At Burgis & Bullock, we support farming families, landowners and rural businesses with clear, practical advice grounded in the reality of running a modern agricultural enterprise. With increasing regulatory pressure, rising asset values and major tax changes on the horizon, proactive planning has never been more important.
Our agricultural team works closely with clients across the region, combining technical expertise with real commercial understanding of farming life – fluctuating commodity prices, rising machinery and labour costs, and ever‑tightening tax rules.
Hi, we’re Phil, Trevor, Sean, Helen & Jayne the Farming & Agriculture
sector experts here at Burgis & Bullock
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Key Government Changes Affecting Farming Businesses
The Autumn Budget 2025 confirmed significant reforms to inheritance tax reliefs that will directly affect farming families and rural enterprises.
From April 2026:
- The long-standing 100% Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) will be capped.
- Full relief will apply only to the first £2.5 million of qualifying assets.
- Assets above this threshold will receive 50% relief only.
For many farming and trading businesses, this represents a fundamental shift. High-value land, property and business assets — particularly those held across family structures or trusts — could now give rise to substantial inheritance tax liabilities.
What farming businesses should do now
From April 2026, practical action can significantly reduce risk. We recommend:
- Reviewing ownership structures across land, property and trading entities.
- Stress-testing inheritance tax exposure under the new £2.5 million relief cap.
- Checking APR and BPR eligibility remains robust as operations evolve.
- Aligning succession plans with commercial and family objectives.
👉A timely review now can protect family assets and avoid costly last-minute decisions later.
Accounting, Tax & Digital Compliance for Agriculture
We manage the full range of accounting, tax and compliance services for farming businesses, including:
- Annual accounts and tax returns
- Income and corporation tax planning
- Making Tax Digital (MTD) support
- Payroll services
- Outsourced finance and bookkeeping functions
Our in-depth knowledge of agricultural accounting ensures nothing is missed – from complex land ownership and partnership arrangements to multi-enterprise farming operations.
Succession & Long-Term Planning
Passing the farm on to the next generation requires coordination, clarity and timely decision-making. No two farms – or families – are the same, so planning must be bespoke.
We support succession planning by:
- Making effective use of APR and BPR
- Managing capital gains tax exposure
- Reviewing business, land and asset ownership structures
- Ensuring wills, trusts and partnership agreements align with long-term objectives
Our aim is simple: keep the farm in the family, minimise tax exposure, and reduce the risk of disputes or unexpected liabilities.
Farming & Agriculture Sector
We have experience of acting for many agricultural clients advising on key issues affecting owners, their businesses and families. As well as dealing with all of your annual accounting and taxation requirements, we also help families with long-term planning and succession issues.
There are many sector specific taxation rules and regulations that affect agricultural businesses. Our team are well placed to deal with these on your behalf, as well as provide sound commercial advice.
We take a proactive approach with clients offering strategic advice based on our leading-edge knowledge of the industry, and the latest developments in regulation and legislation.
Speak to Our Agricultural Specialists
If you run a farm, estate or rural business and want clear, commercially focused advice, our agricultural specialists are here to help.
Whether you are planning succession, diversifying income streams, considering a land transaction or simply need reliable day-to-day accounting support, Burgis & Bullock can guide you through every stage.
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Specialists in farming and agriculture
With our experience and sector knowledge we will add value to your farm or agricultural business and work with you to achieve your business and personal goals.
Annual Taxes
Using the correct structure will always help but there are more industry specific issues to address that affect your annual tax liabilities. Through working in the sector, we have expert knowledge of these, which we use for our clients’ benefit to reduce their tax burden.
These areas include:
- Equipment purchases including timing of acquisitions to maximise relief
- Tax related issues concerning farmhouses and their running costs
- Livestock ‘herd basis’ tax elections and tax efficient stock valuations
- VAT advice, including advice on VAT partial exemption
- Advising on employee accommodation issues
Capital Taxes
The structures used to conduct business will impact on the capital taxes position of the owner. To reduce the impact following a death or the sale of property, it is important to know what reliefs are available to you, which ones you are eligible for and, importantly, those that you could claim. Our team will ensure you are in the most beneficial tax position.
Areas where we regularly help include:
- The specialist areas of inheritance tax, agricultural and business property relief
- Capital gains tax planning, including Business Asset Disposal relief (formerly known as Entrepreneur’s Relief).
- Tax efficient structures for businesses, including diversification projects
- Stamp duty and land taxes
- Trusts advice and compliance
Commercial Issues
Commercial considerations are vital if your venture is to be successful. A well thought out and documented business plan not only helps you to consider your investment of time and funds in your business venture.
Typical areas where we help include:
- Farm succession, planning for retirement and family wealth protection and maximising available reliefs
- Strategic business and tax advice
- Business structures and restructuring
- Advice on accounting software; including Cloud Accounting and Making Tax Digital compliance
- Financing, budgeting & cash flow
- Management reporting and financial analysis
- Financial Planning advice on pensions and investments
There are lots of ways we can help, take a look at all of our services
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