Tax Finance Referrals for Accountants
You know your clients' tax obligations before they do. You prepared the accounts, calculated the liability, and know the deadline.
Refer a Client to DBF
When a client cannot pay on time, a referral to DBF takes two minutes and solves the problem - we handle everything from initial terms to completion. This page explains our service, what you need to tell us, and how the referral works.
How DBF Serves Your Clients - At a Glance
| Client situation | DBF product | Typical loan size | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAT bill due, cash flow tight | VAT bridging loan | £20,000-£500,000 | 7-10 days |
| CT bill due, profits reinvested | Corporation tax bridge | £25,000-£2,000,000 | 7-14 days |
| SA tax due, January deadline | Self-assessment bridge | £10,000-£200,000 | 7-14 days |
| CGT on property sale, 60-day window | CGT bridging loan | £15,000-£500,000 | 7-14 days |
| IHT due, probate delayed | IHT bridging loan (executor) | £50,000-£2,000,000 | 10-21 days |
| PAYE arrears, HMRC demanding | PAYE/NI arrears bridge | £20,000-£500,000 | 7-14 days |
Indicative rates - August 2026. Rates change daily. Actual rate depends on LTV, security, credit profile, loan size, and exit strategy. Contact our team for a live rate comparison for your specific case. All rates sourced from lender product sheets and publicly available market data.
What determines your rate
What to tell us - minimum information needed
To provide indicative terms within 2 hours, we need: (1) Tax type and amount. (2) HMRC deadline or date of demand. (3) Available security (what property does the client or company own, and is it mortgaged?). (4) Client contact: best email and number. (5) Any relevant context (compliance history, reason for cash flow gap). That is all. We will do the rest.
FCA regulated - your clients are protected
Doulton Bridging Finance (operating as Doulton Money Ltd) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA regulated). We are a whole-of-market independent broker - we are not tied to any lender. Our advice is required to meet FCA Consumer Duty standards. Your clients receive independent, regulated advice.
How referral remuneration works
DBF is paid a procuration fee by the lender on completed cases. We do not charge your client a broker fee. Referral arrangements between accountants and finance brokers may involve an introducer arrangement - the regulatory requirements for introducers are set out in FCA SYSC and MCOB/CONC rules. We operate a compliant introducer programme and can discuss the appropriate arrangement for your practice.
What you are not doing when you refer
Referring a client to DBF is not giving financial advice. It is signposting a client to a regulated specialist who will advise on options. Your professional obligation is to ensure clients are aware of their options - referring to a regulated broker fulfils this. You are not responsible for the lending decision or the outcome of the finance arrangement.
Speed matters for your clients
Tax deadlines are fixed. A referral that arrives on the day of the deadline is much harder to help than one that arrives a week before. Refer as early as possible - as soon as you know the client cannot pay. We can have indicative terms within hours, formal offers within days.
Worked cost example
Referral example: Accountant for a hospitality business.
"My client has a £65,000 VAT bill due in 10 days. They own a restaurant freehold valued at c.£450,000 with no mortgage. Cash is short due to a slow August. Can you help?"
DBF response within 2 hours:
"Yes - indicative terms: £65,000 at 0.60%/month (very low LTV - 14.4%). 2-month term. Arrangement fee 1%, legal est. £1,800. Total estimated cost: £2,880. We can move to formal offer within 3 working days."
Client outcome: VAT paid on time. No HMRC penalty. Restaurant cash flow normalises in October. Bridge repaid.
BRIDGE COST for client: interest £660 + fee (1%) £650 + legal £1,800 = £3,110 total.
HMRC penalty if VAT missed by 15 days: £3,900 (3% penalty £1,950 + interest).
NET SAVING for client: Bridge (£3,110) saves £790 vs missing the 15-day threshold.
HMRC penalty if VAT missed by 35 days: £6,320 (3%+3% penalties + interest).
NET SAVING for client at 35 days: Bridge (£3,110) saves £3,210.
Accountant: client retained, problem solved - and client told colleagues who also became clients.
Rate context and outlook
Tax bridging referrals from accountants are our fastest-growing enquiry source. The accountant's position - knowing the exact amount, the exact deadline, and the client's asset position - makes the referral highly efficient. A referral from a trusted accountant also means the client acts on our advice quickly. We treat every accountant referral with the urgency it deserves and keep you informed throughout.
Get a personalised rate comparison for your case
Independent, whole-of-market advice across 130+ specialist lenders. Doulton Money Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 814533.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be authorised by the FCA to refer clients to DBF?
Not for making a straightforward referral - you would be acting as an appointed representative or introducer rather than giving regulated financial advice. The FCA rules on introducing or referring clients to regulated firms are nuanced. We recommend you discuss the appropriate arrangement with your professional indemnity insurer and consider whether an introducer registration with the FCA is appropriate for your practice. We can provide information on how our introducer programme works.
Will DBF pay me an introduction fee?
Introducer remuneration arrangements are regulated by the FCA - any payment to a non-authorised party must comply with FCA rules on third-party payments and must be disclosed to the client. We operate a compliant introducer programme. Speak to us about the appropriate arrangement for your practice.
How quickly can you provide terms for my client?
We provide indicative terms within 2 working hours of receiving the minimum information (tax type, amount, deadline, security available, client contact). Formal offers typically issue within 2-5 working days of a formal application. For urgent cases (deadline within 5 days), contact us by phone: 0204 6211776.
What if the client's case is refused?
We will tell you and your client honestly if the case cannot be placed and why. For refused cases, we always suggest alternatives (HMRC TTP, unsecured lender, invoice finance) before closing. We do not simply decline without explanation or alternatives.
Can you work with our practice on a standing arrangement?
Yes - we are happy to establish a formal referral arrangement with accountancy practices. This includes agreed communication processes, a dedicated contact at DBF for your practice, and a regular briefing on the tax finance options we can arrange. Contact us at 0204 6211776 or via the form on this page.
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Refer a case to Doulton
Introduce a client and we handle the finance from first call to completion, keeping you copied throughout. Your relationship stays yours.