Budget, DMS Posts, PAYE, Tax

Personal tax and benefits

Income Tax bands of taxable income

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Basic rate£1 to £37,700£1 to £37,700
Higher rate£37,701 to £125,140£37,701 to £125,140
Additional rateOver £125,140Over £125,140

Income Tax rates

Main ratesTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Basic rate20%20%
Higher rate40%40%
Additional rate45%45%

These figures apply to non-savings non-dividend income, including income from employment, property, or pensions. From 2017 to 2018, the main rates were separated into the main rates, the savings rates and the default rates.

Savings rates

Savings ratesTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Starting rate for savings0%0%
Savings basic rate20%20%
Savings higher rate40%40%
Savings additional rate45%45%

These figures apply to savings income.

Dividend ratesTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Dividend ordinary rate — for dividends otherwise taxable at the basic rate8.75%8.75%
Dividend upper rate — for dividends otherwise taxable at the higher rate33.75%33.75%
Dividend additional rate — for dividends otherwise taxable at the additional rate39.35%39.35%

These figures apply to dividend income received above the £500 tax-free dividend allowance.

Default ratesTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Default basic rate20%20%
Default higher rate40%40%
Default additional rate45%45%

These figures apply to non-savings and non-dividend income of any taxpayer that is not subject to either the main rates or the Scottish rates of Income Tax.

Starting rates for savings income

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Starting rate for savings0%0%
Starting rate limit for savings£5,000£5,000

Income Tax rates for trustees’ income

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Thresholds£500 de minimis trusts amount£500 de minimis trusts amount
Dividend ordinary rate8.75%8.75%
Default basic rate20%20%
Dividend trust rate for accumulated and discretionary dividend income39.35%39.35%
Trust rate for other accumulated and discretionary income45%45%

Income Tax allowances

Personal Allowance

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Personal allowance£12,570£12,570
Income limit for Personal Allowance£100,000£100,000
Income limit for Married Couple’s Allowance£37,000£37,700

The Personal Allowance reduces where the income is above £100,000 — by £1 for every £2 of income above the £100,000 limit. This reduction applies irrespective of date of birth.

The income limit for Married Couple’s Allowance is an age-related allowance. It is reduced by £1 for every £2 of income over this limit.

Marriage Allowance

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Marriage Allowance£1,260£1,260

This transferable allowance is available to married couples and civil partners who are not in receipt of Married Couple’s Allowance. A spouse or civil partner who is not liable to Income Tax, or not liable at the higher or additional rates, can transfer this amount of their unused personal allowance to their spouse or civil partner. The recipient must not be liable to Income Tax at the higher or additional rates.

Married Couple’s Allowance for those born before 6 April 1935

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Maximum amount of Married Couple’s Allowance£11,080£11,270
Minimum amount of Married Couple’s Allowance£4,280£4,360

The relief for this allowance is given at 10%.

Blind Person’s Allowance

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Blind Person’s Allowance£3,070£3,130

Dividend Allowance

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Dividend Allowance£500£500

Personal Savings Allowance

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Personal Savings Allowance for basic rate taxpayers£1,000£1,000
Personal Savings Allowance for higher taxpayers£500£500

From April 2016, the new Personal Savings Allowance means that basic rate taxpayers do not have to pay tax on the first £1,000 of savings income they receive and higher rate taxpayers do not have tax to pay on their first £500 of savings income.

Qualifying Care relief

As announced at Spring Budget 2023, the government will legislate to increase the amount of Income Tax relief available for foster carers and shared lives carers using Qualifying Care Relief. This is an annual increase in line with CPI inflation. The changes will take effect from 6 April 2025, for the tax year 2025 to 2026.

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Annual fixed amount£19,360£19,690
Weekly amount — children under 11 years£405£415
Weekly amount — children 11 years or older£485£495
Weekly amount — adults£485£495

Company car tax — all cars

CO2 emissions, g/kmElectric range (miles)Appropriate percentage (%) for 2024 to 2025Appropriate percentage (%) for 2025 to 2026Appropriate percentage (%) for 2026 to 2027Appropriate percentage (%) for 2027 to 2028Appropriate percentage (%) for 2028 to 2029Appropriate percentage (%) for 2029 to 2030
0Not applicable234579
1 to 50More than 13023451819
1 to 5070 to 12956781819
1 to 5040 to 698910111819
1 to 5030 to 39121314151819
1 to 50Less than 30141516171819
51 to 54151617181920
55 to 59161718192021
60 to 64171819202122
65 to 69181920212223
70 to 74192021212223
75 to 79202121212223
80 to 84212222222324
85 to 89222323232425
90 to 94232424242526
95 to 99242525252627
100 to 104252626262728
105 to 109262727272829
110 to 114272828282930
115 to 119282929293031
120 to 124293030303132
125 to 129303131313233
130 to 134313232323334
135 to 139323333333435
140 to 144333434343536
145 to 149343535353637
150 to 154353636363738
155 to 159363737373839
160 and over373737373839

For all cars, drivers must add 4% to their appropriate percentage if the car is propelled solely by diesel (up to a maximum of 37%). Cars that meet the Real Driving Emissions Step 2 (RDE2) standard are exempt from the diesel supplement. The RDE2 standard sets a maximum permitted level of car NOx emissions in real world driving situations, and it is measured through portable emissions-measuring equipment in a variety of real driving trips. Rates for fully electric cars (0 grams per km) are capped at 5%.

Rates for ultra-low emission cars (1 to 74 grams per km) are capped at 20% for the tax year 2025 to 2026. They are capped at 21% for the tax years 2026 to 2027 and 2027 to 2028. Rates for bands 75 to 170 grams per km and above will remain frozen for the 2026 to 2027 and 2027 to 2028 tax years.

National Insurance contributions

Employee and employer Class 1 rates and thresholds (£ per week)

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Lower Earnings Limit (LEL)£123£125
Primary Threshold (PT)£242£242
Secondary Threshold (ST)£175£96
Upper Earnings Limit (UEL)£967£967
Upper Secondary Threshold for under 21s£967£967
Apprentice Upper Secondary Threshold (AUST) for under 25s£967£967
Freeport Upper Secondary Threshold£481£481
Investment Zones Upper Secondary Threshold£481£481
Veteran Upper Secondary Threshold£967£967
Employment Allowance (per eligible employer)£5,000 per year£10,500 per year

Employee’s (primary) Class 1 contribution rates (per cent)

Earnings bandTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Below Lower Earnings Limit (LEL)Not applicableNot applicable
Lower Earning Limit (LEL) to Primary Threshold (PT)0%0%
Primary Threshold (PT) to Upper Earnings Limit (UEL)8%8%
Above Upper Earnings Limit (UEL)2%2%

Married woman’s reduced rate for (primary) Class 1 contribution rates

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Weekly earnings from between the Primary Threshold (PT) and Upper Earnings Limit (UEL)1.85%1.85%
Weekly earnings above the Upper Earnings Limit (UEL)2%2%

Employer’s (secondary) Class 1 contribution rates

Earnings bandTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Below Secondary Threshold (ST)0%0%
Above Secondary Threshold (ST)13.8%15%

Employer’s (secondary) Class 1 contribution rates for employees under 21

Earnings bandTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Below Upper Secondary Threshold (UST)0%0%
Above Upper Secondary Threshold (UST)13.8%15%

Employer’s (secondary) Class 1 contribution rates for Apprentices under 25

Earnings bandTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Below Apprentice Upper Secondary Threshold (AUST)0%0%
Above Apprentice Upper Secondary Threshold (AUST)13.8%15%

Employer’s (secondary) Class 1 contribution rates for eligible employees of Freeports

Earnings bandTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Below Freeports Upper Secondary Threshold0%0%
Above Freeports Upper Secondary Threshold13.8%15%

Employer’s (secondary) Class 1 contribution rates for eligible employees of Investment Zones

Earnings bandTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Below Investment Zone Upper Secondary Threshold0%0%
Above Investment Zone Upper Secondary Threshold13.8%15%

Employer’s (secondary) Class 1 contribution rates for qualifying veterans

Earnings bandTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Below Veterans Upper Secondary Threshold (VUST)0%0%
Above Veterans Upper Secondary Threshold (VUST)13.8%15%

Self-employed Class 2 contributions rates and thresholds (£ per week)

Class 2 thresholds (£ annual profit)

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Small Profits Thresholds (SPT)£6,725£6,845
Lower Profits Thresholds (LPT)£12,570£12,570

Class 2 contribution rates (£ per week)

Annual Profits BandTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Below Small Profits Threshold (SPT)£3.45 (voluntary)£3.50 (voluntary)
Above Small Profits Threshold (SPT) to Lower Profits Threshold (LPT)£0£0
Above Lower Profits Threshold (LPT)£0£0
Special Class 2 rate for share fisherman£4.10£4.15
Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers£6.15£6.25

Class 3 National Insurance contributions: other rates and thresholds (£ per week)

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Voluntary contributions£17.45£17.75

Self-employed Class 4 rates and thresholds (£ per year)

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Lower Profits Limit (LPL)£12,570£12,570
Upper Profits Limit (UPL)£50,270£50,270

Class 4 contribution rates

Annual Profits bandTax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Below Lower Profits Limit (LPL)0%0%
Lower profits Limit (LPL) to Upper Profits Limit (UPL)6%6%
Above Upper Profits Limit (UPL)2%2%

Self-employed National Insurance Contributions are calculated on an annual basis, therefore, the Lower Profits Limit was set at an average threshold of £11,908 for the 2022 to 2023 tax year which is equivalent to 13 weeks of the threshold at £9,880 and 39 weeks at £12,570, reflecting the position for employees.

Child Benefit, Guardian’s Allowance and tax credits

Following the publication of Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for September 2023, the government announced at Autumn Statement 2023 the new benefits rates for 2024 to 2025.

Child Benefit (£ per week)

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Eldest or only child£25.60£26.05
Other children£16.95£17.25

Guardian’s Allowance (£ per week)

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Guardian’s Allowance£21.75£22.10

As there will be no tax credit awards after 5 April 2025, there will be no changes to rates for the tax year 2025 to 2026.

Working Tax Credit (£ per year unless stated)

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Basic element£2,435Not applicable
Couple and lone parent element£2,500Not applicable
30 hour element£1,015Not applicable
Disabled worker element£3,935Not applicable
Severe disability element£1,705Not applicable

Childcare element of Working Tax Credit (£ per year unless stated)

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Maximum eligible cost for one child£175 per weekNot applicable
Maximum eligible cost for two or more children£300 per weekNot applicable
Percentage of eligible costs covered70%Not applicable

Child Tax Credit (£ per year unless stated)

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Family element£545Not applicable
Child element£3,455Not applicable
Disabled child element£4,170Not applicable
Severely disabled child element£5,850Not applicable
Income threshold£7,955Not applicable
Withdrawal rate (%)41%Not applicable
First threshold for those entitled to Child Tax Credit only£19,995Not applicable
Income rise disregard£2,500Not applicable
Income fall disregard£2,500Not applicable

Capital, assets and property

Pensions tax relief

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Lump Sum Allowance£268,275£268,275
Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance£1,073,100£1,073,100
Overseas Transfer Allowance£1,073,100£1,073,100
Annual Allowance Limit£60,000£60,000
Money Purchase Annual Allowance£10,000£10,000
Tapered Annual Allowance (applies when an individual has ‘adjusted income’ over this amount provided the ‘threshold income’ test is met)£260,000£260,000

Tax free savings accounts

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Individual Savings Account (ISA) subscription limit£20,000£20,000
Junior ISA subscription limit£9,000£9,000
Child Trust Fund (CTF) subscription limit£9,000£9,000

Capital Gains Tax

Rates for gains on assets other than residential property and carried interest

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer10%18%18%
Income Tax higher rate payer20%24%24%

Rates for individuals for gains on residential property which is not eligible for Private Residence Relief

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer18%18%18%
Income Tax higher rate payer24%24%24%

Rates for individuals for gains on carried interest

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer18%18%32%
Income Tax higher rate payer28%28%32%

Rate for trustees and personal representatives for gains on assets other than residential property and carried interest

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer20%24%24%
Income Tax higher rate payer20%24%24%

Rate for trustees and personal representatives for gains on residential property which is not eligible for Private Residence Relief

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer24%24%24%
Income Tax higher rate payer24%24%24%

Rate for personal representatives for gains on carried interest

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer28%28%32%
Income Tax higher rate payer28%28%32%

Annual exempt amount (AEA) for individuals and personal representatives

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer£3,000£3,000£3,000
Income Tax higher rate payer£3,000£3,000£3,000

Annual exempt amount (AEA) for most trustees

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer£1,500£1,500£1,500
Income Tax higher rate payer£1,500£1,500£1,500

Rate on gains subject to business asset disposal relief

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer10%10%14%
Income Tax higher rate payer10%10%14%

Rate on gains subject to investors’ relief

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer10%10%14%
Income Tax higher rate payer10%10%14%

Business asset disposal relief: lifetime limit on qualifying gains

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer£1 million£1 million£1 million
Income Tax higher rate payer£1 million£1 million£1 million

Investors’ relief: lifetime limit on gains for external investors

Tax year 2024 to 2025 (6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024)Tax year 2024 to 2025 (30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025)Tax year 2025 to 2026
Income Tax basic rate payer£10 million£1 million£1 million
Income Tax higher rate payer£10 million£1 million£1 million

Temporary Repatriation Facility

Tax year 2025 to 2026Tax year 2026 to 2027Tax year 2027 to 2028
Rate of designated foreign income and gains (FIG)12%12%15%

The Temporary Repatriation Facility (TRF) is available to former remittance basis users who have unremitted foreign income and gains for tax years prior to 2025 to 2026. Individuals can elect to pay tax at the TRF rate on offshore funds that they designate. The designated funds will then not be taxed on remittance to the UK. Former remittance basis users can also use the TRF to designate distributions from trust structures, which are matched to foreign income and gains which arose prior to April 2025.

Inheritance Tax

Tax year 2024 to 2025Tax year 2025 to 2026
Rate (for estates)40%40%
Reduced rate (for estates leaving 10% or more to charity)36%36%
Rate (for chargeable lifetime transfers)20%20%
Nil-rate band limit£325,000£325,000
Residence nil-rate band limit£175,000£175,000
Taper threshold for residence nil-rate band£2 million£2 million

Stamp Duty Land Tax — residential property from 23 September 2022 to 30 October 2024

Property valueRate (on portion of value above threshold)Rate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase is of an additional residential propertyRate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase is of residential property by certain non-UK residentsRate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase is of an additional residential property and by certain non-UK residents
£0 to £250,0000%3%2%5%
£250,001 to £925,0005%8%7%10%
£925,001 to £1.5 million10%13%12%15%
Over £1.5 million12%15%14%17%

Stamp Duty Land Tax — residential property from 31 October 2024 to 31 March 2025

Property valueRate (on portion of value above threshold)Rate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase is of an additional residential propertyRate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase is of residential property by certain non-UK residentsRate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase is of an additional residential property and by certain non-UK residents
£0 to £250,0000%5%2%7%
£250,001 to £925,0005%10%7%12%
£925,001 to £1.5 million10%15%12%17%
Over £1.5 million12%17%14%19%

Stamp Duty Land Tax — residential property from 1 April 2025

Property valueRate (on portion of value above threshold)Rate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase is of an additional residential propertyRate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase is of residential property by certain non-UK residentsRate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase is of an additional residential property and by certain non-UK residents
£0 to £125,0000%5%2%7%
£125,001 to £250,0002%7%4%9%
£250,001 to £925,0005%10%7%12%
£925,001 to £1.5 million10%15%12%17%
Over £1.5 million12%17%14%19%

Check HMRC guidance on whether the higher rate applies and whether a purchase is a ‘non-resident’ transaction.

Stamp Duty Land Tax — residential leases between 23 September 2022 and 31 March 2025

Net Present Value (NPV) of the rentRate (on portion of value above threshold)
£0 to £250,0000%
Over £250,0001%

Rates are increased by 2 percentage points (%) for certain ‘non-resident’ transactions.

Stamp Duty Land Tax — residential leases from 1 April 2025

Net Present Value (NPV) of the rentRate (on portion of value above threshold)
£0 to £125,0000%
Over £125,0001%

Rates are increased by 2 percentage points (%) for certain ‘non-resident’ transactions.

Stamp Duty Land Tax — rates for first-time buyers purchasing properties worth £625,000 or less from 23 September 2022 to 31 March 2025

Property valueRate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase qualifies for first-time buyer relief
£0 to £425,0000%
£425,001 to £625,0005%

Rates are increased by 2 percentage points (%) for certain ‘non-resident’ transactions.

Stamp Duty Land Tax — rates for first time-buyers purchasing properties worth £500,000 or less from 1 April 2025

Property valueRate (on portion of value above threshold) if purchase qualifies for first-time buyer relief
£0 to £300,0000%
£300,001 to £500,0005%

Rates are increased by 2 percentage points (%) for certain ‘non-resident’ transactions.

Stamp Duty Land Tax — higher rate for certain corporate transactions involving dwellings worth more than £500,000 from 20 March 2014 to 30 October 2024

Property valueRate on whole of purchase price
Over £500,00015%

Rates are increased by 2 percentage points (%) for certain ‘non-resident’ transactions.

Stamp Duty Land Tax — higher rate for certain corporate transactions involving dwellings worth more than £500,000 from 31 October 2024

Property valueRate on whole of purchase price
Over £500,00017%

Rates are increased by 2 percentage points (%) for certain ‘non-resident’ transactions.

Stamp Duty Land Tax — non-residential property on or after 17 March 2016

Purchase and Premium Transactions

Property ValueRate (on portion of value above threshold)
£0 to £150,0000%
£150,001 to £250,0002%
£250,001 and over5%

Stamp Duty Land Tax — non-residential leases on or after 17 March 2016

Net Present Value (NPV) of the leaseRate (on portion of value above threshold)
£0 to £150,0000%
£150,001 to £5 million1%
Over £5 million2%

Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED)

The ATED charges increase automatically each year in line with inflation (based on the previous September’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)).

The ATED annual charges will rise by 1.7% from 1 April 2025 in line with the September 2024 CPI.

The following table shows the property value band and what the revised charges will be for the 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 chargeable period.

Taxable value of the propertyCharge for tax year 2024 to 2025Charge for tax year 2025 to 2026
£500,001 to £1 million£4,400£4,450
£1,000,001 to £2 million£9,000£9,150
£2,000,001 to £5 million£30,550£31,050
£5,000,001 to £10 million£71,500£72,700
£10,000,001 to £20 million£143,550£145,950
Over £20 million£287,500£292,350

Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax

No Stamp Duty is charged where the certified consideration is less than £1,000.

Stamp Duty is charged on the purchase of own shares by a company under section 690 Companies Act 2006. The SH03 form is the chargeable instrument.

Where an instrument transfers either Intellectual Property (IP) or goodwill and shares, Stamp Duty is not chargeable on the consideration that relates to the IP or goodwill. A just and reasonable apportionment must be made.

Where an instrument grants a call option, and is itself a marketable security, Stamp Duty is charged at 0.5% of the consideration given for the premium.

Transfers of, and agreements to transfer securities

Standard RateHigher Rate
Stamp Duty0.5% (rounded up to next £5)Not applicable
Stamp Duty Reserve Tax0.5%Not applicable

Transfers of securities to clearance services and depositary receipt issuers

Standard RateHigher Rate
Stamp DutyNot applicable1.5% (rounded up to next £5)
Stamp Duty Reserve TaxNot applicable1.5%

Some clearance services choose to elect into the standard 0.5% STS regime. No 1.5% charge arises on transfers to such clearance services.

Rates for transfers on sale of interests in partnerships which hold shares and certain other securities

The Stamp Duty charge is capped at 0.5% of the market value of any shares held by the partnership (less any loans secured on them), multiplied by the percentage partnership interest transferred.

Bearer instruments

TransactionStamp DutyStamp Duty Reserve Tax
Transfer of bearer instrument1.5% (rounded up to next £5)0.5%
Transfer of non-UK bearer instrument by usage0.2% of market value (rounded up to next £5)Not applicable
Transfer of deposit certificate for stock of single non-UK company0.2% of market value (rounded up to next £5)Not applicable

In 2015 the Companies Act 2006 was amended to prohibit the creation of bearer shares by UK companies, and all existing bearer shares had to be cancelled or converted into registered shares.

Therefore, the charge remains only on the transfer on sale of bearer shares issued by or on behalf of non-UK companies, if the transfer occurs in the UK.

It may also apply on the transfer of certain bearer debt securities.

Stamp Duty on legacy land transactions

Where an agreement for a land transaction was entered into on or before 10 July 2003, but the instrument legally completing that contract is executed after that date, then the transaction will be subject to Stamp Duty, not Stamp Duty Land Tax. However, if the contract was not substantially performed before 10 July 2003 and has been varied, or rights under it have been assigned or sub-sold after 10 July 2003, Stamp Duty Land Tax may apply on completion.

If an instrument was executed to complete a land transaction at the time of the original transfer (but is only now being presented to HMRC), then the rate in force at that time will apply.

For rates before 28 March 2000, see the Stamp Taxes Manual, Appendix C, pages 324 to 334 on the National Archives website.

Freehold conveyances and transfers for instruments legally completing contracts made on or after 3 July 1997

The Stamp Duty charged is rounded to the next £5. For instruments legally completing contracts made on or before 2 July 1997, the rate is 1%.

Certified transfer valueInstruments executed between 28 March 2000 and 16 March 2005Instruments executed between 17 March 2005 and 22 March 2006Instruments executed after 22 March 2006
£60,000 and undernilnilnil
£120,000 and under1%nilnil
£125,000 and under1%1%nil
£250,000 and under1%1%1%
£500,000 and under3%3%3%
Over £500,000 or uncertified4%4%4%

Leasehold property — average rent of lease

The rates in the following table are based on the average rent of the lease.

The Stamp Duty charged is rounded to the next £5.

Stamp Duty rates: leasehold — average rent

Term of leaseRate
7 years or less — annual rent £5,000 or lessnil
7 years or less — annual rent more than £5,0001%
7 to 35 years2%
35 to 100 years12%
Over 100 years24%

Leasehold property — lease premium

The rates in the following table are based on the certified value in the transfer document.

The Stamp Duty charged is rounded to the next £5.

Stamp Duty rates: leasehold — on lease premium

Certified value RateRate
£60,000, annual rent £600 or lessnil
£250,0001%
£500,0003%
More than £500,0004%

Business and financial services

Corporation Tax rates

Financial year 2023 to 2024Financial year 2024 to 2025Financial year 2025 to 2026
Main rate25%25%25%
Small profits rate19%19%19%
Lower threshold£50,000£50,000£50,000
Upper threshold£250,000£250,000£250,000
Marginal relief standard fraction3/200ths3/200ths3/200ths
North Sea oil and gas ring fence profitsSee footnoteSee footnoteSee footnote

Marginal relief is available for companies with profits between £50,000 and £250,000. Find out to how to calculate marginal relief.

For North Sea oil and gas ring fence profits the main rate is 30% and the small profits rate is 19%. The marginal relief ring fence fraction is 11/400ths. The lower and upper limits for ring fence profits are £50,000 and £250,000 respectively.

Corporation Tax allowance and reliefs

Financial year 2024 to 2025Financial year 2025 to 2026
Plant and machinery: main rate expenditure18%18%
Plant and machinery: special rate expenditure6%6%
Structures and Building Allowance (SBA)3%3%
Annual investment allowance (AIA)£1 million£1 million
Enhanced Capital Allowances in Freeports100%100%
Enhanced Capital Allowances in Investment Zones100%100%
Enhanced Structures and Buildings Allowance in Freeports10%10%
Enhanced Structures and Buildings Allowance in Investment Zones10%10%
50% Special Rate First Year Allowance50%50%
Full Expensing: 100% First Year Allowance100%100%
Research and Development (R&D) tax credits SME scheme deduction rateNot applicableNot applicable
R&D tax credits SME scheme payable creditNot applicableNot applicable
R&D Intensive SME deduction rate186%186%
R&D Intensive SME payable credit14.5%14.5%
R&D Intensive SME intensity ratio30%30%
R&D Expenditure CreditNot applicableNot applicable
R&D Merged Scheme expenditure credit20%20%
Patent Box10%10%
Film tax relief25% or 34%25% or 34%
High-end TV tax relief25% or 34%25% or 34%
Videogames tax relief25% or 34%25% or 34%
Animation tax relief25% or 39%25% or 39%
Children’s TV tax relief25% or 39%25% or 39%
Open ended investment companies and authorised unit trusts20%20%

From 1 January 2024 an Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit and a Video Games Expenditure Credit will be implemented. The Video Games Expenditure Credit will have a rate of 34%. Under the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit, film and high end TV will be eligible for a rate of 34% and animation and children’s TV will be eligible for a rate of 39%.

For open ended investment companies and authorised unit trusts the applicable corporation tax rate is 20%.

DMS Posts, PAYE, Tax

Tax rates and thresholds 2024 to 2025

Tax rates and thresholds 2024 to 2025

These are a guide only and will be updated during the year as more information gets released from HMRC. Most have now been confirmed and a note has been added to any sections that have not been.

Updated 6th March 2024 – Employee Primary Threshold NI Rate changed from 10% to 8% and Married women’s reduced rate changed from 3.85% to 1.85%.

The following rates apply from 6th April 2024 until 5th April 2025 unless stated otherwise.

PAYE tax and Class 1 National Insurance Contributions

When you operate payroll through Shape, the software will work out the tax and national insurance contributions every time you pay your employees based on the below thresholds for 2024-2025 tax year.

Tax thresholds, rates and codes

The amount that is deducted from the employee is dependent on the employee’s tax code and how much they earn above their personal allowance.

England and Northern Ireland

The standard employee personal allowance for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is:

  • £242 per week
  • £1,048 per month
  • £12,570 per year
PAYE tax rateRate of taxAnnual earnings the rate applies to (above the PAYE threshold)
Basic tax rate20%Up to £37,700
Higher tax rate40%From £37,701 to £125,140
Additional tax rate45%Above £125,140

Scotland

Subject to parliamentary approval

The standard employee personal allowance for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is:

  • £242 per week
  • £1,048 per month
  • £12,570 per year
PAYE tax rateRate of taxAnnual earnings the rate applies to (above the PAYE threshold)
Starter tax rate19%Up to £2,306
Basic tax rate20%From £2,307 to £13,991
Intermediate tax rate21%From £13,992 to £31,092
Higher tax rate42%From £31,093 to £62,430
Advanced tax rate45%From £62,431 to £125,140
Top tax rate48%Above £125,141

Wales

Subject to parliamentary approval

The standard employee personal allowance for the 2024 to 2025 tax year is:

  • £242 per week
  • £1,048 per month
  • £12,570 per year
PAYE tax rateRate of taxAnnual earnings the rate applies to (above the PAYE threshold)
Basic tax rate20%Up to £37,700
Higher tax rate40%From £37,701 to £125,140
Additional tax rate45%Above £125,140

Emergency tax codes

The emergency tax codes from 6 April 2024 are:

  • 1257L W1
  • 1257L M1
  • 1257L X

More information on emergency tax codes.

Class 1 National Insurance Thresholds

National Insurance deductions are only made on earnings above the lower earnings limit.

Class 1 National Insurance thresholds2024 to 2025
Lower earnings limit£123 per week £533 per month £6,396 per year
Primary threshold£242 per week £1,048 per month £12,570 per year
Secondary threshold£175 per week £758 per month £9,100 per year
Freeport upper secondary threshold£481 per week £2,083 per month £25,000 per year
Upper secondary threshold (under 21)£967 per week £4,189 per month £50,270 per year
Apprentice upper secondary threshold (apprentice under 25)£967 per week £4,189 per month £50,270 per year
Veterans’ upper secondary threshold£967 per week £4,189 per month £50,270 per year
Upper earnings limit£967 per week £4,189 per month £50,270 per year

Class 1 National Insurance Rates

Employee (primary) contribution rates

National Insurance category letterEarnings at or above the lower earnings limit up to and including the primary thresholdEarnings above the primary threshold up to and including the upper earnings limitBalance of earnings above the upper earnings limit
A0%8%2%
B0%1.85%2%
Cnilnilnil
D (Investment Zone Deferment)0%2%2%
E (Investment Zone MWRRE)0%3.85%2%
F (Freeport)0%10%2%
H (apprentice under 25)0%10%2%
I (Freeport — married women and widows reduced rate)0%1.85%2%
J (Deferment)0%2%2%
K (Investment Zone over state pension age)nilnilnil
L (Freeport — deferment)0%2%2%
M (under 21)0%10%2%
N (Investment Zone Standard)0%10%2%
S (Freeport — over state pension age)nilnilnil
V (veteran)0%10%2%
Z (under 21 — deferment)0%2%2%

Employer (secondary) contribution rates

National Insurance category letterEarnings at or above the lower earnings limit up to and including the secondary thresholdEarnings above the secondary threshold up to and including the Freeport and Investment Zone upper secondary thresholdEarnings above Freeport and Investment Zone upper secondary threshold up to and including upper earnings limit, upper secondary thresholds for under 21s, apprentices and veteransBalance of earnings above upper earnings limit, upper secondary thresholds for under 21s, apprentices and veterans
A0%13.8%13.8%13.8%
B0%13.8%13.8%13.8%
C0%13.8%13.8%13.8%
D (Investment Zone Deferment)0%0%13.8%13.8%
E (Investment Zone MWRRE)0%0%13.8%13.8%
F (Freeport)0%0%13.8%13.8%
H (apprentice under 25)0%0%0%13.8%
I (Freeport — married women and widows reduced rate)0%0%13.8%13.8%
J (Deferment)0%13.8%13.8%13.8%
K (Investment Zone over state pension age)0%0%13.8%13.8%
L (Freeport — deferment)0%0%13.8%13.8%
M (under 21)0%0%0%13.8%
N (Investment Zone Standard)0%0%13.8%13.8%
S (Freeport — state pensioner)0%0%13.8%13.8%
V (veteran)0%0%0%13.8%
Z (under 21 — deferment)0%0%0%13.8%

Class 1A National Insurance: expenses and benefits

The National Insurance Class 1A rate on expenses and benefits for 2024 to 2025 is 13.8%.

More information about expenses and benefits.

Class 1A National Insurance: termination awards and sporting testimonial payments

The National Insurance Class 1A rate on termination awards and sporting testimonial payments for 2024 to 2025 is 13.8%. More information on termination awards.

More information on sporting testimonials.

Pay employers’ Class 1A National Insurance.

Class 1B National Insurance: PAYE Settlement Agreements (PSAs)

The National Insurance Class 1B rate for 2024 to 2025 is 13.8%. More information on PAYE Settlement Agreement.

Pay Class 1B National Insurance.

National Minimum Wage

HMRC guide to national minimum wage. There is also a National Minumum Wage calculator that can be used to check if employees are being paid the correct amount.

These rates apply from 1 April 2024.

The national living wage has been changed to include those 21 and over.

Category of workerHourly rate
Aged 21 and above (national living wage rate)£11.44
Aged 18 to 20 inclusive£8.60
Aged under 18 (but above compulsory school leaving age)£6.40
Apprentices aged under 19£6.40
Apprentices aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship£6.40

Check previous years’ national minimum wage rates.

Statutory Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared Parental and Parental Bereavement Pay

Use the maternity, adoption and paternity calculator for employers to work out your employee’s:

  • Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
  • paternity or adoption pay
  • qualifying week
  • average weekly earnings
  • leave period

These rates apply from 7 April 2024.

Type of payment or recovery2024 to 2025 rate
Statutory Maternity Pay — weekly rate for first 6 weeks90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings
Statutory Maternity Pay — weekly rate for remaining weeks£184.03 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower
Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP ) — weekly rate£184.03 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower
Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP ) — weekly rate for first 6 weeks90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings
Statutory Adoption Pay — weekly rate for remaining weeks£184.03 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower
Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP ) — weekly rate£184.03 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower
Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP ) — weekly rate£184.03 or 90% of the employee’s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower
SMP, SPP, ShPP, SAP or SPBP —proportion of your payments you can recover from HMRC92% if your total Class 1 National Insurance (both employee and employer contributions) is above £45,000 for the previous tax year 103% if your total Class 1 National Insurance for the previous tax year is £45,000 or lower

Statutory Sick Pay

The same weekly Statutory Sick Pay rate applies to all employees. However, the amount you must pay an employee for each day they’re off work due to illness (the daily rate) depends on the number of ‘qualifying days’ they work each week.

Use the Statutory Sick Pay calculator to work out your employee’s sick pay, or read how to work out your employee’s Statutory Sick Pay manually using these rates.

Unrounded daily ratesNumber of qualifying days in a week1 day to pay2 days to pay3 days to pay4 days to pay5 days to pay6 days to pay7 days to pay
£16.67857£16.68£33.36£50.04£66.72£83.40£100.08£116.75
£19.45836£19.46£38.92£58.38£77.84£97.30£116.75
£23.355£23.35£46.70£70.05£93.40£116.75
£29.18754£29.19£58.38£87.57£116.75
£38.91663£38.92£77.84£116.75
£58.3752£58.38£1116.75
£116.751£116.75

Examples

Employee worksQualifying days in a weekPeriod of sicknessPIWNumber of waiting daysNumber of days SSP is payable forTotal due for that week
Monday to Friday55532£46.70
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday33000£0.00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday44431£29.19

Student loan and postgraduate loan recovery

Rate or threshold2024 to 2025 rate
Employee earnings threshold for student loan plan 1£24,990 per year £1,922.30 per month £480.57 per week
Employee earnings threshold for student loan plan 2£27,295 per year £2,274.58 per month £524.90 per week
Employee earnings threshold for student loan plan 4£31,395 per year £2,606.25 per month £603.75 per week
Student loan deductions9%
Employee earnings threshold for postgraduate loan Not confirmed yet£21,000 per year £1,750 per month £403.84 per week
Postgraduate loan deductions6%

Company cars: advisory fuel rates

Use advisory fuel rates to work out mileage costs if you provide company cars to your employees. Not confirmed yet

These rates apply from 1 March 2023.

Engine sizePetrol — amount per mileLPG — amount per mile
1400cc or less13 pence10 pence
1401cc to 2000cc15 pence11 pence
Over 2000cc23 pence17 pence
Engine sizeDiesel — amount per mile
1600cc or less13 pence
1601cc to 2000cc15 pence
Over 2000cc20 pence

Hybrid cars are treated as either petrol or diesel cars for this purpose.

Check advisory fuel rates for previous periods.

Advisory electricity rate for fully electric cars from 1 March 2023

Amount per mile: 9 pence.

Electricity is not a fuel for car fuel benefit purposes.

Employee vehicles: mileage allowance payments

Not confirmed yet

Find out more about reporting and paying mileage allowance payments.

Type of vehicleRate per business mile 2023 to 2024
CarFor tax purposes: 45 pence for the first 10,000 business miles in a tax year, then 25 pence for each subsequent mile For National Insurance purposes: 45 pence for all business miles
Motorcycle24 pence for both tax and National Insurance purposes and for all business miles
Cycle20 pence for both tax and National Insurance purposes and for all business miles

Employment Allowance

Employment Allowance allows eligible employers to reduce their annual National Insurance liability by up to the annual allowance amount.

Allowance2024 to 2025 rate
Employment Allowance£5,000

Apprenticeship Levy

Employers and connected companies with a total annual pay bill of more than £3 million are liable to the Apprenticeship Levy, which is payable monthly. Employers who are not connected to another company or charity will have an annual allowance that reduces the amount of Apprenticeship Levy you have to pay. Apprenticeship Levy is charged at a percentage of your annual pay bill.

Allowance or charge2024 to 2025 rate
Apprenticeship Levy allowance£15,000
Apprenticeship Levy charge0.5%
Budget, PAYE, Tax

NIC Changes

Employers’ class 1 NIC

The secondary class 1 NIC rates and thresholds (paid by employers) were not altered in the Spring Statement, and the rate is increasing from 13.8% to 15.05% on 6 April 2022. 

For 2022/23 the various secondary class 1 NIC thresholds are:

  Secondary class 1 NIC Thresholds
For most employees the employer pays at 15.05% on wages:
Per week:£175
Per month:£758
Per year:£9,100
If the employee is an apprentice or aged under 21 employer pays class 1 NIC at 15.05% on wages above:
Per week:£967
Per month:£4,189
Per year:£50,270
For new employees working at least 60% of their time in a Freeport site the employer can claim relief from class 1 NIC on wages up to: 
Per week:£481
Per month:£2,083
Per year:£25,000

Employees’ class 1 NIC 

The rates of primary class 1 NIC paid by employees are increasing on 6 April 2022 from 12% to 13.25% and from 2% to 3.25% for the upper rate.

The lower earnings limit (LEL) has not been changed from the proposed level for 2022/23, which will be: £123 per week, £533 per month, £6,396 per year. On earnings between the LEL and the primary threshold, the employee pays class NIC at 0%, thus receives NIC credit for those wages.

The upper earnings limit (UEL) has also not been changed by the Spring Statement, and will stay at the proposed thresholds for 2022/23 of £967 per week, £4,189 per month, £50,270 per year. On earnings above the UEL, the employee will pay class 1 NIC at 3.35% for 2022/23.

The complication introduced by the Spring Statement is that the primary threshold (PT) for class 1 NIC will change part way through the tax year on 6 July 2022. The employee will pay class 1 NIC at 13.25% on earnings between the LEL and the PT for 2022/23.  

Class 1 NIC primary thresholds 6 April to 5 July 2022 6 July 2022 to 5 April 2023 
Per week£190£242
Per month£823£1048
Per year£9,880£12,570

As NIC is paid according to the pay period, and is not cumulative, only nine months of earnings (from July 2022 to March 2023) will benefit from the higher PT.

Company directors tend to use an annual or quarterly earnings period. Those on quarterly pay will use the lower threshold for the first quarter to 5 July 2022, and the higher PT for the remainder of the year. Those on annual earnings period will use a PT of £11,908 for 2022/23 as specified in clause 4(2) of the National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Bill 2022.

Self-employed class 4 

The lower profits limit (LPL), from which class 4 NIC becomes payable, is also increased to align with the personal allowance of £12,570, but over two years. The upper profits limit is frozen at £50,270.

Tax Year Main rate Additional rateLPLUpper profits limit
2022/2310.25%3.25%£11,908£50,270
2023/2410.25%*3.25%*£12,570£50,270

* Including Health and Social Care levy

For 2022/23 the LPL will be £11,908, that is nine months of the increased level, to make it equivalent to the same NIC allowance enjoyed by employees. Although the self-employed individual will pay class 4 NIC at the main rate of 10.25%, which is three percentage points lower than the class 1 NIC paid on the same income band by an employee.  

Self-employed class 2 NIC

The class 2 NIC paid by the self-employed creates a contribution record for the individual, unlike the class 4 NIC, which is a pure tax. 

The class 2 small profits threshold (SPT) will remain in place from April 2022, but the individual will not be liable to pay class 2 NIC until their profits exceed the lower profits threshold for the tax year, which is aligned with the lower profits threshold for class 4 NIC.

Tax year Flat rate per week   Small profits threshold  Lower profits limit 
2022/23£3.15£6,725£11,908 
2023/24TBATBA £12,570

New class 2 NI credit 

Where the individual has annual profits between the SPT and the LPL, they will effectively build up a NI credit for that year, while paying zero class 2 NIC. Note that the taxpayer has to make profits at least equal to the SPT for the year in order to benefit from this class 2 NI credit. 

In order to receive the class 2 NI credit the taxpayer will have to submit a tax return, although if they have no other income in the year they will have no tax to pay. 

The introduction of the class 2 NI credit does not eliminate the need for voluntary class 2 NIC payments. Where the trading profits are less than the SPT the individual may still wish to pay voluntary class 2 NIC in order to maintain their contribution record and qualify for the state pension, as well as for other contributory benefits.

DMS Posts

Changes to the CJRS from July

In July, the UK Government will pay 70% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,187.50. In August and September, this will reduce to 60% of employees’ usual wages up to a cap of £1,875.

You will need to pay the 10% difference in July, and 20% in August and September, so that you continue to pay your furloughed employees at least 80% of their usual wages for the hours they do not work during this time, up to a cap of £2,500 per month.

You can still choose to top up your employees’ wages above the 80% level or cap for each month if you wish, at your own expense.

To help you plan ahead for future claim periods, the CJRS calculator is available to help you work out how much you can claim for employees up to the end of September. To find this and everything you need to know about the CJRS, search ‘Job Retention Scheme’ on GOV‌‌.UK.

DMS Posts, PAYE, Tax

Tax and National Insurance rates and bands

Here are the changes that will come into effect in April 2021:

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage

Changes will come into effect on 1st April. Note the different age bands for rates in 2021/22.

2021/222020/21
Employees aged under 18: NMW£4.62£4.55
Employees aged 18-20: NMW£6.56£6.45
Employees aged 23 and over: NLW£8.91N/A
Employees aged 25 and over: NLWN/A£8.72
Employees aged 21-24: NMWN/A£8.20
Employees aged 21-22: NMW£8.36N/A

England, Northern Ireland and Wales

Changes will come into effect on 6th April 2021.

2021/222020/21
Personal allowance£12,570£12,500
Employee’s NI becomes due at£9,568£9,500
Employer’s NI becomes due at£8,840£8,788
Higher rate tax becomes due at£50,270£50,000
Class 2 NI becomes due when profits exceed£6,515£6,475
Class 2 NI per week£3.05£3.05
Class 4 NI becomes due when profits exceed£9,568£9,500

Scottish tax rates and bands

Changes will come into effect on 6th April 2021.

2021/222020/21
Personal allowance£0 – £12,570£0 – £12,500
Starter rate 19%£12,571 – £14,667£12,501 – £14,585
Basic rate 20%£14,668 – £25,296£14,586 – £25,158
Intermediate rate 21%£25,297 – £43,662£25,159 – £43,430
Higher rate 41%£43,663 – £150,000£43,431 – £150,000
Top rate 46%Over £150,000Over £150,000

Student Loan repayment thresholds and new Scottish student loan plan

Changes will come into effect on 6th April 2021.

2021/222020/21
Undergraduate loan: plan 1£19,895£19,390
Undergraduate loan: plan 2£27,295£26,575
Scottish student loan: plan 4£25,000N/A
Postgraduate loan£21,000£21,000