Budget key points at a glance
Tax Personal tax
The Health and Social Care Levy – As announced by the Prime Minister on 7 September 2021, the government has legislated for a new 1.25% Health and Social Care Levy (the Levy), to fund an historic investment in the NHS and social care. The Levy will apply UKwide, to the same population and income as Class 1 (Employee, Employer) and Class 4 (Self Employed) National Insurance contributions (NICs), and to the main and additional rates. The Levy will not apply to Class 2 NICs or Class 3 NICs. The Levy will be effectively introduced from April 2022, when NICs for working age employees, self-employed people and employers will increase by 1.25% and be added to the existing NHS allocation. From April 2023, once HMRC’s systems are updated, the 1.25% Levy will be formally separated out and will also apply to the earnings of individuals working above State Pension age, and NICs rates will return to their 2021-22 levels. From April 2023, receipts from the Levy will go to those responsible for health and social care across all parts of the UK.
Dividend rates – As announced on by the Prime Minister on 7 September 2021, legislation will be introduced in the Finance Bill 2021-22 to increase the rates of income tax applicable to dividend income by 1.25%. The dividend ordinary rate will be set at 8.75%, the dividend upper rate will be set at 33.75% and the dividend additional rate will be set at 39.35%. The dividend trust rate will also increase to 39.35% to remain in line with the dividend additional rate. The changes will apply UK-wide and will take effect from 6 April 2022. This change will ensure those with dividend income make a contribution in line with that made by employees and the self-employed on their earnings.
National Insurance contributions (NICs) rates and thresholds – The government will use the September CPI figure of 3.1% as the basis for uprating National Insurance limits and thresholds, and the rates of Class 2 and 3 NICs, for 2022-23. This excludes the Upper Earnings Limit and Upper Profits Limit which will be maintained at current levels in line with the higher rate threshold for income tax.
Property tax
Capital Gains Tax (CGT): property payment window – From 27 October 2021 the deadline for residents to report and pay CGT after selling UK residential property will increase from 30 days after the completion date to 60 days. For non-UK residents disposing of property in the UK, this deadline will also increase from 30 days to 60 days. This will ensure that taxpayers have sufficient time to report and pay CGT, as recommended by the Office of Tax Simplification. When mixed-use property is disposed of by UK residents, legislation will also clarify that the 60 day payment window will only apply to the residential element of the property gain.