February 2022

Welcome to the February 2022 issue of our newsletter.

February 2022

Welcome to Our Latest Newsletter

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Tax planning ahead of April 2022

The cost of keeping the country running through covid has been huge and inflation is expected to add to the country’s debt. The Office for Budget Responsibility has indicated that the treasury will need to find £45bn in interest, before even thinking about paying off the debt itself. As taxpayers we will be providing the extra cash!

From April, the Chancellor is not directly increasing the rates of income tax we pay, he is freezing the thresholds at which basic and higher rates of income tax are paid from April 2022 to April 2026, effectively increasing the amount we actually pay as inflation pushes up earnings.

There will also be an additional 1.25% contribution added to both employee and employer National Insurance from April and a similar additional charge on dividends. This is referred to as the Health and Social Care Levy. From April 2023 it will be extended to employees above the state pension age. 

The changes will not end there. The Treasury has issued a raft of consultations which could all mean extra costs.

There will be greater scrutiny if you are self-employed, or if you become a new landlord, with the onus on you to report your new venture even before it turns a taxable profit. 

There could also be increasing pressure for timely payment’ or in other words, collecting tax sooner. This is still just a consultation at this stage, but the government is keen to raise funds quickly.

These changes mean that it will be more important than ever to ensure that you are not paying too much tax.

Our Year End Tax Planning Guide provided on the link below will help you to consider legitimate ways to achieve this including:

  • Maximising your pension contributions to make full use of tax relief
  • Looking at your investment portfolio and (if practicable) ensuring you take advantage of the full £12,300 CGT allowance before 5 April 2022
  • For Shareholder/directors, consider the timing of bonuses and dividends to mitigate the planned 1.25% rate increase

These steps are all entirely legitimate, but the rules and regulations are complicated.

Please contact us about planning for April or regarding any of the issues below, we are here to help.

Business/Tax News and Tips

2022 Year End Tax Planning Guide - don’t miss these tax saving opportunities
NEST Pension Alert - vital information for Higher Rate Taxpayers who have a pension with NEST
HMRC Waives Self Assessment Penalties for One Month and Provides Longer to Pay - but act now
Will There Be a Mini Budget On 23 March? - what can we expect?
HMRC guidance on VAT place of supply of services - clarification on the ‘place of supply’ rules for services
New VAT Penalty Regime Delayed to January 2023
Are You Looking to Buy a Business, Sell a Business or Raise Finance in 2022? - speak with our trusted, experienced business advisers
Statutory Sick Pay Rebate scheme (SSPRS) - a temporary scheme to support employers facing heightened levels of sickness absence due to COVID-19
Statutory Pay Rates from April 2022
Leaseholders to own their own buildings under government proposals
New Drive to Promote Woodland Creation Grants for Landowners
England Returns to Plan A as Regulations on Face Coverings and COVID Passes Change