Businesses:
- Business rates– the current system is to be retained but with some key reforms (from 1 April 2023) including increasing the frequency of revaluations to 3 years and introducing new reliefs for investment in property improvements and green technology. In addition, temporary business rates reliefs were also announced for 2022-23: a freeze in the business rates multiplier and a 50% discount for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sectors (capped at £110k per business).
Employers:
- National Living Wage – as anticipated, an increase such that employees aged 23 years and over will be entitled to £9.50 per hour for pay periods starting from 1 April 2022.
- National Insurance Contributions (NIC)– the previously announced 1.25 percentage point increase (to fund social care prior to the introduction of the separate Health and Social Care Levy) becomes effective from 6 April 2022.
Individuals:
- The personal allowance, basic rate and higher rate limits have been frozen at £12,570, £37,700 and £150,000 respectively until April 2026.
- The previously announced Health and Social Care Levy and dividend tax rate increase of 1.25% comes into effect from April 2022.
- Similarly, the IHT Nil Rate Band, CGT Annual Exempt Amount and pensions lifetime allowance will be frozen until April 2026.
- The Chancellor reiterated changes relating to the digital agenda, confirming the delay to “Making Tax Digital” for Income Tax Self-Assessment until April 2024 and giving further detail on other administrative reforms for self-employed and partners.
- The CGT reporting and payment window following the sale of UK residential property has been extended to 60 days, from the existing 30 days, a modest yet welcome change.