Calculate the tax payable if your directors loan account remains overdrawn after 9 months from year end.
Amount you owe the company
S455 Tax Due
£0
33.75% of loan
Outstanding Balance
£0
After partial repayment
S455 Deadline
-
Payment due date
Refund Available
-
After loan repaid
Benefit in Kind on Interest-Free Loan
Calculate the taxable benefit if you borrow over £10,000 at below the official rate of interest.
Average throughout the tax year
Current HMRC official rate (2025/26)
Taxable Benefit
£0
Reported on P11D
Your Tax Cost
£0
Per year
Employer NI
£0
Class 1A at 15%
Total Annual Cost
£0
Tax + Employer NI
Loan Clearance Options
Compare different ways to clear an overdrawn directors loan account.
Comparison of Clearance Methods
Method
Cost to You
Company Cost
Total Cost
Notes
S455 Tax Timeline
Understanding the key dates for directors loan accounts is crucial for tax planning.
Company Year End
Balance of directors loan account is assessed. Any overdrawn amount triggers potential S455 liability.
9 Months After Year End
Critical deadline! If loan not repaid by this date, S455 tax (33.75%) becomes payable with the corporation tax.
Loan Repayment Date
Once you repay the loan, the clock starts on your S455 refund.
9 Months After Repayment
S455 tax is refunded to the company. You can claim this on your next CT600 return.
Example Timeline
If your year end is 31 March 2024, the S455 deadline is 1 January 2025. If you repay the loan on 30 June 2025, the refund becomes available on 1 April 2026.
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Understanding Directors Loan Accounts
A Directors Loan Account (DLA) records all financial transactions between a company director and their limited company. When a director withdraws money beyond their salary and dividends, the account becomes overdrawn, triggering potential tax consequences.
What Counts as a Directors Loan?
Cash withdrawals from company account
Personal expenses paid by company
Company credit card personal use
Assets purchased for personal use
Excessive expense claims
S455 Tax Facts
Rate: 33.75% (matches higher rate dividend)
Due: 9 months + 1 day after year end
Payable: Via CT600 corporation tax return
Refundable: 9 months after loan repaid
Not a penalty - it's a holding tax
Benefit in Kind Rules
Applies to loans over £10,000
Official rate: 2.25% (2025/26)
Report on form P11D
You pay income tax on benefit
Company pays Class 1A NI (15%)
Bed and Breakfasting Rules Explained
The "bed and breakfasting" rules prevent directors from repaying loans just before the S455 deadline and then immediately re-borrowing. HMRC introduced these anti-avoidance rules to stop artificial loan repayments.
30-Day Rule
Loan repaid and re-borrowed within 30 days? Repayment doesn't count.
£15,000 Threshold
Only applies if repayment is £15,000 or more.
Arrangements Rule
HMRC can challenge if they believe there was an arrangement to re-borrow.
Safe Harbours
Scenario
S455 Treatment
Risk Level
Repay £10,000, wait 31+ days, borrow £10,000
S455 refund allowed
Low risk
Repay £20,000, borrow £5,000 within 30 days
£15,000 repayment counts, £5,000 matched
Medium risk
Repay £20,000, borrow £20,000 within 30 days
No repayment counts for S455
High risk - S455 remains due
Repay via dividend offset (genuine)
S455 refund allowed
Low risk if documented
Warning: HMRC Scrutiny
HMRC actively reviews director loan accounts during company enquiries. Ensure all transactions are properly documented with board minutes and clear commercial rationale.
Loan Clearance Strategies
There are several legitimate ways to clear an overdrawn directors loan account. The best option depends on your personal circumstances, the company's financial position, and your tax situation.
Combination Strategy
Many directors use a combination of methods. For example, taking a small dividend each month to gradually reduce the loan while avoiding higher rate tax bands.
HMRC Official Interest Rates
The official rate of interest is set by HMRC and used to calculate the benefit in kind on director loans. It changes periodically based on market conditions.
Period
Official Rate
BIK per £10,000 Loan
Tax (40% rate)
6 April 2024 onwards
2.25%
£225
£90
6 April 2023 - 5 April 2024
2.25%
£225
£90
6 April 2021 - 5 April 2023
2.00%
£200
£80
6 April 2020 - 5 April 2021
2.25%
£225
£90
6 April 2017 - 5 April 2020
2.50%
£250
£100
Tip: Pay Interest at the Official Rate
If you pay interest to your company at the official rate (2.25%), no benefit in kind arises. The company receives taxable interest income, but this may be more tax-efficient overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a directors loan account (DLA)?
A directors loan account is a record of all financial transactions between a company director and their limited company, excluding salary, dividends, and expense reimbursements. When you withdraw more money than you're entitled to, the account becomes overdrawn (you owe the company money). When the company owes you money, the account is in credit.
How is S455 tax calculated?
S455 tax is calculated at 33.75% of the outstanding loan balance at your company year end. For example, if you owe £30,000 at year end and don't repay within 9 months, the company pays £10,125 (£30,000 × 33.75%) to HMRC. This rate matches the higher rate dividend tax rate and is designed to recoup the tax that would have been paid if you'd taken the money as a dividend.
Can I write off a directors loan?
Yes, but with significant tax consequences. If the company writes off your loan, it's treated as a distribution and you pay income tax as if it were a dividend (8.75%, 33.75%, or 39.35% depending on your tax band). The company must also pay Class 1A National Insurance at 15% on the loan amount. Additionally, the write-off cannot be treated as an expense for corporation tax purposes.
What happens if I die with an outstanding directors loan?
If a director dies with an outstanding loan, the debt doesn't automatically disappear. The company can pursue the estate for repayment, or it can write off the loan. If written off, it's treated as a distribution to the estate and may be subject to income tax. However, with proper planning (such as life insurance policies), this can be managed. The company may also be able to claim S455 relief once the loan is settled.
Is there a limit on how much I can borrow from my company?
There's no legal limit on how much a director can borrow from their company, but there are practical and tax considerations. Loans over £10,000 trigger benefit in kind taxation. Large loans tie up company cash and attract S455 tax if not repaid in time. Banks and investors may view large director loans negatively. If your company becomes insolvent, you may be required to repay the loan immediately.
How do I record a directors loan in my accounts?
Directors loans appear on the company's balance sheet as either a debtor (if you owe the company) or a creditor (if the company owes you). The loan should be disclosed in the notes to the accounts with details of the director's name, opening balance, advances, repayments, interest charged, and closing balance. For loans over £10,000, the benefit in kind must be reported on form P11D.
Can I borrow from my company to buy a house?
Yes, but it's rarely tax-efficient. While you can borrow for any purpose, a large loan (e.g., £200,000 for a house deposit) would create a significant benefit in kind (£4,500/year at 2.25%), plus potential S455 tax if not repaid within 9 months. It also ties up company cash. Better alternatives often include taking larger dividends over time, obtaining a personal mortgage, or using a family investment company structure.
What's the difference between S455 and S419?
S455 (Corporation Tax Act 2010) replaced S419 (Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988). They serve the same purpose - taxing loans to participators - but S455 is the current legislation. The rate increased from 25% (S419) to 32.5%, then to 33.75% (S455) to align with dividend tax rates. If you see references to S419, they relate to older tax years before 2010.
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Founder & Developer - UKCalculator.com
The UK Calculator team is the founder and developer of UKCalculator.com, providing free, accurate calculators for UK residents.
Last updated: February 2026 | Verified with latest UK rates
Expert Reviewed — This calculator is reviewed by our team of financial experts and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: February 2026.
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