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The new tax year of 2023-24 is approaching rapidly.
With only one month to go now until the new tax year, it’s a good time for a round up of some of the changes in store for 2023-24 tax year for both individuals and companies. With so many updates that were announced, then reversed or altered at the end of last year, it’s been easy to lose track of the final outcomes.
There may be changes which affect the decisions you make in the final tax month of 2022-23. For example, around the timing of dividends, capital gains or company profits.
The personal tax thresholds and rates relate to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Personal tax
The main change is that the additional rate threshold will drop from £150,000 to £125,140. This brings it in line with the amount at which the personal allowance is fully lost. Between £100,000 and £125,140 it tapers by £1 for every £2 of income.
Personal allowance will remain at the current level of £12,570 for 2022-23.
Tax rates for basic, higher and additional rate will remain at 20%, 40% and 45%.
National Insurance
There were lots of changes and reversals in 2022-23, but (so far) there are no further changes due for 2023-24.
The extra 1.25% that was added to Class 1 National Insurance rates from April 22 was supposed to come into force as a separate tax from April 23. This was cancelled and Class 1 NIC was reduced by 1.25% in November 2022.
Current rates are 12% and 2% and will remain at that level for 2022-23.
The threshold at which you pay Class 1 NIC was increased in line with the personal allowance to £12,570 in July 22. For 2022-23 it will remain at this level.
Dividends
Dividend allowance will decrease to £1,000 (from the current level of £2,000).
The rates will continue to include the extra 1.25% that was added in April 22 to pay for health and social care. This is different to national insurance where the increase has now been removed.
Rates for 2023-24 are 8.75% for the basic rate band, 33.75% for the higher rate band and 39.35% for the additional rate band.
Capital Gains Tax
There is a significant reduction in the annual exempt amount (the amount you can have without paying any capital gains tax). It is reduced from £12,300 in 2022-23 to £6,000 for 2023-24.
Capital gains rates remain the same at 10% (18% for residential property) in the basic rate band and 20% (28% for residential property) in the higher rate.
Stamp Duty Land Tax
The changes that came into force from 25 Sept 22 for stamp duty land tax will remain for 2023-24.
First time buyers don’t pay stamp duty on the first £425,000 (increased from £300,000) of the property value. For other buyers it’s the first £250,000 (increased from £125,000).
Corporation tax
The Main Rate of corporation tax will increase from the current 19% to 25%.
For businesses with profits under £50,000 there will be a Small Profits Rate of 19%.
The rate will be on a taper from 19% for profits over £50,000 to 25% for profits over £250,000.
If your profits are between £50,000 and £250,00 then HMRC now have a marginal relief calculator to help you work out what corporation tax you might pay.
These changes for 2023-24 tax year could mean more or higher tax, especially for dividends, capital gains and corporation tax. You should potentially consider what’s going to fall in March and what will fall in April. A few days difference in timing could make a significant difference to tax.