The chancellor has announced a reduction in the rate of inheritance tax for those estates leaving 10 per cent or more to charity, from a rate of 40 per cent to 36 per cent. In addition, the Finance Bill 2011 will increase the Gift Aid benefit limit from £500 to £2,500.
Clive Sparrow, Government and Infrastructure Advisory Director at Grant Thornton UK LLP comments on the impact of the Budget on the public sector.
Today’s Budget announced three changes designed to counter stamp duty land tax (SDLT) planning arrangements on property acquisitions.
Barry Knight, Head of Retail at Grant Thornton UK LLP, says: “The scrapping of the fuel duty increase will have been top of retailers’ wish list and is at last some good news for the retail community which is still under tremendous pressure from low consumer confidence, cost inflation and rises in VAT and National Insurance.
If you are writing on today’s Budget announcement looking at the impact on the property sector, please consider the following from Clare Hartnell, Global Head of Property at Grant Thornton
Samantha Vanags, Head of R&D at Grant Thornton UK LLP, comments
This afternoon’s Budget announcement showed the Chancellor going back to his roots with clarification that the 50p tax rate is a temporary measure.
Against expectations, the Chancellor set out a framework on the taxation of non-domiciles. However this may make certain high net worth individuals re-consider long term settlement in the UK
During his Budget speech, the Chancellor highlighted the Coalition Government’s commitment to being a world centre for green energy. He confirmed that the green investment bank will start operations in 2012 (a year earlier than previously expected) but will not be able to borrow till 2015-16 and only then if government debt is falling
In today’s budget announcement, the Chancellor George Osborne announced major changes to the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) in another measure to improve “enterprise Britain”.
Liz Brion, Head of Media Tax at Grant Thornton UK LLP, comments on the how the Chancellor’s budget may impact the media industry
Chancellor George Osborne has laid out plans for a further clamp down on tax avoidance as the Government seeks ways to raise £4 billion of extra tax revenue in order to plug the £42 billion tax gap.
Kathryn Hiddleston, Head of Construction at Grant Thornton UK LLP comments on the impact of the Budget on the construction sector.
The Chancellor highlighted his commitment to bolstering investment in certain areas by reinstating designated ‘Enterprise Zones’ across the UK as a method to stimulate growth
The Budget 2011 announced a number of changes which affect individuals including:
Niki Dixon, head of Technology at Grant Thornton UK LLP, says:
“The Chancellor’s budget announcement has provide some welcome, if limited, stimulation to the ICT sector.
“The Enterprise Zones (EZ's) announced in the Budget, offer broadband infrastructure, a discount on business rates and simplified planning applications. This together with the potential for enhanced capital allowances, will help to get developments moving.
In a pro-growth 2011 Budget the Chancellor reaffirmed his commitment to tackling the public deficit and highlighted measures to encourage economic growth and simplify the tax system.
Today’s Government announcement that it would reduce the rate of corporation tax by 1% more than previously announced, from the current 28% to 26% from 1 April 2011, reducing by 1%pa thereafter until it reaches 23%, is an unexpected but welcome move to make the UK a more attractive place for multinationals to locate
George Osborne announced a consultation on plans to merge the operation of income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs). Grant Thornton cautiously welcomes these plans which may reduce burdens on business, while warning that rushed implementation could lead to HMRC failures and hidden tax rises.
@natfednews
@Ed_Miliband
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
- OBR growth forecasts for UK: this year 0.8%; next year 2%; 2014 2.7%; 3% in 2015 and 2016
- More to help business - expanding UK export finance: A £1 trillion target for exports by 2020
- Exports abroad must be accompanied by investment at home says the Chancellor
- Welfare: further £10 billion must be saved by 2015
- Tax credits for film will be extended to video games industry, animation and drama production.
- Enhanced capital allowances for more enterprise zones is a good start, but other incentives needed too
- New enterprise zones for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Smallest businesses below VAT threshold will get a simpler system, OTS report being pushed forward
- Mainstream corporation tax to fall by 1% more than expected this April. Drops to 22% by 2014
- High SDLT rates will be introduced tonight to make holding UK property in offshore envelopes unattractive
- End of temporary 50p tax rate from 2013. Likely to see people delaying income receipts until tax goes down
- Personal tax allowance threshold to rise to £9,205 from April 2013
Read detailed analysis Our experts' views... Political and business reaction...Budget and Finance Bill 2012 – spring coming early?
On 21 March the Chancellor announced his Budget for the coming year, impacting large corporates, small businesses and private individuals and this was followed up with the largest ever UK Finance Bill on 29 March. The key announcements were as follows:
· Increase in personal tax allowances – the amount of income that is tax free – to £9,205 in April 2013
· Cutting back the temporary 50p tax rate with a reduction to 45p from April 2013
· A promise to consult further on the General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) with a view to including it in the Finance Bill 2013
· A rise in stamp duty land tax (SDLT) to seven per cent on property purchases over £2 million, and some further SDLT anti-avoidance rules announced
· Further cuts in the mainstream rate of corporation tax to 22% in April 2014, 23% in April 2013, and a more immediate fall to 24% this AprilRead our summary of the Budget 2012 to find out what it means for you and watch our Budget analysis videos.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
THE CHANCELLOR'S REFUSAL to review the contributory principle of National Insurance was a "disappointment", tax director of the Office of Tax Simplification John Whiting has said.
In his Budget statement, George Osborne said that the government "will consult on merging the operation of National Insurance and income tax". The simplification of the system will be a "huge task" that will take a number of years to complete, he said.
However, he said that this will not include extending NI to pensioners or other forms of income, or the abolition of the contributory principle. Tax experts have said that a full merger of the systems is highly unlikely.
Whiting, who is tax director of the Office of Tax Simplification, which recommended a full study of the systems, told Accountancy Age that there would be benefits from reform, even if it did not result in a full merger.
"We've been careful to set out various stages, to emphasise that a real difference can be made without going the whole hog," he said.
"The one disappointment I have is that he has stopped short of looking into the contributory principle. It is not clear to what extent the contributory principle is necessary if we are moving a flat rate state pension.
"If we are having a study, shouldn't we have a study of all aspects?" he added.
Bill Dodwell, tax partner at Deloitte, said that this stops short of the recommendations of the Mirlees Review, which recommended a full merger of the systems.
"What he is trying to do is retain NI as a separate tax," he said. "The reason is to make sure this does not apply to pensioners or savings, harmonise the base for employment income and make NI cumulative."
This was a "much more rational move" than a full merger, he added. This would avoid the imposition of further taxes on pensioners, which was a possible implication of the Office of Tax Simplification's recommendations.
Colin Keane, senior director at Alvarez & Marsal, said the use of the word "operation" suggested that this could be an administrative reform, rather than a change to the fundamental principles of the two systems. He said there should be openness regarding the combined rate of NI and income tax.
Alastair Kendricks, tax director at Mazars, said it was likely this issue will "drift off the agenda" over the course of the Parliament.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Grant Thornton uses cookies to monitor the performance of this website and improve user experience.
If you are happy to accept cookies from this site, please check the boxTo find out more about cookies, what they are and how we use them, please see our privacy notice, which also provides information on how to delete cookies from your hard drive.
Article Posted -
23 Mar 2011The National Landlords Association responds to changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax announced in the 2011 Budget.
David Salusbury, Chairman, National Landlords Association, said:“The National Landlords Association welcomes changes announced in the 2011 budget which will help reduce the barriers to investing in homes.
The stamp duty concessions on bulk purchases will encourage landlords to invest more in residential property, thus providing much needed housing in the private rented sector.
The NLA has campaigned hard for this change and is pleased that the government has listened to concerns about the disproportionate level of stamp duty paid by landlords seeking to expand their portfolios in response to increasing demand for affordable accommodation in the private-rented sector.”
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:Dane Svenson
Press Officer, NLA
020 7840 8925
07508 031 084
dane.svenson@landlords.org.ukNOTES TO EDITORS
Representing landlords from all over the UK, the National Landlords Association (NLA) is the leading organisation for private-residential landlords. It campaigns for the legitimate interests of landlords by seeking to influence decision-makers at all levels of government and by making landlords’ collective voice heard in the media. The NLA helps landlords make a success of their lettings business by providing a wide range of information, advice and services. It seeks to raise standards in the private-rented sector while aiming to ensure that landlords are aware of their statutory rights and responsibilities.
#Budget response: Federation welcomes help for first-time buyers and planning reforms http://tiny.cc/qfmqg
— National Housing Fed (@natfednews)
Media centre Immediate CBI reaction to the budget23rd March 2011
The CBI today gave its immediate reaction to the Chancellor's Budget speech. A fuller statement will follow later today. John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said:
"This Budget will help businesses grow and create jobs. The Chancellor has made clear the UK is open for business. The extra 1p cut in corporation tax will help firms increase investment. Meanwhile, significant changes to entrepreneurs' taxation will rightly focus much-needed support on businesses with growth potential."
"Reductions in regulations on businesses and the promise of a faster planning system will provide relief to companies trying to take on staff and invest. Support for manufacturers through the Climate Change Agreements will help them manage energy costs, which is particularly important given that the Government is pushing ahead with a carbon price floor. Businesses and consumers will benefit from reduced fuel taxes, but the increased tax on North Sea oil and gas could be counterproductive, and will create uncertainty for future investment."
Growth down last year, this year & next year. Borrowing up by 44.5bn. It is the same old Tories. It’s hurting but it isn't working. #Budget
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband)