-year optimisation reviews
Because when the rules change, the smartest thing you can do is review your strategy early.
If you’re a director or business owner and want tailored advice before April 2026, get in touch with our team.
📞 028 9263 4135
📧 info@exchangeaccountants.com
🌐 www.exchangeaccountants.com
Let’s Grow Together.
