10 February 2020

Yet another Chancellor… does this mean there will be big changes in the Budget?

It will be nearly 18 months since the last Budget and in the meantime we will have had three different chancellors following the unexpected resignation of Sajid Javid. The early years of a new Parliament are a good time to make radical changes and many are predicting significant tax announcements on March 11th. 

Rather than increasing headline tax rates it is understood that the Government are considering the abolition or restriction of many tax reliefs that we have got used to relying on. This would also have the effect of increasing tax revenue, but it is likely that the changes will impact on those who are better off.

Inheritance Tax in the spotlight

We are expecting major changes to inheritance tax (IHT) in the March Budget following two reviews by the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) and also a report by an All Party Parliamentary Committee. IHT is perceived as a complicated tax with numerous fairly trivial reliefs and exemptions. Currently the tax only generally applies to transfers on death and gifts within 7 years of death. The All Party Parliamentary Committee suggested that there should be a 10% charge on gifts during someone’s lifetime after an annual exemption (suggested £30,000) has been exceeded.

A more radical suggestion was the abolition of Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief which currently allow a family business or farm to be passed on without paying IHT. The OTS also recommended a review of BPR so it may be worth considering bringing forward the transfer of all, or part of, the family businesses.

More routine IHT planning would be to make use of the current £3,000 annual allowance. Gifts up to £3,000 each year are exempt from IHT. If you haven’t used your £3,000 allowance from 2018/19 you can make gifts of up to £6,000 before 6th April 2020 without the gift being liable to IHT. Also consider making regular gifts out of your income to minimise the growth of your estate that will be liable to IHT. Gifts out of your surplus income are not subject to IHT if properly structured and we can assist you in keeping the necessary documentation.

Further changes to Entrepreneurs' Relief?

Another tax relief that may be further restricted or even abolished is CGT entrepreneurs’ relief.  This relief allows business owners to pay just 10% CGT on the first £10 million of capital gains when they dispose of their business and was tightened up in the Autumn 2018 Budget. 

When first introduced, the relief only applied to the first £2 million of gains but the limit has been increased twice since 2008 to the current lifetime limit so the relief may be limited again in the March Budget.

Will Pension Tax Relief change in the Budget?  

There are frequent rumours that pension tax relief will change in the Budget. This is even more likely this year as the new Government looks for additional tax revenue to fund its ambitious spending pledges such as the HS2 rail link.

There is speculation that the restriction for those with income over £150,000 may be removed but at the same time higher rate tax relief may be removed. One suggestion is that tax relief may be “simplified” by limiting relief to say 25% or 30% so that the government would increase a £750 pension saving to £1,000 but with no further tax relief.

If you have surplus cash you might wish to consider maximising your pension relief before Budget Day.

Questions? We can help!

Get in touch with us, let us help you! Our team of tax experts can offer business advice and help you maximise your tax efficiency. Contact our Director, Nick Bonnello, today on 0115 964 8860 or email him at nickb@rwbca.co.uk toutilise your free, 30 minute consultation and find out how we can help you across all areas of your business.

The views provided in this article are for general information purposes only. Nothing in this article represents advice of any nature whatsoever. Accordingly, RWB CA Limited does not accept any liability or responsibility for the information contained in this article or any decision or other action that may be taken in reliance upon the information contained within it. RWB CA Limited accepts no responsibility for any errors of fact or opinion and assumes no obligation to provide you with any changes to its assumptions.