Tax Planning for Creative Agencies: Save More with Smarter Questions

 
Creative agency founder looking confused while reviewing a tax bill at their desk

Most creative agencies don’t realise they’re overpaying tax.

Not because they’re doing anything wrong — but because they’ve never had the right conversation.

Tax planning isn’t about loopholes or fancy schemes.
It’s about asking better questions.
And when you don’t?
You can end up paying more than you need to.

Why you are Probably Overpaying

You’re told what to pay.
But no one tells you what you could’ve done differently.

That’s why so many agency owners miss:

  • Director pensions they didn’t realise they could expense

  • R&D credits they never knew applied to them

  • Equipment they bought in the wrong tax year

  • Outdated salary/dividend structures that cost more in tax

And these aren’t edge cases.


They’re everyday opportunities that go unnoticed because no one’s looking ahead.

What Tax Planning Really Means

Tax planning isn’t about avoiding tax.
It’s about timing.
Structure.
Visibility.

It means asking things like:

  • What can I claim now vs next year?

  • Should I make a pension contribution this year?

  • Is my remuneration mix still right for my situation?

It’s about getting ahead, not looking back

 
Flat lay of a receipt, laptop and coffee mug on a desk — symbolising missed savings

5 Questions Creative Agencies should Be Asking

Most accountants won’t ask you these.
But you should be asking them:

  1. Could I expense a pension contribution this year?

  2. When should I make key purchases like laptops or equipment?

  3. Am I claiming everything I can for home working or travel?

  4. Does my agency qualify for R&D relief?

  5. Has anyone reviewed my salary/dividend structure in the last 12 months?

If you’re not asking questions like these you’re not tax planning.

You’re just paying what you’re told.

 
Notebook with handwritten “R&D?” and “Director Pension?” in a creative studio

This Isn’t Just About Tax It’s about Control

You’re building something.
And every pound you save gives you more freedom to reinvest.
To hire.
To grow.
To create.

So don’t settle for year-end-only advice.
Don’t wait for your accountant to catch things after the deadline.
Ask now. Plan forward.

 
Two creative professionals in a meeting discussing tax planning with laptops open

Ready To See What You Might Be Missing?

If your accountant isn’t having these conversations with you,
you’re not getting tax planning.
You’re just getting a bill.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

It starts with one question:
What am I missing?

👉 Take the quiz to see what could be possible for you:
https://p1sc.es/5cbootcamp

Smiling creative team walking out of a meeting — overlay text reads “Start asking the right questions”
Virtual finance OfficeAlan Oakesvirtual finance office, virtual finance director