- Feb 6
- 5 min read

Wright In Touch February 2024 (Issue 119)

Welcome …

To our February 2024 newsletter designed to bring you tax tips and news to keep you one step ahead.

NEW YEAR, NEW BUDGET
ONLINE SELLERS WATCH OUT FOR "SIDE HUSTLE TAX"
£148M IN TAX BILLS TO BE PAID IN INSTALMENTS
SCOTLAND CREATES NEW HIGHER INCOME TAX BAND
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
KEY DATES

NEW YEAR, NEW BUDGET

It might seem like only a few weeks ago that we had the Autumn Statement, but already we've had news in the early days of 2024 that the next Budget is on its way. And with that, a swirling mass of rumours about tax changes - particularly cuts, ahead of a General Election, which must be called by the end of this year. Earlier this month, the Government announced the Budget will be delivered by The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on 6 March 2024. That's quite a lot earlier than usual. Normally, we have a Spring Budget in the second or third week of May. Mr Hunt has commissioned the Office for Budget Responsibility to prepare an economic and fiscal forecast to be presented to Parliament alongside his Spring Budget.

Since news of the new Budget arrived, we've had plenty of speculation around what changes Mr Hunt may make. One of the main areas we've seen mentioned multiple times now is Inheritance Tax. It was talked about a lot before the Autumn Statement, though nothing came of it. It's one of those issues that seems to pop up before every major announcement by a Conservative Chancellor - with the proposal of a cut being popular among many of the party's grassroot supporters.

However, the more likely one to keep an eye on - particularly as a sweetener for voters being in Ministers' minds - is cuts to income tax. Is there room in the Budget for a reduction of some kind?

One of the many reports about this - from the Times - talks of 'a significant package of tax cuts' being considered, with a focus on Income Tax and National Insurance. We'll have to wait and see what happens but no doubt the rumour mill will continue to gather pace in the coming weeks.

ONLINE SELLERS WATCH OUT FOR "SIDE HUSTLE TAX"

You may have seen one of the early 2024 tax stories popping up in many of the national newspapers relates to a so-called 'side hustle tax'. Is it really a tax? No. Yet we're seeing it reported as a 'New Year tax clampdown' and similar such descriptions. Unfortunately, it has led to concern, particularly on social media where some people have perhaps misunderstood or misinterpreted what's happening.

At the centre of this is new data-sharing rules coming into force this month that will affect holiday homeowners, delivery drivers, and people who sell second hand items on websites like eBay. Big name online businesses such as Vinted, Airbnb, and Depop are now obliged to collect and share details of transactions with the tax authorities, as of 1 January.

Previously, HMRC had the ability to request the information from UK-based digital platforms. But the UK has signed up to new global rules, which are aimed at cutting down attempts to avoid paying tax.

So, online operators will have to, as routine, report sellers' income that is coming via their websites. That might be handmade items, services or second-hand goods - clothes or toys, for example. It could also include short-term lets for holidays (think Air BnB rentals). If you make tips/gratuities or incentives through online platforms you also could be impacted by the new rules.

There is a threshold. So, anyone earning less than £1,000 need not worry. But if you reach that figure, you'll have to register as self-employed and file a Self-Assessment Tax Return at the end of the financial year. A useful place to get further clarity and for more information is HMRC's online fact sheet. Find that here.

£148M IN TAX BILLS TO BE PAID IN INSTALMENTS

As the Self-Assessment Income Tax deadline looms (31 January), HMRC has revealed that many people have opted into a scheme to pay their tax bills in instalments.

Nearly 44,800 people have sorted their tax bills totalling almost £148 million, by setting up a monthly payment plan called Time to Pay. HMRC also revealed 28,794 people used its app this time around to pay more than £42 million in tax owed.

More than 7.7 million people who file Self-Assessment Tax Returns have already filed theirs for the 2022 to 2023 tax year. We hope you're among those who have completed the filing for this year, but if not please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

The monthly plan to pay in instalments is open to those who owe less than £30,000 and who apply within 60 days of the payment deadline. However, anyone with other payment plans or debts with HMRC is unlikely to be eligible.

There is an affordability checker on the HMRC web pages to guide you further. Interest will be applied to any outstanding balances from 1 February.

SCOTLAND CREATES NEW HIGHER INCOME TAX BAND

Scottish taxpayers earning more than £75,000 are set to pay a new higher rate of 45% from 2024-25. The Scottish Government has announced the change following its Budget. The change means Scotland now has six different income tax rates. The rest of the UK has three.

The 'advanced' band, as it has been called, will apply to those earning between £75,000 to £125,140. The starter, basic and intermediate threshold is set to rise with inflation, but the higher rate (43%) would still kick in at the same rate - £43,662.

Taxpayers in Scotland already faced the highest tax band in the UK at 47% for people earning more than £125,000.

The Scottish Government also announced that band will also rise by 1% to 48%. Anybody in Scotland who earns over £28,850 will, according to analysts, pay higher taxes than their counterparts elsewhere in Britain.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q: I've just been told I'm being made redundant by my employer, but they have agreed to a significant settlement agreement. My employment will continue for three months and after that they've agreed to pay one month of salary (still on the payroll in that time) and then the equivalent of four months of my salary (tax free), which equates to £32,450. How much in the way of tax will I be hit with?

A: There are a few things to think about here when working out any tax liability in the circumstances of a redundancy payment. Firstly, you'll remain on payroll and work for three months, from what you've said. So, you will carry on paying tax and National Insurance in the usual way on those three months of salary payments. Nothing changes there. That's also the case for the one month of salary at the end of your termination that you mentioned. You'll also pay tax and National Insurance on any holiday pay and bonuses.

You haven't mentioned entering into a restrictive covenant (meaning you can't work for a competitor or have contact with customers for a period of time after you leave). However, if that did apply in your case, tax and NI would also apply to payments you receive for agreeing to enter a restrictive covenant. If you get any payments in lieu of working your notice period, those will also be subject to tax and NI.

Moving on to the 'severance' payment or lump sum (£32,450) that you say your employer has agreed to pay. The good news is that most of this covered by a tax-free amount of £30,000. That figure includes statutory redundancy, additional severance or enhanced redundancy (the bit which is most applicable to you) and other non-cash benefits (for example, a company car) you keep after leaving. So, in your case, only £2,450 will be applicable for taxation.

Q: A business colleague has recently recommended I look into how I set off my trade loss against my general income. This is not something I was aware of previously. I've been trading for six years. I made a loss of £20,000 in the year ending 30/9/22 (my accounts are made up to end of September each year). My total income for 2022-23 was £30k but just £10k in the previous year

Q: I'm a resident in England but I'm buying a house in Scotland and will be splitting my time between the two - both in terms of work (where we have a new office opening in Glasgow) and for family time. What are the tax implications, and will I become classified as a Scottish taxpayer?

FEBRUARY KEY DATES

1st

- Due date for Corporation Tax for companies with an April year-end

19th

- For employers operating PAYE, this is the deadline to send an Employer Payment Summary (EPS) to claim any reduction on what you'll owe HMRC

22nd

- Deadline for employers operating PAYE to pay HMRC. For those paying by post, the deadline is 19 February.

29th

- Corporation Tax Returns are due for companies with February year ends

Need Help ?

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this newsletter is of a general nature and no assurance of accuracy can be given. It is not a substitute for specific professional advice in your own circumstances. No action should be taken without consulting the detailed legislation or seeking professional advice. Therefore no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a consequence of the material can be accepted by the authors or the firm.