What can we expect in the Autumn Budget 2024?
At a glance
With the new government’s first Budget scheduled for 30 October, we’re starting to hear some hints and theories about what may be included in the statement.
What any changes will actually mean for everybody is yet to be fully understood and, unless there are significant leaks in advance, we won’t know the detail until the day.? But it pays to keep abreast of speculation.
What we do know
Prior to the election, Labour committed to:
But it has ruled out:
What has there been speculation about?
In his Rose Garden speech on 27 August, Keir Starmer referred extensively to a “black hole” in the country’s finances and that things would have to get worse before they get better. He also referenced that the biggest burden would be borne by those with the broadest shoulders.
Most of what we know is based on the Labour manifesto and whilst it was silent on wealth - Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Inheritance Tax (IHT) - and investment taxes, there is speculation that changes to some of these areas could be announced in the Budget:
The speculation is founded on the acknowledgement that tax increases may be necessary to meet Labour’s commitment to address the fiscal challenges.
Pensions
Labour’s manifesto commits them to ‘undertake a review of the pension landscape’ which suggests that there will be no immediate changes to the annual allowance or the availability of tax relief.
We have seen speculation regarding the removal of (or restriction on) tax free cash, although this hasn’t come from the government who have stated that they don’t intend to change tax free cash on pensions.
And again, there is talk of flat-rate tax relief, although Rachel Reeves has stated that there is no plan to curb tax relief or for an immediate reinstatement of the Lifetime Allowance.
Capital Gains Tax
Given the warnings of tax increases likely in the Budget, there is understandable concern that changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) may be introduced. CGT speculation has meant that one particular question is increasingly being asked: Can CGT be changed mid-year? The precedent of a new Chancellor making a mid-year change to CGT rates post-election already exists when George Osborne raised the CGT rate in his June 2010 Budget following the Conservative’s election victory.
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For individuals and trusts, CGT is generally accounted for on a tax year basis, so a mid-year change causes none of the disruption that would be associated with income tax (or NIC) mid-year tweaks. Even residential property sales have a 60-day period for reporting/payment (although this special treatment did not exist in 2010). The other question mark over an in-year change is whether more tax might be raised by deferring the change to 6 April 2025. So if the Chancellor wants to raise revenue as quickly as possible, waiting to enforce from April 2025 could deliver more in the short term.
Business Assets Disposal Relief
One of the major triggers of CGT is the sale of business assets. Currently, up to ￡1m of gains from the disposal of an interest in a qualifying business would be taxed at the lower rate of 10%. And whilst this could feature in the statement, it’s not thought to be a major target given the generally accepted importance of encouraging small businesses.
IHT
The forewarning of tax increases countered by the promise to not impact working people has understandably led to speculation regarding to inheritance tax (IHT) changes. But exactly if, what and how is not yet clear.
ISA allowances
We’ve seen no speculation on ISAs as yet.
Wealth Tax
With the government’s self-imposed constraints on income tax, NIC and VAT - and the potential limits on the amounts that could be collected from IHT and CGT increases – it’s perhaps unsurprising that there is some talk of the introduction of a separate Wealth Tax.
The government has not expressed any indication that this is part of their plans but recent union and media speculation has raised the subject.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has called for “reforms to taxation, introduction of wealth taxes, and a redistribution of wealth.”1
A wealth tax could be a complex tax to create for a variety of reasons though, not least of all due to the challenges of asset valuation and liquidity to pay the tax.
While we can never be certain about what might be in the Budget and especially this year, most expect Wealth Tax to remain on the sidelines, despite the latest rumblings.? More likely is higher taxes on capital in the form of CGT and IHT, as has been widely forecast. And indirect wealth tax on residential property, through a reform of council tax is a possibility.
Next steps
We know that uncertainty and speculation can be unnerving, but it’s important to remember that change – to your aspirations, your personal circumstances and legislation - is constant. As a result, it’s important that your financial plans are reviewed regularly with your financial adviser to ensure that they remain on target to meet your objectives and are maximising any tax allowances available to you.
The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and the value may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.
The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.
SJP Approved 13/09/2024