18/11/2022
Budget highlights
Employment taxes – The National Insurance contributions secondary threshold has been fixed at £9,100 for 5 years from April 2023. The employment allowance has been protected, so the effect on small employers will be minimal.
Dividend allowance – This change is more painful for small business owners, particularly those that incorporated their business to save income tax. The dividend allowance has been reduced from £2000 to £1000 from April 2023, and to £500 from April 2024. For a small company with husband and wife equal shareholders, this means you will pay an extra £150 tax in 2023 and an extra £225 tax in 2024. Assuming both husband and wife are basic rate tax payers.
The capital gains tax annual exempt amount will reduce from £12,300 to £6,000 from April 2023 and to £3,000 from April 2024. This is another tax blow to individuals with rental properties. Selling a property after April 2023 will mean you pay an extra £1,260 on your gain (for basic rate tax payers) or £2,520 for higher rate tax payers).
Inheritance Tax (IHT) nil-rate bands will be fixed at their current rates for another 6 years. The effect of this fix is somewhat dependant on what happens to property prices in those years. i.e. if property prices rise, the impact of the IHT nil rate band will fall and vice versa.
SDLT cuts – The nil rate threshold was increased from £125k to £250k for all purchasers of residential property in England and Northern Ireland from 23 September 2022. For first time buyers the nil rate threshold was increased from £300k to £425K. This cut will remain until 31 March 2025.