THE CHANCELLOR Jeremy Hunt belatedly announced his Autumn Statement today heralding a new phase of austerity and sneaky tax rises.
Here at Shipleys Tax we briefly look at what’s changed… again.
Personal tax
The Chancellor maintained that there were no increases to the headline rates of tax. However, this is somewhat misleading and does not mean that individuals won’t pay more income tax, quite the opposite in fact.
- The threshold at which the 45% rate of income tax kicks in will be reduced from £150,000 to £125,140 from 6 April 2023.
- The personal allowance will remain at the current level until April 2028. As wages are increasing, albeit at a lower rate than inflation, this means that earners will start to pay income tax. The freeze on the 40% tax rate threshold is paid has also been extended by two years to 2028.
- The tax-free dividend allowance will be cut to £1,000 from April 2023 then to £500 the from April 2024.
National Insurance
The employment allowance will remain at the current level of £5,000. The main NI thresholds will also be held at the current level until April 2028 meaning the amount businesses and individuals pay will increase.
Capital gains tax (CGT)
There is no change to the CGT rates, but the annual exempt amount will be cut from £12,300 to £6,000 from 6 April 2023, and then to £3,000 from April 2024.
Corporate Tax changes
- Confirmation of the increase in Corporation Tax to 25% from April 23.
- The £1 million level of the Annual Investment Allowance is being made permanent.
- R&D tax reliefs – for expenditure on or after 1 April 2023, the SME additional deduction will decrease from 130% to 86%.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
The increase in stamp duty land tax allowances to £250k for residential property will be retained, but only until 31 March 2025.
Company cars
- Electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from vehicle excise duty from April 2025.
- First Year Allowance for electric vehicle chargepoints – 100% First Year Allowance for electric vehicle chargepoints will be extended to April 2025.
Other announcements
- IHT – the nil rate band which is the amount an individual can leave tax free on death, will be frozen at £325,000 for a further two years until 2028.
- The energy profits levy will increase to 35% from 25% and extended from four to six years.
- National living wage to increase to £10.42 per hour from 1 April 2023.
- Tax avoidance – the government is investing a further £79 million over the next 5 years to increase HMRC’s capacity to tackle serious fraud, and to reduce non-compliance among wealthy taxpayers.
If you are affected by any of the issues above and would like more information, please call 0114 272 4984 or email info@shipleystax.com.
Please note that Shipleys Tax do not give free advice by email or telephone.