Tax threshold freezes to create 2.5m new higher rate taxpayers - LCP

‘Ultimate stealth tax’

Ayesha Venkataraman
clock • 2 min read

There will be a surge in the number of people paying income tax at the 40% rate or above during this this Parliament as a result of a long-term freeze in tax thresholds and rampant inflation, according to analysis by pensions consultancy LCP.

In 2021, the HMRC estimated there were 4.3m people paying income tax at the higher rate of 40% or the additional rate of 45% at the time of the last election in 2019/20. It also estimated the number of higher rate taxpayers would have grown to 4.6m people by 2021/22, an increase around 300,000. However, LCP highlighted these HMRC estimates were based on Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates for wage growth from March 2021, which have since changed significantly. HMRC's estimate of the number of higher rate taxpayers in 2021/22 was based on assuming a growth in total wages a...

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 Your Business

Succession planning 'not just a transaction' for advice business owners

Succession planning 'not just a transaction' for advice business owners

Should be an ‘entire phase’, advisers told

Isabel Baxter
clock 10 July 2025 • 2 min read
Adviser books lack younger clients as they pick DIY or robo-advice

Adviser books lack younger clients as they pick DIY or robo-advice

Apathy and lack of advice value understanding also barriers

Isabel Baxter
clock 09 July 2025 • 2 min read
Partners Wealth Management acquires Surrey advice firm

Partners Wealth Management acquires Surrey advice firm

Rebrands following late June acquisition

Jen Frost
clock 08 July 2025 • 1 min read