Ah, tax season – everyone’s favourite time of year, right? The joy of crunching numbers, the excitement of HMRC deadlines looming ever closer… Okay, maybe not. For most businesses, tax time can be a real cashflow killer. But what if there was a way to get ahead of the game and avoid the scramble? Enter tax funding, the unsung hero of working capital solutions.

Whether it’s VAT, corporation tax, or even R&D tax credits, tax funding gives businesses the flexibility to manage their tax bills without wreaking havoc on their cashflow. Let’s dive into the different types of tax funding available and why they might just be the answer to your tax-time woes.

1. VAT loans

VAT – it’s one of those unavoidable costs that likes to pop up quarterly and give your cashflow a nice little shock. But rather than scrambling to pull together enough cash to pay that bill on time, you could opt for a VAT loan instead. These short-term loans are designed specifically to cover your VAT liabilities, letting you meet your obligations without draining your bank account.

Here’s the beauty of it: you don’t have to repay it all in one go. With VAT loans, you spread the cost over the following quarter, usually in two or three manageable payments​. So, when HMRC comes knocking, you’re ready, and your cashflow stays intact.

Example:
Let’s say your VAT bill is £30,000. Instead of paying that lump sum straight away, you take out a VAT loan. You can now split it into 3 payments of £10,000 over the next few months. No drama, no stress, and your business can keep running smoothly.

2. VAT bridging finance – for those larger VAT headaches

If VAT loans are the sticking plaster for your typical VAT payments, VAT bridging finance is like bringing in the heavy artillery. This is particularly handy for businesses involved in property transactions, where VAT can be a significant cost that you’ll eventually reclaim – but until then, you’ve got a big, VAT-shaped hole in your cashflow.

With VAT bridging finance, the lender steps in to cover the VAT liability upfront, so you don’t have to. Once you’ve reclaimed the VAT, you use those funds to pay back the lender​. It’s a straightforward way to smooth out the bumps in big property deals and make sure your cashflow doesn’t take a hit.

Example:
Picture this – you’re buying a commercial property, and the VAT liability is £100,000. Rather than coughing that up and waiting months to reclaim it, you secure VAT bridging finance. The lender covers the VAT, you get the property, and when HMRC processes your reclaim, you repay the lender. Cashflow crisis averted.

3. R&D tax credit advances 

We all know R&D (research and development) can be a big win for businesses – both for innovation and for those sweet tax credits. But the problem with tax credits? You’ve got to wait for them to roll in. And if you’re investing heavily in R&D, waiting isn’t always an option.

Enter the R&D tax credit advance. This handy funding solution gives you an advance on your expected tax credit, so you don’t have to wait for HMRC to approve your claim. You get the cash upfront to cover your expenses, and once the tax credit is paid out, you repay the advance​. It’s a neat little way to keep the wheels turning while you wait for the taxman to play catch-up.

Example:
Your business is expecting a £50,000 R&D tax credit, but you need the cash now to continue your projects. By securing an R&D tax credit advance, you get a chunk of that money upfront, keeping your R&D efforts on track and your cashflow healthy.

4. Corporation tax funding

Corporation tax – the tax we all love to hate. While paying it is a sign your business is doing well (profits, yay!), it can still be a bit of a kick in the teeth when that bill lands. But what if, instead of forking over a huge lump sum, you could spread the cost over the year?

That’s where corporation tax loans come in. These are designed to help you manage your corporation tax payments without wiping out your cashflow. You can spread the payments over 12 months (or less), which is a huge relief if your business experiences seasonal fluctuations or has irregular revenue streams​.

Example:
Your corporation tax bill is £60,000, due next month. Rather than draining your account in one go, you take out a corporation tax loan and spread the cost over 12 months. That’s £5,000 per month, which feels a lot more manageable – and your cashflow remains in good shape.

Let’s face it, tax bills aren’t going anywhere. But with the right tax funding solution, you can manage your obligations without putting a strain on your cashflow. Whether you’re dealing with VAT, corporation tax, or waiting on R&D tax credits, there’s a funding option that can take the pressure off and keep your business running smoothly. Get in touch with our team to discuss any of the above, or your unique tax challenge.

Asset finance is the unsung hero of the business world, allowing companies to spread the cost of vital equipment, machinery, or vehicles over time. Instead of a massive upfront hit, asset finance lets you pay in manageable chunks. Now, with the new Growth Guarantee Scheme (an upgrade of the Recovery Loan Scheme), it’s about to get even better for UK businesses.

So, what’s the deal with this Growth Guarantee Scheme? Well, it’s designed to provide businesses with ongoing access to finance, as they recover from the pandemic’s aftermath. Whether you’re replacing outdated machinery or acquiring new tech to stay ahead of the curve, the scheme opens the door to asset finance solutions that were previously out of reach. Basically, it lowers the risk for lenders, meaning they’re more likely to say ‘yes’ to funding your business needs.

The magic of asset finance is in its flexibility. Thanks to the Growth Guarantee Scheme, SMEs can now explore a broader range of financing options without putting their balance sheets at risk. Whether it’s a hire purchase arrangement, leasing, or refinancing existing assets, you get more breathing room to manage your cash flow while still getting the kit you need to keep your business thriving.

For businesses worried about taking on too much debt, asset finance is a much more palatable option. And with the government’s backing, it becomes even less of a gamble for lenders. It’s a win-win: You get access to the tools your business needs to grow, and the lenders feel confident they’re making a sound investment.

If you’re looking to grow or upgrade but you’re concerned about cashflow, now’s the time to explore how the Growth Guarantee Scheme and asset finance could work for you. Get in touch with us today.

What is your role at CCBS and how did you get here?
I’ve just joined CCBS Group as Business Development Director after 20 years in finance including Bibby Financial Services, Shawbrook Bank and most recently Allica Bank. I’ve worked with some of the CCBS team previously so it’s great to be reunited!

Which desk were you hoping to get?
One by the window but I’m not holding my breath, ha!

What will a typical day look like for you at CCBS?
I’m expecting a lot of variety day-to-day but initially lots of getting out to catch up with the local business community, spreading the word about how we can help them to secure finance to help them take their next steps.

How do you take your tea?
I’m a coffee man (or beer!).

If you weren’t Business Development Director at CCBS, what other job would like to be doing? I’ve wanted to be something to do with movies since I was little – ideally on the writing or directing side as I loved movies as a kid. I remember a careers day at school when the computer system calculated my perfect job would be a fence erector – but I’m terrible at DIY so it’s a good job I had a head for finance instead!

What do you do in your spare time?
I have two young children so I don’t have spare time! No it’s great really – my kids have an incredibly full calendar so I find myself at football and dance practices and competitions all the time – and I genuinely love it. Grassroots sports is so important in my view and I get as much out of supporting them as my kids do from participating. I really like that CCBS Group really buy into this too and have their own grassroots sponsorship program to support local clubs.

Have you ever played a sport naked?
Not intentionally but I have had my shorts pulled off during a particularly aggressive water polo game on holiday once.

Meet up with Michael for a coffee (or a beer) and get to know more about his expertise and how he could help you take your next steps by emailing him at michael@ccbsg.co.uk.

We’re very pleased to announce that we have appointed Michael Horner as Business Development Director to further bolster support for North East business community.

Peter Cromarty, Managing Director at CCBS Group, said of the appointment:

“Michael will be an incredibly valuable addition to CCBS, complementing the team’s skills and expertise, whilst bringing new experiences and ideas from his time in commercial mortgages, broker management and asset-based lending over the last two decades. His appointment is part of our wider strategy to expand the support available to SMEs across the North East from Northumberland to Teesside this year, which has also seen us open a new office in Stockton to increase our availability to businesses in the south of the region.

Michael has enjoyed a 20-year career in finance, including senior roles at Bibby Financial Services, Shawbrook Bank and most recently Allica Bank. He said:

“Securing finance has been difficult for SMEs and the last turbulent four or five years has not made this any easier. CCBS Group has the knowledge and experience to make this a lot simpler for local businesses and I’m looking forward to being a part of this. My role will be to spread the word, let the local business community know we’re here and to provide tailored solutions to help them with their next steps.”

Peter added:

“We’re looking forward to celebrating Michael’s arrival at CCBS and our tenth anniversary supporting businesses in the North East this autumn with some exciting events. Our door is always open – in Newcastle and Stockton – so feel free pop in and get to know Michael and the rest of the team anytime.”

One of the lesser known solutions in the working capital space is the specialist lending available to fund tax obligations.

The market has developed tools to assist businesses with funding different tax scenarios and the use of these different solutions is becoming more widespread as lenders refine their products. The important thing to understand is these products are very proactive; typically clients looking at this type of funding to support working capital would look to engage well ahead of time, to fund current and upcoming tax obligations.

You can find out more about the different solutions on our Working Capital page (scroll to the end). Below are two different tax-related deals we’ve completed for client recently – if you would like to hear more about these or would like to discuss your own situation, get in touch.

What is your role at CCBS and how did you get here?
I’m Operations Director, and my role has changed over the years at CCBS. I was the first member of the team to come in following Peter forming the business. Having worked in commercial banking and invoice finance across a number of years I took the leap over the fence into intermediary side, working with Peter initially for a national asset finance network. The learning curve was steep and working with a much wider range of clients than I had previously. To try and hit the ground running I built relationships quickly with different lenders. This network and knowledge is what I brought into CCBS almost six years ago and I continue to build and develop it. It’s hard to believe I have been here for this long, a lot has changed professionally and personally. We’ve changed a lot as a business, grown the team, developed into a far wider offering and certainly nowhere near finished!

What is your specialism in the team?
More important than specialisms, our work is all about the relationships we have. I feel like the understanding I have built across a range of different lending products sets CCBS apart. Things are always changing and it’s critical that we keep up to date – indeed, where we work with the same client their circumstances do change over time, and we have to adapt our approach. Assimilating the essence of what the client is looking for, where they’re at in terms of trading to match against funders with appetite to support is integral. It’s a consultative approach on both sides of this which is a huge driver this us.

What is a typical day like for you at CCBS?
I’m normally the one in the office early doors! I have always been an early bird. We’re a communal business and we do work really closely together so we rely heavily on being in and around one another in the office. It’s no cliché to say no day or week or month is ever the same – the variety of services we provide is testament to that. A lot of what I do on a daily basis is keeping things moving forward, talking with lenders, talking about different options and then finding ways to use them in practice.

What do you do in your spare time?
Outside of the day-to-day I have played tennis from a young age, albeit not as often as I’d like, getting back into this is a focus this year for me. I’ve had a season ticket at Newcastle for a number of years, and there’s routine to a match day, a rhythm that I really enjoy, same pubs, same route up to the ground, the lads I go with think I’m stupid! I probably am, but it keeps me happy!  On top of that, we bought a house two years ago so we’re in the middle of renovating and upgrading the house, in and amongst walking the Northumberland Coast with the newest addition the family Lilly half Border Collie, half Labrador.

If you weren’t Operations Director at CCBS, what other job would like to be doing?
From doing my A Levels I wanted to work in finance and for a time I had aspirations to be a stockbroker but soon came to realise that it wasn’t right for me. That intrigue into the workings of the economy took me into the bank and financial services. That said having bought a new house which is definitely in the category of a ‘doer upper’ I’ve found I really like painting and decorating. In fact I painted the wall in the CCBS office as I had all the gear. It’s pretty boring, but I find it relaxing – headphones in and just leave me to it. Everyone needs a painter and decorator right?! “MJ Decorators” – I could even fund my own van!

We have opened our first office in Tees Valley, highlighting our commitment to supporting SMEs in the region.

The new office at Hastings House in Stockton will provide a base for our team to support clients in Tees Valley and Durham and is in addition to our office in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where we started the business nearly 10 years ago. Peter Cromarty, our Managing Director, said:

“This year we’ve made a commitment to Tees Valley so we can support businesses as they navigate the opportunities and challenges in the region like the Teesworks development, the Freeport and upcoming mayoral and national elections which may change the landscape yet again.

“We’ve seen a rise in business owners needing support with working capital so that they can capitalise on the opportunities on their doorsteps but we’re also seeing SMEs with very complex financial situations who need specialist support to take their next steps. We’re looking forward to getting to know our new neighbours and building strong relationships with both existing and new clients and intermediaries south of the region – so if you’re in the area, our door’s always open for a chat and cuppa.”

The new office is located at Hastings House, 5 Falcon Court, Preston Farm, Stockton on Tees, TS18 3TS.

What is your role at CCBS and how did you get here?
I founded CCBS in 2014 after a number of roles working for financial institutions predominantly in the asset-based lending space. The role initially was to help North East entrepreneurs and business owners navigate the new funding landscape that had arisen after the banking crisis of 2008. The commercial finance brokerage element quickly moved to a little more than that, where we provide support to businesses around cashflow processes and often being a sounding board to clients who need help on strategic business decisions

What is your specialism in the team?
Other than running CCBS as a business, which takes more and more time as we grow, I mostly focus on all matters working capital finance. I have a lot of experience over the years, in corporate finance and corporate recovery transactions, which tends to help clients and professional intermediaries on deals.

What is a typical day like for you at CCBS?
The beauty about CCBS is that there isn’t a typical day, but it will consist of working on existing transactions with clients and intermediaries and looking for new ones too. That, interspersed with the nitty gritty of running the business and strategic planning, and supporting the team as best I can pretty much fills the time.

What do you do in your spare time?
I used to play a lot of rugby and cricket back in the day but I’m confined to watching those sports now. My real passion now is golf and I really enjoy playing socially and competitively in weekly competitions at Close House Golf Club where I’m a member. Other than that, spending time socially with my family and friends and also travelling.

Have you ever played golf naked?
Only once before and it was so cold the head fell off my mashie niblick.

If you weren’t Managing Director at CCBS, what job would you be doing?
Well if I had my choice I would be in a band, probably a lead singer and/or lead guitarist. On the basis I can’t play the guitar and I’m a dodgy karaoke singer at best then I think this was never going to be a reality, so realistically I think I would have been an insolvency practitioner as it’s the easiest job in the world.

What is your role at CCBS and how did you get here?
I’ve led the marketing at CCBS since 2019, after a varied B2B/B2C marketing career in-house and agency side including at St Oswald’s Hospice and Different Narrative. I work across event preparation, email marketing, case studies and PR, website and social comms and advertising and sponsorships, bringing the team’s ideas to life and making sure there is an avatar for every occasion!

What is a typical day like for you at CCBS?
A typical day in the office starts with a catch-up with the team and a strong Yorkshire Tea, then we get stuck into the current projects – this could be anything from writing new case studies and blogs, liaising with partners for content, planning animation storyboards or updating the website. We have a great structured approach which aligns to our audiences, but with wiggle room for a bit of fun too. I learn so much working with everyone and their specialisms – it’s a really close, supportive team and part of my job is to make sure our clients, intermediaries and prospects see the real CCBS; the expertise, the integrity and the dedication to getting the best solutions for each individual situation.

What do you do in your spare time?
I am a super keen gardener in my spare time and study at college one day a week for my RHS qualifications. Not sure what I’ll do with it but I’ve met some great people and learned so many new skills. I am also training for the Darlington 10k  – I haven’t run since the 2012 Great North Run when I swore I’d never run again – but I’ll be fundraising for CALM which is a good reason to get my trainers on again (if you’d like to sponsor the team, please donate here!).

If you weren’t working at CCBS, what other job would you like to be doing?
There are so many things I’d like to try! I’d like to write a biography of someone unheard of, maybe work in a botanical garden, have a small holding with some llamas, run a bookshop which is also a cocktail bar…the list is so long! Maybe I can combine some of them…

What is your role at CCBS and how did you get here?
My career prior to joining CCBS was spent in ABL and Trade Finance. I originally started on a graduate scheme with an independent organisation, before moving into banking. The fast-paced, results-oriented world of the independent space coupled with the exposure to larger, more complex funding structures in banking put me in good stead for CCBS.

What is your specialism in the team?
My role within the business is to plan and implement the business development strategy, however, much like the rest of the team, most of my time is spent working with clients, intermediaries and funders, providing funding solutions and structuring finance facilities.

What is a typical day like for you at CCBS?
There is no typical day at CCBS. Although we all work from the office as much as possible, we’re regularly out meeting clients, funders and intermediaries. When we’re in the office we’re typically writing credit proposals or negotiating with funders to get the best possible outcome for our clients. The rest of the time is spent rotating the many plants around the office and arguing over the temperature.

What do you do in your spare time?
Spare time, what’s that!? I have a toddler so she takes up 99% of it, however, I do like to squeeze in the odd gig, game of football or afternoon in the pub if the opportunity presents itself.

Have you ever played football naked?
No.

If you weren’t working at CCBS, what other job would you like to be doing?
As a kid I was fascinated with history and always wanted to be an archaeologist. I imagined a life like Indiana Jones, travelling the world and discovering hidden tombs however, as part of my A-Level History course we spent a day at a local dig, which, let’s just say did not live up to expectations. The pace was so slow that banking and finance suddenly became an exciting alternative. I’d still love to do it as a career though.