Chancellor scraps planned cut to 45% income tax rate

What and why are there changes? 

The Chancellor has confirmed that the government will not proceed with abolishing the 45% income tax rate as first announced in the fiscal event of 23 September 2022. There has been a lot of changes since then.

Kwasi Kwarteng has branded the policy to scrap the additional rate of income tax ‘a distraction’ from the government’s wider Growth Plan, backtracking after facing mounting pressure within his own party and a week of volatility in the markets.

The abolition of the 45p rate was announced as part of a government package of measures that sought to reward enterprise and grow the UK economy. However, this particular policy, which would cut income tax for individuals earning over £150,000 from 6 April 2023, has proven controversial.

It is assumed therefore that the additional rate for dividends in 2023/24 will be 38.1%, following the 1.25 percentage point reduction in the other tax rates for dividends from 6 April 2023 announced on 23 September.

As the trust income rate usually mirrors the highest rate of income tax, it is anticipated that the trust income tax rate will also remain at 45%.

No other changes to the government’s announced measures have been indicated.

What Will Change, What Will Not

The additional rate of income tax currently applies at a rate of 45% for income over £150,000.  Although it was originally announced in the Growth Plan that this would be abolished from 6 April 2023, this will no longer be going ahead.

The Chancellor also announced in the Growth Plan that the basic rate of income tax would be reduced from 20% to 19% from 6 April 2023.  It is understood that this change will still be going ahead, as is the repeal of the Health and Social Care Levy.

The government has promised further detail regarding its wider economic plans in the upcoming fiscal event on 23 November 2022.

Need more information?

Do you need further guidance on the 45% income tax rate? We offer a wide range of services which are unique to your business. Our team of chartered accountants have a wealth of experience in a broad range of sectors, from construction and property to the charity sector. Our team work hard to ensure they create smart and effective tax-efficient solutions for start-ups to optimise growth and help them succeed. If you want to learn more about how the team can help or simply want some start-up advice from a trusted accountant do hesitate to contact us. For more information please do hesitate to contact us on 0161 962 1855. Alternatively you can email us using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

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