High Earner & Director Accounting: What to Look For
High earners and company directors face tax challenges that standard compliance accountants rarely encounter: the 60% effective marginal tax rate between £100,000 and £125,140 where the personal allowance tapers, pension annual allowance complications, the high-income child benefit charge, optimal salary-dividend-pension extraction strategies, and the interaction between multiple income sources. A specialist understands how to model different scenarios across tax years, time dividends to minimise the effective rate, use pension contributions strategically to recover lost personal allowances, and structure remuneration to balance tax efficiency with commercial reality.
General guidance reviewed 12 July 2026 · How we review content
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Self Assessment
Filing your personal tax return accurately and on time.
Corporation Tax
Expert corporation tax compliance and planning for limited companies.
Tax Planning
Strategic tax planning to minimise your tax liability legally.
Inheritance Tax Planning
Strategic estate planning to minimise inheritance tax liability.
Management Accounts
Monthly or quarterly management reporting for better business decisions.
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Technology & SaaS
Accounting for tech companies, software businesses, and SaaS startups across the UK.
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Accounting for consultancies, law firms, recruitment agencies, and professional service businesses.
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Accounting for financial advisers, insurance brokers, fintech companies, and regulated firms.
High Earner & Director FAQs
What is the 60% tax trap?
Between £100,000 and £125,140 of adjusted net income, your personal allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 of income over £100,000. This creates an effective marginal rate of approximately 60% (40% income tax plus the effect of losing the personal allowance). Pension contributions can be used to reduce adjusted net income below £100,000.
How should a director pay themselves?
There is no universal salary-dividend formula. Employer and employee National Insurance, Employment Allowance eligibility, dividend rates, other income, distributable profits, pension objectives, benefits, and personal cash needs all affect the result.
Can pension contributions help with tax planning?
Yes. Employer pension contributions reduce your company's Corporation Tax bill. Personal contributions receive tax relief. Both reduce adjusted net income, which can restore the personal allowance, reduce the high-income child benefit charge, and avoid the 60% trap. The annual allowance is £60,000 for most people, with carry-forward available for unused allowance from the previous three years.
Choosing an accountant for high earner & director needs?
Use the checks in this guide, browse public-record listings, and confirm relevant experience directly before appointing a firm.