Welcome to the April 2017 Newsletter from Certax Accounting London
Following the Chancellor's unexpected U-turn on the increase in Class 4 national insurance contributions (NICs) proposed in the recent Spring Budget, business groups have broadly welcomed the news.
Meanwhile, the new tax year sees the introduction of a raft of changes to tax and business legislation. From the Apprenticeship Levy to the Lifetime ISA, we outline some of the key measures set to come into effect from April.
Business groups react to NICs U-turn
Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced that the government will not proceed with the increase in Class 4 national insurance contributions (NICs) proposed in his Spring Budget on 8 March.
The change would have seen Class 4 NICs increase from 9% to 10% in April 2018, and to 11% in 2019 - with the stated aim of bringing the contributions paid by the self-employed closer to the 12% currently paid by employees.
However, the Budget proposal prompted an angry reaction - including from some Conservative MPs - as it appeared to contradict the 2015 Conservative election manifesto promise not to increase certain taxes, including national insurance.
In a letter explaining the U-turn, the Chancellor wrote: 'It is very important both to me and to the Prime Minister that we are compliant not just with the letter, but also the spirit of the commitments that were made.
'In the light of what has emerged as a clear view among colleagues and a significant section of the public, I have decided not to proceed with the Class 4 NIC measure set out in the Budget.'
Many business groups welcomed the decision. Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), commented: 'The NICs rise, together with the cut to dividend tax-free allowances, was not viewed favourably by entrepreneurs - so this move and pause for thought are welcome.'
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which lobbied against the NICs rise, also responded positively to the news. Mike Cherry, its National Chairman, stated: 'We are delighted for our members and all the nation's self-employed that the Chancellor has recognised the strong opposition to this measure, admitting it was against the spirit of the manifesto on which his party stood, and has now decided to scrap it for the duration of this parliament.'
The government plans to consult over the summer on options to address the differences in treatment between the employed and the self-employed, alongside the forthcoming report by Matthew Taylor on the implications of different ways of working on employment rights.
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What's in store for the new tax year?
With the beginning of the 2017/18 tax year looming, a raft of new financial and legislative measures are set to come into effect.
Apprenticeship Levy
The Apprenticeship Levy is being introduced on 6 April. The new Levy will change the way apprenticeships are funded, requiring larger employers (those with annual 'pay bills' over £3 million) to invest a percentage of their yearly pay bill in apprenticeships. The Levy is 0.5% of a business's pay bill, although an annual allowance of £15,000 is also available. Non-Levy paying businesses will still need to contribute towards the cost of training apprentices, although some concessions will apply.
The new Lifetime ISA
From 6 April 2017, the new Lifetime ISA will be available to any adult under the age of 40. Individuals will be able to deposit up to £4,000 per tax year, and receive a 25% bonus from the government on any savings put into the account before their 50th birthday. Those with a Lifetime ISA will be able to save towards a deposit for a first home in the UK worth up to £450,000, or save for their retirement.
Meanwhile, also from 6 April the overall annual ISA subscription limit rises from £15,240 to £20,000 and the annual Junior ISA subscription limit will increase from £4,080 to £4,128.
The inheritance tax 'family home' band
April also sees the introduction of the new 'residence nil-rate band' (RNRB) for individuals, enabling a 'family home' to be passed wholly or partially tax-free on death to direct descendants such as a child or grandchild. The amount of relief will be phased in over four years and will initially be £100,000 in 2017/18, rising each year thereafter to reach £175,000 in 2020/21.
Changes to salary sacrifice
From April 2017 the tax and employer national insurance advantages of many salary sacrifice schemes will be removed. This will mean that employees swapping salary for benefits will pay the same tax as individuals who buy them out of their post-tax income. However, certain benefits, such as pension contributions and childcare vouchers, will be exempt from the changes.