We are now in the new tax year 2022-2023 which started on 6th April 2022. Did you know the chosen year end of 5th April was first introduced in 1752? Back then the new tax year started on 25th March and ended after full 365 days which would be on 4th April.
But in 1800 which was not a leap year in the new Georgian calendar (but would have been in the old Julian Calendar) the Treasury moved our tax year end from 4th April to 5th April.
So here we are in 2022 with the same tax year end of 5th April and plenty of ups and downs of tax in the interim. In the year 2022 there are numerous shifts in the tax system. Here’s a quick recap of these
National Insurance Contributions (NICs)
Despite lobbying to delay the planned 1.25% increase in NICs payable by employees, employers and the self-employed, the government decided to go ahead in order to provide additional funds for health and social care.
Some new measures have however been announced to combat the effect of the increase, at least partially.
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Increase in the starting NIC threshold for individuals
The annual level at which employees and the self-employed start to pay NICs was due to increase from £9,568 to £9,880 from 6 April 2022.
This increase will go ahead but be further uplifted to £12,570 from 6 July 2022, effectively aligning the point at which an individual starts to pay NICs with the £12,570 income tax personal allowance.
In the tax year to 5 April 2023, this is a NIC cut worth £267 for most employees and £207 for most self-employed individuals.
Crucially, this will more than negate the impact of the 1.25 percentage point NIC increase for most workers with employment earnings of less than £34,000, providing them with a small contribution to the increased cost of living.
The starting NIC threshold for the self-employed and company directors is computed on an annual basis and so will be set at a pro-rata sum of £11,908 for the whole of the tax year to 5 April 2023, before increasing to £12,570 in the tax year to 5 April 2024.
With the increase in the Employment Allowance to £5,000 you may want to relook at the salary you take from your company as a director. To quality for Employment Allowance you must have at least 2 directors on the payroll or 1 director and at least one other employee.
Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss your individual case or your payroll.
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Class 2 NIC liabilities for the self-employed
For the self-employed, some individuals will find that they no longer need to pay Class 2 NICs from April 2022. The small profits threshold will be set at £6,725 as planned but the requirement to pay Class 2 NIC will only apply to those with self-employed profits over £11,908.
This will benefit approximately 500,000 self-employed individuals by saving them £165 a year.
From 6 April 2023, Class 2 NIC will only be payable by those with profits over £12,570.
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What about employers?
No changes have been made to the annual level at which employers’ NIC start to apply; namely £9,100 for most employees in the tax year to 5 April 2023.
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Personalised summary
While the Spring Statement described tax cuts, we must not lose sight that there is still the upcoming 1.25 percentage point increase in NIC, along with a freeze in income tax bands and allowances. Many individuals and businesses will still be paying more tax and NIC in the year to 5 April 2023 than they did last year.
Please get in touch if you’d like a personalised summary of how these changes affect you or if you have any questions about your payroll.
Income Tax
The Chancellor has committed to reduce the basic rate of income tax from 20% to 19%, but not until 6 April 2024.
Note that the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly have devolved powers to set their own income tax rates on earned income.
It is estimated that this will save 30 million individuals an average of £175 per year.
Business Tax Relief for Capital Investment
In preparation for the 130% ‘super-deduction’ for companies coming to an end on 31 March 2023, other alternatives are being considered to continue encouraging investment from April 2023.
In the meantime, remember to talk to us about the reliefs potentially available (to companies and non-corporates) for expenditure on plant and machinery. This includes:
- A £1million annual investment allowance;
- 130% and 50% super-deductions;
- 100% first-year allowances (including on electric cars); and
- 18% and 6% writing down allowances.
The date of acquisition of capital assets can make a difference to the tax relief you can claim so do speak to us before your next sizeable investment.
Green Technology
Green technology, including solar panels and heat pumps, will be exempt from business rates in England from April 2022, a year earlier than originally planned.
VAT on Energy Saving Materials (ESMs) installed in residential accommodation will be reduced from 5% to 0% from this April in Great Britain. The measure will be introduced in Northern Ireland in due course. The 0% rate will apply until 31 March 2027.
A 100% relief for eligible low-carbon heat networks which have their own rates bill will also be available.
Read here for more information
VAT Rates in the Leisure and Hospitality Sector
No extension has been granted to the leisure and hospitality sector for use of the reduced 12.5% VAT rate on eligible supplies including food, non-alcoholic beverages and hotel and holiday accommodation.
So remember the VAT rate applied to these supplies will revert to 20% from 1 April 2022 as planned.
Research and Development (R&D)
The R&D tax relief schemes for companies will be enhanced from April 2023 but we will have to wait until this summer for more details.
We do know the reform is set to boost sectors where the UK is a world-leader, including artificial intelligence, robotics, manufacturing, and design.
You can read more about R&D tax here
What next
If you need help with your taxes have a look at how we work. You can also complete our free tax checklist just to check if you are on the right path to achievement.