New legislation - HMRC refund for trading losses

By Azets

09 Aug 2021

shutterstock_1494983738.jpg

Last year was a year that many will want to forget.  With the arrival of Covid-19 into our lives, and then various lockdowns being an essential part of containing the virus, many businesses have been hit hard. 

Whilst the furlough scheme went a long way in assisting with ongoing staffing costs it did not counter the remaining fixed costs, such as rent, that businesses were still expected to pay whilst their turnover reduced, often dramatically.

A variety of government-backed loan schemes were run alongside the furlough scheme, but these will ultimately need to be repaid.  

Fortunately, there is some more permanent help available.  In Budget 2021 the Chancellor announced that trading losses incurred by companies in accounting periods ending between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2022 could be carried back for three years instead of the usual 12 months. 

The new legislation applies to businesses of all sizes, however there is a £2m cap on losses carried back more than 1 year.

The result of carrying back a loss is that tax previously paid on profits of earlier years is refundable by HMRC.  This will create a repayment of 19 per cent of the losses utilised, providing a vital cash injection to companies in need of support.

Example

Pub Business Ltd has previously been a successful business, generating consistent profits of £100,000 per annum.  As a result of COVID-19 the loss in the year ended 31 December 2020 was £150,000. 

Under the temporarily extended loss carry back rules, Pub Business Ltd is able to utilise this loss as follows:

Year End

Profit/(Loss) £

Corporation Tax Paid Originally £

Losses Offset £

Tax refundable £

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2017

100,000

19,000

Nil

Nil

31 December 2018

100,000

19,000

(50,000)

9,500

31 December 2019

100,000

19,000

(100,000)

19,000

31 December 2020

(150,000)

Nil

150,000

Nil

 

 

57,000

 

28,500

The net impact of the above is that £28,500 of the tax originally paid by the company is now refundable by HMRC, directly to the company’s bank account.

There is usually a requirement that loss carry back claims are made in a company’s Corporation Tax return.  However, the rules are relaxed slightly for claims of £200,000 or less as the legislation allows these to be claimed by writing to HMRC, outside of the tax return process, in a bid to speed up the availability of cash to struggling businesses. 

Evidence supporting the value of the loss must of course be provided to HMRC if the informal route is taken, but this could take the form of management accounts or summaries taken from the accounting records.

As with all things in the tax world, there are various quirks and loopholes to be aware of which emphasise the need for a trusted business advisor. If your business has struggled with losses in these unprecedented times, with the correct advice and guidance there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. 

There will inevitably be a backlog of these claims for HMRC to process, so now is the time to act to secure your place in the queue and receive cash refunds to support your business as soon as possible.

Our team of trusted business advisors are on hand to offer strategic tax planning and to ensure you remain compliant. To discuss your business and efficient tax planning, contact [email protected]

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin