Financial folk speak of the end of the tax year and rush to finalise fiscal matters.
But what exactly is the tax year, what needs to be done and why?
Whether a layperson, interested observer, lapsed expert or those simply in need of a memory jog there follows a quick introduction to the tax year, a brief guide to the budget and a short tax planning ticklist.
THE FINANCIAL YEAR END
The UK tax year, or financial year, runs from 6th April until 5th April the following year. It is a twelve month period used for, amongst other things, measuring earnings and calculating income and the tax payable on them. Confusingly for the purposes of corporation tax and government financial statements the year starts April 1st (no fooling!) and finishes March 31. And those readers who run companies or know someone that does will know a company year can start and end whenever the owner wants and a company year can even be longer than 12 months! But that is for another blog post…
Back to the UK taxpayer fiscal year. Why April 6th? Surely running the tax year the same as the calendar year would make life easier? The sensible Swedes and the economical Germans do exactly that. But we Brits are not alone in our quirky dates. Across the pond Americans run from October to September and down under our Australian cousins have a tax year that starts in July and ends in June.
The April 5th year end for personal tax and benefits reflects the old ecclesiastical calendar, with New Year falling on March 25 (which was known as ‘Lady Day’), the difference being accounted for by the eleven days "missed out" when Great Britain converted from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar in 1752. The British tax authorities and landlords were unwilling to lose 11 days of tax and rent revenue so under the ‘Times of Payment of Rents, Annuities, &c’ of the Calendar Act 1750, the 1752–3 tax year was extended by 11 days. From 1753 until 1799, the tax year in Great Britain began on April 5, which was the "old style" new year of March 25. A 12th skipped Julian leap day in 1800 changed its start to April 6. It was not changed when a 13th Julian leap day was skipped in 1900. So since 1800 the start of the personal tax year in the United Kingdom has been April 6th.
THE BUDGET
The next Budget will take place on Wednesday 21 March 2012. Readers who are up to speed with social media will be able to follow the official HM Treasury Twitter channel with the #Budget2012 hashtag.
Or me at @ianjamesgreen
Most of us recognise budget day as when the Chancellor appears on his doorstep with the famous red box. The Budget box or 'Gladstone box' was used to carry the Chancellors speech from Number 11 to the House for over 100 consecutive years. The wooden box was hand-crafted for Gladstone, lined in black satin and covered in scarlet leather. The word “budget” derives from the term “bougette” – a wallet in which either documents or money could be kept. And one more fascinating budget fact … Chancellors are allowed to refresh themselves with alcoholic drinks during their Budget speech - no other Member of Parliament can do this although we could be forgiven for thinking otherwise with some of the hullabaloo we witness!
The Budget is the single most important economic and financial statement made each year by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to Parliament and the nation. There is an act of parliament that requires the Government to produce a Budget Report for each financial year. There is a ‘Charter for Budget Responsibility’ which sets out what the Budget Report must cover.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has to publish two economic and fiscal forecasts for each financial year, one of which is to be the official forecast on which the Chancellor sets out the Government’s fiscal policy in the Budget. The OBR’s duty is to examine and report on the sustainability of the public finances and it is required to do so objectively, transparently and impartially.
The Budget is actually the Chancellor’s response to the OBR’s forecasts.
Historically, the chancellor would often announce in the budget (end of March) a new measure, such as the removal of a benefit, or an increase in an allowance, and give a number of days to act, normally the start of the new tax year (first week of April). Buy now, while stocks last, in other words. Sadly, those days are gone with any new measures (that usually make us worse off!) implemented immediately. This is why the market for budget forecasters is now so big, as those of us that read the financial pages know too well. In the run up to the budget the press is full of ‘what might happen’
Rather than go over here what can be read elsewhere with a quick google, let’s look at just one personal financial matter, that has been mentioned as possibly going every single year I can remember since starting as a financial planner in 1995. Higher rate tax relief on pension contributions. Will this finally be the year it goes? Those against say it is the last thing that should happen. We need to be encouraging private pension provision, not the opposite. Those for say it is a fair tax, that only hits higher earners and will raise billions. Which camp are you in? Tune in to George on March 21 to find out…
What are my predictions? Clients of Green Financial will know that in all matters, whether financial, legal, political or investment I do NOT claim to own a functioning crystal ball! But climbing down off the fence, albeit briefly, I think a budget for growth is needed. I think there will be a few hard decisions for the chancellor and a few unpopular items, normally hidden away in the small print rather than announced in the House. But I also think the nation needs good news, so maybe a few pleasant surprises could be in store.
TAX PLANNING TICKLIST
In terms of personal financial planning, a few items to consider. Please remember, if you are in any doubt as to whether any of these tips apply to you or your family, either please ensure you know exactly what you are doing or preferably seek professional independent financial advice.
ISA – open and use your ISA allowance. You’ll pay no income tax or capital gains tax on any gains. You can choose cash or stocks and shares versions. This year’s allowance is £10,680 per person.
ISA – next year. The allowance rises to £11,280 on 6th April but you can apply now. For those that contribute monthly amounts you’ll need to change your direct debit amount from £890pm to £940 per month
Junior ISA – introduced in November 2011 the allowance is £3,600 per eligible child and the benefits are similar to adult ISAs
Capital gains – we all have a CGT allowance of £10,600 a year. Many of our clients sell shares to realise a gain and use the proceeds to fund the next year’s ISA.
Pension – Will this be the last hurrah for higher rate tax relief? (see above). Currently tax relief up to 50% is available. But pensions are a long term commitment with seemingly ever changing rules. Weigh up the pros and cons for your situation before committing too much.
Junior pension – parents and grandparents can contribute to a pension for a child, placing up to £3,600 away at a cost of only £2,880, a tax break of £800. But will the child thank you for a present they can only open when age 55?!
National Savings – the rates have dropped massively and the number of accounts on sale has also fallen. But there are still tax shelters available including the ever popular premium bonds
Inheritance Tax – There are a number of gifts one can make to reduce the liability including giving away up to £3,000 from capital.
Personal allowances – Ensure you make full use of these, especially if one of a couple is a lower rate tax payer than the other.
As at the start of this part of the article, PLEASE seek professional advice if in any doubt whatsoever over the suitability of these tips for your own situation.
There is a FREE download on end of year tax planning here:
http://www.iangreen.com/downloads/tax2012.pdf
and a FREE wealth & tax tips guide with FIFTY tips here:
http://www.iangreen.com/GFA-Tax&WealthTips2011.pdf
Both of the above are also available as photos to view at www.facebook.com/GreenFinancial
