Summary of key points from the session, “Holding Company Secrets for SMEs – Tax Savings & Business Expansion Preparation,” conducted by IAS Advisory co-founder Mr Anuwat Ngamprasertkul and firm partner Mr Supachot Prasankiattiraj at FlowAccount’s recent event, “SME How to Scale Expo 2025.”
A “one-company, all-in-one” business model may not be the best long-term solution. Establishing a holding company is a strategy modern SMEs need to know!
⚠️ Problems faced by SMEs without a holding company:
• Double taxation: when reinvesting profits, money flows through the owner (individual), resulting in higher personal income tax rates.
• Risk of portfolio seizure: if one business fails or is sued, then all assets in your name could be seized.
• Difficulty expanding: the structure doesn’t facilitate investor participation in specific projects.
✅ Benefits of a holding company (like having a “Pi Xiu” guarding your assets):
• Tax management: dividends transferred from subsidiaries to the holding company (parent company) can be tax-exempt (subject to conditions). This ensures that there are ample funds available for immediate reinvestment.
• Asset protection: separate “assets” (e.g., land, brands) from the “operating company.” If a subsidiary is sued, then the assets held in the holding company will remain safe.
• Easy business expansion: it’s easy to spin off new businesses or form joint ventures (JVs). Investors can choose to invest only in businesses they are interested in.
💡 Key takeaways: a holding company is a shield and a tool for wealth multiplication.
1️⃣ Separate assets from risk: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Separate risky businesses from important assets.
2️⃣ Plan taxes for further investment: leverage the corporate structure to reduce double taxation, allowing for more working capital to expand the business.
3️⃣ Prepare for the future: a good structure will attract investors and partners more easily and facilitate a smoother transition of the business to future generations.
#FlowAccount #SMEHowToScale2025
