Small firms should not view bonuses as a dirty word – there is no comparison with banking scandals, an expert has warned.

And Sarah Moss, tax director at the Midlands office of PKF Accountants and business advisers, is urging them to pull payments forward to avoid a heavier tax hit next year.

But, she readily admits, it all depends whether SMEs battling the recession can afford it.

Some would want to keep as much cash as possible in the business during such difficult economic times.

Ms Moss said: “There is no doubt that the average man and woman in the street have been shocked at some of the huge bonus and remuneration announcements that have been pouring out of the banks and oil companies.

“Indeed many now view bonuses as the preserve of the greedy.

“But the public need to look at bonuses and dividends completely differently when it comes to owner managed businesses.

“Typically these are very hard working people who build businesses and benefit the economy not only by employing others, but also in many other ways. It has simply been more tax effective for many entrepreneurs at all levels to take the profits out of their company in this way.”

Indeed, she noted, tax changes in the Budget meant it was now sensible for successful entrepreneurs with incomes of £150,000 a year or more to pull bonuses and dividends forward from 2010/11 to the current tax year. Otherwise they may have to pay an additional ten per cent to the Government.

The downside is paying tax sooner than necessary – something Whitehall might appreciate given the state of the public finances – but the upside is avoiding the higher tax rates to come.

But care will be needed regarding payments to shareholders. For example, the wrong move might put the spouse into a higher tax bracket.

And Ms Moss added: “In this climate who wants to be stripping cash out of a business?

“You could take the bonus and then lend the money back to the company, but will you get access to it in the future? It might take you years. There are a lot of ‘what ifs’.”

Similarly Ms Moss has concerns over contributions to pensions.

She cautioned against those rushing to boost their pensions pot for fear they too could take a tax battering.

Urging them to hold off until the relevant legislation obtains Royal Assent, she cautioned that the taxman would pick up on and tax large one-off lump sums paid now and only allow those where regular pension payments had been made.

“It is complicated,” she said. “People need to take advice on all their options.”