Budget 2017

Reduction in Dividend Allowance

Further to HMRCs announcement on the new tax on dividends (see here), the tax free allowance will be reduced from £5,000 to £2,000 pa as from April 2018.

For a Director/Shareholder of a limited company, it’s important to get the correct split to ensure you’re most tax efficient and make the most of any unused allowances for your spouse/partner.

Increase in Class 4 National Insurance for Self employed

The rate of Class 4 National Insurance (on business profits) will increase from 9% to 10% as of April 2018 and then to 11% as from April 2019. Class 2 NI will be abolished.

UPDATE: Philip Hammond has now made a u-turn on this and scrapped the Class 4 NI Increase planned as outlined above.

Making Tax Digital – Update

Self Employed businesses with a turnover below the VAT Threshold will not have to do this for another year. The dates applicable to business are now set to be:

April 2018 for Self Employed/Landlords with turnover above the VAT Threshold

April 2019 for all other Self Employed/Landlords with turnover above £10k

April 2020 for Limited Companies.

It’s important for businesses to get systems in place for this, and those affected should be thinking of this now. We will be advising clients on this separately.

Should you need any advice on the budget changes, or would like to discuss this with us, please give the team a call on 023 8061 4457.