We help businesses navigate tax with confidence
Complex tax challenges demand clarity. We will help you navigate property, business, and investment decisions with precision and confidence.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
SDLT is often misunderstood - and frequently overpaid.
Whether you're acquiring a single dwelling, a portfolio of investment properties, or commercial land for development, the SDLT implications can be significant. Misclassification, oversight of available reliefs, or incorrect assumptions about property use can lead to costly outcomes.
At Hawthorne, we bring expert SDLT knowledge to help clients avoid overpaying and, where appropriate, pursue reclaim opportunities.
Property Taxation
Owning, developing or investing in property brings a complex web of tax exposures and significant planning opportunities.
Our advisory service covers the entire property lifecycle: acquisition, holding, restructuring, development, sale and succession.
For landlords, we provide advice on income tax efficiency, including whether incorporation or partnership structures may improve outcomes. For developers, we advise on the timing and structure of exits to manage Capital gains Tax, Corporation Tax and VAT.
At Hawthorne Tax Advisory, you receive more than tax advice - you gain a discreet, highly personalised specialist who truly understands your position. As a practice, we’re built on precision, integrity and clarity.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Demergers
Business restructuring - whether to prepare for sale, divide assets between owners, or simplify group operations - carries significant tax implications.
We provide specialist guidance to ensure these transactions are tax-efficient, legally compliant, and commercially sound.
We regularly advise on statutory and non-statutory demergers, capital reductions, share-for-share exchanges, and S110 Insolvency Act reconstructions. We also support clients with Substantial Shareholding Exemption (SSE), group relief planning, and the use of share premiums and distributable reserves.
EIS & VCT Advisory
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) offer powerful incentives for UK investors, including 30% income tax relief, CGT deferral or exemption, and loss relief if the investment underperforms.
However, the rules are strict and the compliance requirements detailed. We advise both companies and investors on how to navigate the system.
Business Succession
Business restructuring - whether to prepare for sale, divide assets between owners, or simplify group operations - carries significant tax implications.
We provide specialist guidance to ensure these transactions are tax-efficient, legally compliant, and commercially sound.
We regularly advise on statutory and non-statutory demergers, capital reductions, share-for-share exchanges, and S110 Insolvency Act reconstructions. We also support clients with Substantial Shareholding Exemption (SSE), group relief planning, and the use of share premiums and distributable reserves.
James is incredibly professional and takes time to explain situations in detail. His help and guidance have been invaluable to me over the past few years.
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Advisory Process
Our advisory process begins with understanding your unique circumstances and goals, before developing tailored strategies that balance compliance with long-term efficiency and ongoing support.
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Our relationship begins with a personal, in-depth consultation. James will ask the necessary questions, review any documents and listen carefully to your goals and concerns. This helps us understand not just the tax issue, but its commercial and personal context. If we’re not the right fit, for example, if your matter is compliance-only, we’ll let you know upfront and recommend a suitable alternative.
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You’ll receive a written summary outlining the scope of advice, timescale and fees. Our pricing is always transparent and discussed in advance. For SDLT reviews and reclaims, we often offer contingency-based models. For advisory projects, we propose either fixed fees or hourly estimates depending on complexity.
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We conduct a detailed analysis of your case, supported by legislation, HMRC guidance, and prior case experience. You’ll receive a written report or step plan - usually with diagrams or worked examples - and a follow-up discussion to ensure full understanding. We’ll explore risks, alternatives, and provide a clear recommendation for the way forward.
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We coordinate as needed with your solicitor, accountant or wealth manager to implement our advice. We can draft correspondence, review transaction documents for tax clauses, file HMRC returns, or help with clearance requests. If things change mid-way through, we adapt quickly.
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After the immediate work is done, many clients continue to rely on us for strategic tax insight, investment structuring, or future planning. We remain available year after year - not just as advisers, but as long-term partners in your financial wellbeing.
How We Help
We offer a full CGT advisory service, including:
Pre-disposal reviews to identify reliefs and optimise ownership/timing
Structuring advice for personal or corporate property holdings
CGT computations and HMRC return preparation
Non-resident and ATED-related CGT compliance
Coordination with legal teams on asset/share disposals
Advisory support during due diligence, succession planning or refinancing
Talk to us
If you’re facing a property transaction, restructuring decision, or complex tax question - or if you simply want peace of mind that your affairs are in order - we’d be glad to speak. All enquiries are handled in strict confidence.