Budget: Govt lowers 40% income tax threshold

clock

Hundreds of thousands of basic rate taxpayers will fall into the 40% income tax bracket when the government lowers the threshold next year.

The Budget small print shows the higher rate threshold will be reduced by £1,025, from £42,475 to £41,450, from April next year, capturing, experts suggest, as many as 300,000 extra people. Osborne has been keen to stress a number of measures in today's Budget target the rich, after announcing the 50p top rate of tax would be cut to 45p from April next year. From April 2013, the personal allowance will increase by £1,100 in cash terms to £9,205 - a measure worth about £170 a year after inflation to the typical taxpayer, he said. But, at the same time, Osborne will lower the basic r...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Tax Planning

HMRC consults on extending UTT regime 'targeting' wealthy individuals

HMRC consults on extending UTT regime 'targeting' wealthy individuals

To cover stamp duty, National Insurance, IHT and CGT

Isabel Baxter
clock 13 May 2026 • 2 min read
Probate cases taking nearly two years rise by 131%

Probate cases taking nearly two years rise by 131%

Increased risk of interest accruing on IHT

Jaskeet Briah
clock 07 April 2026 • 2 min read
Government confirms standalone death-in-service benefits exempt from IHT changes

Government confirms standalone death-in-service benefits exempt from IHT changes

'The draft clause was nonsensical'

Jaskeet Briah
clock 17 March 2026 • 3 min read