Entrepreneurs’ Relief changes expected in March Budget

Speculation is increasing that the Government will announce significant curbs on Entrepreneurs’ Relief in the Budget, or could even scrap the valuable tax relief altogether.

According to the Financial Times, ministers are concerned that Entrepreneurs’ Relief is too generous to wealthy individuals.

Entrepreneurs’ Relief allows business owners to pay half the usual 20 per cent rate of Capital Gains Tax on gains of as much as £10 million when they dispose of all or part of a business.

Amongst the voices calling for Entrepreneurs’ Relief to be reformed has been the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Speaking to the Financial Times, Craig Beaumont, the FSB’s Director of External Affairs, called for the relief to be refocused away from the wealthiest to more typical entrepreneurs.

He said: “Unlike employees, most don’t have a pension and have been planning to sell their business to fund their retirement.

“A reform to limit Entrepreneurs’ Relief to £1 million, for example, would align well with the pension pots limit.”

The speculation comes after the Conservatives committed to reforming Entrepreneurs’ Relief in their December 2019 General Election Manifesto.