So, you’re thinking about selling your business—maybe not tomorrow, but sometime in the next few years? Great. Now let me ask you something most people don’t think about soon enough: how much of that sale money will you actually keep?
Because here’s the truth: selling your business for a big number is only half the story. What really matters is what ends up in your hands when the dust settles—and what that money can do for your family, your future, and maybe even your next chapter.
Sure, most advisors will talk to you about sale price multiples and tidy exit strategies. A decent accountant might even mention things like BADR or topping up your pension. And while that’s all fine… it’s just not enough. If your business is worth seven figures or more, you deserve a full-spectrum strategy. Something smarter. Something that actually protects what you’ve spent years building.
And that’s where the SAFO comes in.
Why BADR Just Doesn’t Cut It Anymore
Business Asset Disposal Relief used to be the golden ticket. Back when it was called Entrepreneur’s Relief, it meant just 10% tax on your first £1 million in gains. It was a no-brainer.
But, like most good things, it’s been chipped away over time.
Starting April 2025, that 10% becomes 14%. And just one year later, in April 2026? It jumps again to 18%. The £1 million lifetime cap stays put. Meanwhile, the rest of your sale? Still taxed at 20%.
Let’s put some real numbers behind that.
You Sell for £4.35 Million — Here’s What Happens
Scenario 1:Sell in 2025/26 under BADR
- First £1m at 14% = £140,000
- Remaining £3.35m at 20% = £670,000
➡ Total tax = £810,000
➡ You walk away with = £3.54 million
Scenario 2: Sell in 2026/27 under BADR
- First £1m at 18% = £180,000
- Remaining £3.35m at 20% = £670,000
➡ Total tax = £850,000
➡ You walk away with = £3.5 million
Scenario 3: Sell using a SAFO (through Infinitus Consulting)
- Set up your SAFO in advance
- Business is sold by the SAFO, not you personally
- No Capital Gains Tax
➡ Total tax = £0
➡ You keep = the full £4.35 million
Yes, really. That’s up to £850,000 that stays in your pocket instead of going to HMRC. That’s your retirement fund, your kids’ house deposits, or the seed money for your next business. It’s financial breathing room—and it’s fully legal.
So… What Is a SAFO?
Think of a Self-Administered Family Office as your family’s own private holding company. It’s not a pension. It’s not a trust. And it’s definitely not some offshore dodge.
It’s a UK-registered company that holds your assets, runs your investments, and gives you control over how your money is managed and distributed—across generations if you want.
It can:
- Wipe out Capital Gains Tax on your business sale
- Dramatically reduce your personal income tax
- Help eliminate Inheritance Tax over time
And because you control it, you decide how and when money flows. Whether that’s supporting your children, funding a charity, or investing in your next venture—it’s all up to you.
Timing Is Everything
Now, here’s the catch: you can’t set this up two weeks before the sale and expect it to fly.
You need at least 18 to 24 months of lead time. That gives the SAFO a legitimate track record. Real activity. Commercial substance. If HMRC ever looks under the hood, everything needs to stand up to scrutiny.
Miss that window, and your options shrink fast. After all the time you’ve spent building your business, don’t let poor timing cost you hundreds of thousands—or more.
But What About Trusts and Pensions?
Trusts and pensions still have their place—especially for smaller estates or more traditional planning. SIPPs and SSASs can be helpful. And yes, trusts are still powerful for inheritance planning.
But on their own, they come with strings attached:
- Trusts often have steep tax implications
- Pensions have limits on contributions and what you can invest in
- Neither integrates neatly with business sales
The SAFO, on the other hand, brings it all together—a living, breathing financial structure you can shape as your needs evolve.
And Just to Be Clear—This Is 100% Legal
There’s nothing shady about this. No Panama Papers, no dodgy loopholes, no funny business.
Every SAFO is built within the UK, overseen by a top-tier commercial barrister, and structured using well-established legal frameworks. This isn’t about avoiding tax. It’s about structuring your wealth intelligently.
Here’s What to Do Next
If your business could sell for £2 million or more anytime in the next 3 to 25 years, you’ve got a chance to take control—before it’s too late.
We’ll create a custom case study that breaks it all down for you:
- What you’d pay under BADR
- What you’d keep using a SAFO
- And how your family can benefit long after you’ve exited
You’ve built something incredible. Let’s make sure it actually changes your life—not just your tax return.