David Cutter Chartered Accountants

Budget 2009

Introduction

Personal Taxation

Employee Taxation

Investment Reliefs

Capital Gains Tax

Trusts

National Insurance Contributions

Tax Credits

Inheritance Tax

Business Tax

Corporation Tax

Value Added Tax

Stamp Duty

Insurance Premium Tax

Back

Personal Taxation

Income tax and capital gains tax rates

2009/10

2008/09

Starting rate (savings income only)*

£2,440

£2,320

Basic rate band

37,400

34,800

Higher rate on taxable income over

37,400

34,800

* The starting rate does not apply to general income; it only applies to savings income if general income less allowances is less than £2,440. This starting rate band is included in the basic rate band of £37,400.

Rates differ for:	General	Savings	Dividend
Starting	N/A	10%	10%
Basic	20%	20%	10%
Higher	40%	40%	32.5%

Allocation of rate bands

Taxable income uses up the rate bands in the following order:

* 'general income' (employment, business profits, rent)
* 'savings income' (mainly interest)
* 'dividends' (mainly distributions from companies)

Extension of basic rate band

A taxpayer who pays personal (including stakeholder) pension policy premiums, or gives cash to charity under the Gift Aid scheme, increases the basic rate band by the grossed up equivalent of the payment. This means that more tax is paid at the basic rate and less is paid at the top rate.

Filing of return and payment

2009/10 personal tax return: due to be filed by 31 January 2011 (online) or 31 October 2010 (paper).

* penalty for late return: £100 (or the tax due, if less)

2009/10 tax payable:

* tax on employment income paid under PAYE each month
* basic rate liability on savings and dividends usually settled by receiving the income net of tax paid or credited
* balance of tax due under self assessment (SA):
- payments on account due 31 January 2010 and 31 July 2010, based on the 2008/09 SA income tax and Class 4 NIC
- balance, plus any CGT, due 31 January 2011, with the first payment on account for 2010/11

Missing any payment dates leads to interest; missing the balancing payment date by 28 days will lead to a 5% surcharge and a further 5% surcharge if not paid by following 31 July.

Main personal allowances

2009/10

2008/09

Personal income tax allowance

£6,475

£6,035

CGT annual exemption

10,100

9,600

Blind person's allowance

1,890

1,800

Age allowances

2009/10

2008/09

Personal allowance (PA)

* Age 65 - 74 in the tax year

£9,490

£9,030

* Age 75 and over in the tax year

9,640

9,180

* Minimum*

6,475

6,035

Married couple's allowance (MCA)** (also for civil partners)

* Age up to 74

N/A

6,535

* Age 75 and over

6,965

6,625

* Minimum*

2,670

2,540

Income Limit*

22,900

21,800

* If the taxpayer's total income exceeds the income limit (extended for gift aid and pension contributions), one-half of that excess is deducted from the allowances - first from the PA until the minimum is reached, then from the MCA until the minimum is reached.
** Amount depends on age of older spouse; allowed at 10%; nil if born after 5 April 1935; reduced if marriage took place during the tax year.

Main personal reliefs

Rent-a-room exemption for letting out part of the taxpayer's only or main residence: gross income of £4,250pa.

Gift aid: on a cash gift to charity, the charity can reclaim 22/78 (28.2%) of the donation from HMR&C if the donor makes a declaration. The donor increases the basic rate band by the gross gift (i.e. donation x 100/80). The market value of gifts of land or quoted shares can be deducted from taxable income for full tax relief, and the charity pays no tax on the gift received. Also "Give as you earn" scheme allows charitable gifts to be made from pre-tax pay, so PAYE is reduced.