Tax Action tips: Trading losses for self-employed or partnerships

If you are self-employed or in a partnership that has made losses be sure to utilise them effectively.  You have a few options: 

• Trading losses made in the current tax year can be offset against other taxable income (such as employment earnings or bank interest) in the current or preceding tax year.  Relief is obtained by the total of the loss being deducted from the taxpayers taxable income.

• Trading losses can be carried forward to future years and used against profits.  However, be aware that if you carry the losses forward they can only be used against profits of that same trade.  So they can not be set off against any other kind of income like you can if using the losses in the year they arise.

• Additional rules are in place for trading losses arising in the first 4 years of trading.  If a loss is made in any of the first 4 years of trading then the loss carry back rules against general income are extended to the preceding 3 years instead of 1.