New tax planning service saves local businesses over £1M

The 31 January tax deadline was a more positive experience for several local businesses, thanks to a new tax planning service that delivered significant savings.

Launched in 2024 by Exeter-based specialist accountants The Fresh Accountancy Company, the 'no risk' tax planning service is designed to help clients achieve genuine savings. The first businesses to sign up collectively saved an impressive £1,021,000.

The Fresh Accountancy Company charges a fixed monthly fee for the service, determined by the client’s turnover. However, if the expected savings do not materialise, the fee is fully refundable.

Fresh’s founder, Tom Baker, explained: “As these initial clients discovered, the savings can far outweigh the fee – and we are so confident in our ability to find tax savings that if we don’t, we refund the full amount.”

The service begins with a comprehensive review by Fresh’s tax experts, who assess all aspects of a client’s business to identify potential savings. This includes strategies such as optimising the timing of expenditures to maximise tax benefits.

“It might sound too good to be true, but there's no devious accounting involved! All our tax planning advice is fully HMRC-compliant. We find savings because we know tax inside out – and we love a challenge.”

In addition to researching savings, the service offers full-scale tax planning support, including detailed annual tax reports, pre-year-end tax planning meetings, and ongoing consultation to ensure long-term tax efficiency.

“We’re delighted that the first clients to subscribe to the service had such a positive outcome,” Baker added. “Businesses should, of course, pay the tax they owe, but many are paying more than necessary. In today’s tough economic climate, these savings can make a real difference to a company’s future.”

The ‘no win, no fee’ model makes this a risk-free option, as Fresh guarantees to refund any shortfall if the savings do not at least match the fees. Where savings are found, the fee covers implementation.

The Fresh Accountancy Company serves over 200 clients across various sectors, primarily within a 25-mile radius of Exeter. These businesses typically have between 10 and 50 employees and a turnover of between £1 million and £4 million.