Today’s ‘fiscal event’ was a change from the usual conventions around the announcements of tax and fiscal policy.  It also represented a stark change of mood in terms of the Government’s attitude to tax, writes Chris James, Director of Accountancy Services.

The new Prime Minister promised tax cuts, and tax cuts is what we got, after reconfirmation of the much-needed measures brought in to help individuals and businesses with rising energy costs, which the Government estimates will cost around £10bn per month until the spring.

Government also went much, much further than expected on the ‘new IR35’.

Small businesses and contractors

The Government confirmed trailed policies cancelling the increase in corporation tax (designed, some felt without due regard for small business) and reducing dividend tax rates back to pre-April 2022 levels.  This means companies will keep more of their profits than planned, and those receiving dividends will pay less income tax on that money.

But the biggest news for contractors was on the ‘new IR35’ rules, Off-payroll Working (OPW).  These rules amended the original IR35 rules to shift liability for incorrect employment status decisions up the supply chain, away from the contractor.  These reforms have left a lot of contractors, convinced they remain ‘outside IR35’ and unable to secure assignments, because the supply chain would not engage with the legislation, or take the financial risk in a complex tax area. As a result, many workers had to work through some kind of employed model instead.

Many hoped for a meaningful review of IR35.  Instead, the Chancellor confirmed that the ‘new IR35’ rules would be repealed completely from April 2023 – a very dramatic step.  From that date, the old IR35 rules will apply again, meaning for most contractors that they will have to reassess IR35 status themselves, as they did before OPW took effect in 2017 / 2021. We can expect HMRC to change their approach to compliance in due course.

Arguably, this is the most positive ‘budget-like event’, in tax terms for small businesses and entrepreneurs for many years, especially for contractors working through PSCs.

National insurance

The temporary increase (1.25%) in employee and employer National Insurance (NIC) was introduced in April 2022, to run until March 2023, when a similar new ‘tax’, the Health and Social Care Levy (HSC), would be introduced to replace it. In July 2022, partly due to public concerns, the thresholds at which NIC takes effect were increased, part-way through a tax year.

The temporary increase to both employees and employer NIC will be withdrawn from 6^th November 2022, and the HSC will not be introduced in April 2023. The higher thresholds introduced will however remain. Payroll software companies will need to update their systems in the next few weeks.

Dividend tax

A non-temporary increase in the dividend tax rates of 1.25% was also introduced in April 2022.  This is being reversed, from April 2023.

Income tax on earnings

The basic rate of income tax, currently 20%, will reduce to 19%.  The additional rate, applying over £150k, of 45% will be dropped, and 40% will be the top rate of tax.  These changes arrive in April 2023, much earlier than the basic rate reduction has previously been scheduled. These changes form a central part of the Government’s ‘tax-cutting’ agenda.

Corporation tax

Corporation tax, historically low at 19% for companies of all sizes was due to increase in April 2023 to 25% for larger companies, with a rising curve towards that rate for smaller businesses.  Due to the complexities around the marginal tax rates suffered by businesses as their profits pass £50k per year, this meant smaller, growing businesses were due to experience rates of 26.5%, even higher than the 25% ‘top rate’ of corporation tax.

This measure is cancelled and corporation tax will remain at 19%, the “lowest rate in the G20”.

Annual investment allowance

This allowance will remain at £1m rather than reducing as planned, with the aim of promoting investment in and by UK business.

Capital taxes

There are no changes to mainstream rates of capital taxes, but schemes such as SEIS are being made more generous, with the promise of more changes in similar areas, such as venture capital trusts.

VAT

Despite speculation, the main rates of VAT were left untouched.  The operation of VAT for tourists will be looked at in future.

Stamp duty

From today, the nil rate band for stamp duty has been doubled to £250,000, with the aim of stimulating the housing market.

IR35 review

There was cautious expectation of a meaningful IR35 review.  Instead, as mentioned above, the new version of IR35, Off-payroll Working, will be repealed, ceasing to have effect from April 2023.  This is a huge change of direction but will be strongly welcomed by many in the freelance sector.

Investment zones

Investment Zones will be established, benefitting from reduced or exempt rates of Stamp duty, Employer’s NIC, and amendments to planning rules, reduced rates of business tax and various other measures.

Tax simplification

The Office of Tax Simplification was thanked for its work, but will be wound down. Instead, the Chancellor wants Tax officials to make the simplification of taxes a primary focus ‘in-house’ from now on.

Questions?

Please get in touch with a member of our accountancy team on 01923 257257.

Recruitment businesses – please contact your Account Director, call 01923 474740 or email [email protected].