Autumn Budget 2022 – Take 2

Last week, the new-new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, delivered the new-new Autumn Budget in Parliament. There’s some good news; inflation is predicted to begin to fall half way through 2023. And there’s bad news; we’re officially in a recession. 

So let’s take a look at the relevant updates that will directly affect individuals and small-medium businesses.

Income Tax

In a complete 180° turnaround from last months ‘Mini Budget’ where the additional rate of tax (at 45%) was to be axed altogether, today it has been announced that the threshold for the additional rate of tax would be lowered from £150,000 to £125,140 per year. This will take effect from April 2023 and is estimated to bring an additional 250,000 people into this tax bracket. The basic rate and higher rate thresholds will be frozen until 2028.

The personal allowance, currently set at £12,570, will be frozen until April 2028 raising an estimated 26 billion pounds.

Dividend Tax

The zero rated dividend allowance is going to be halved from £2,000/year to just £1,000 per year for the 2023-24 tax year, and then again to £500/year for the 2024-25 tax year. The tax rates for dividend income will remain the same. 

Capital Gains Tax

Capital Dins Tax Exemption is also being slashed from £12,300 to just £6,000 in the 2023-24 year, and then reduced again to £3,000 for 2024-25. On top of that, unused exemption allowance cannot be carried over to the following year.

The main rate for CGT outside the allowance will remain the same at 10% for basic rate and for business asset disposal, and 20% for other gains. Gains made from residential property disposal are taxed at 18% within the basic rate band and 28% for higher rate.

The CGT and Dividend Tax changes mentioned here will lead to many more people needing to complete a self assessment tax return. Add in the Income Tax band changes and some individuals who are high earners may have a very different tax picture over the next few years. We would invite these individuals to speak with their accountant to ensure they’re operating as tax-efficiently as possible, while also preparing for these big changes.

Vehicle Excise Duty for Electric Cars

VED is not currently due on electric vehicles, but as of 2025 – the same year when new fuel vehicles will no longer be sold – there will be. The Chancellor said the rate would be lower than traditional fuel-based cars, but the amounts have not yet been published.

National Living Wage

The NLW will get a boost of 9.7% to £10.42 next year. This is the largest increase to the NLW since 2016, and for a full-time worker, today’s increase means nearly £150 more per month.

Pensions

The state pension will increase in-line with inflation from April 2023.

Energy Bills

The current typical household energy bill is capped at £2,500 – a measure introduced earlier this year following unprecedented energy cost increases. This cap will now be downgraded to £3,000 per year. In addition there will be an extra £900 cost-of-living payment to low-income households on means-tested benefits, and £300 for pensioner households, and £150 for people on disability benefits.