VAT, Finance & Tax Changes – 2017

A number of tax and finance changes are set to take place in 2017.

It is important to start planning ahead of time so that you  take advantage of any opportunities available.

Some of the changes are in the process of being legislated through parliament and may be subject to change.

Salary sacrifice schemes

Income tax and employer national insurance contributions and the advantages of most salary sacrifice schemes will be removed from 6 April 2017. Pensions, pensions advice, childcare and ultra low emission vehicles will be exempt from the new rules.

Corporation tax

From 1 April 2017, the rate of corporation tax will be cut to 19%.

Business rates

100% rate relief will be available to businesses in England that occupy a single property with a rateable value of £12,000 or less from 1 April 2017.

Auto-enrolment staging dates

Employers will continue the process of auto-enrolment in 2017.

Personal allowance

The personal allowance and the higher rate threshold will rise to £11,500 and £45,000 respectively from 6 April. The higher rate threshold in Scotland will be £43,430.

ISA annual limit

The ISA annual allowance limit will increase from £15,240 to £20,000 from 6 April 2017.

Money purchase allowance

The money purchase allowance will be reduced from £10,000 to £4,000 from April 2017.

Domicile

From 6 April 2017, any person resident in the UK for more than 15 of the past 20 years will be deemed  UK domiciled for tax purposes.

VAT flat rate scheme changes

Limited Cost Trader rate of 16.5% has been brought in.