Monday 21 January 2013

Changes you should know about

• There is a reduction in the amount a person can earn before he starts having to pay 40% tax. Taking into account the personal allowance, in this Tax Year (2012/2013) 40% tax kicks in above £42,475. In 2013/14 it will kick in at the lower level of £41,450.


• The maximum pension contribution annually will reduce from £50,000 to £40,000 but not until 2014/2015, so it will still be possible to contribute up to £50,000 in 2013/2014 (Note: there is no change to the rule that the maximum personal contribution an individual can make is limited to 100% of their taxable earnings; so, if their total taxable earnings are less than £50,000, this earnings level becomes their limit; however, there is also no change to the fact that a company can contribute up to £50,000 to an employee’s pension - even if that is more than his taxable income).

There are also a few promises the Chancellor has made for the future such as promising to raise the Inheritance Tax nil rate band in 2015/16 and also to make increases in the Capital Gains Tax Allowance, but I do not think we are being too cynical if we choose to ignore these until they actually happen! 2012 saw the Property Market pretty much flat, but the rental incomes generally increased as those who were unable to buy, had to rent. This has tempted landlords to buy more property. 2012 also saw the insurance market turned a bit on its head as a result of an EU Gender Directive – dictating to insurance companies that they had to give men and women equal insurance quotes – despite the over-riding statistical proof that young men have more automobile accidents than young women and that women generally live longer than men. 2013 also sees the FSA (Financial Services Authority) morph and divide itself into two new bodies – the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) and the PRA (Prudential Regulatory Authority). We will have to wait and see whether this change will mean.

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