Stephen Goldstraw

Consultant

Stephen is a tax consultant specialising in all areas of business taxation. He advises companies and individuals on a wide range of taxes, including VAT, capital gains tax and stamp duty land tax. He also advises both employers and employees on employee share incentives and non-residents on property investments in the UK.

An Oxford scholar, Stephen spent four years with a magic circle law firm, before joining one of the big four international accountancy firms as a tax consultant in 1985. He joined the firm in 1989 and became a partner in 1990, a position he held until 2024. Having worked in both the accountancy and legal professions, Stephen is well placed not only to offer strategic planning advice but also to advise on the financial consequences of that planning.

Tax can be pretty complicated, but I try to keep my advice simple and pragmatic. At the end of the day, clients want to know what they should do, not why they should not do something different. I try to bear that in mind, no matter how technically interesting the tax points become.

Stephen Goldstraw, Consultant

Stephen has always acted for many property and property development companies, advising on both commercial and residential purchases and developments. He has assisted a number of colleges and universities on spin-out and similar transactions. He also advises on the enterprise investment scheme, entrepreneurs’ relief and R&D tax incentives.

Recent work highlights

Life insurance investments

Giving tax advice on the purchase of property investments for a life insurance company, including VAT, SDLT and corporation tax advice.

Business acquisition for charity

Advising on the acquisition of a trading company and the hive-up of its business, including advice on primary purpose trading and the VAT treatment of education-related supplies.

Local authority developments

Advising on the tax implication of structuring property development activities for a local authority.

SDLT refunds

Securing refunds of SDLT for property investment funds caused by changes in the practice of HM Revenue and Customs.

VAT treatment of health products

Advising an overseas company on the VAT liability of selling certain health products in the UK.

Demerger of trading assets

Advising an entrepreneur on the tax consequences of a capital reduction demerger to partition a company’s trades into separate ownership.