Setting up multiple companies to separate business interests can seem very straight forward. There are however important considerations. We explore the implications of owning too many companies.
October 2024 Newsletter
28 October 2024
Estate Planning / IHT, People, Reducing Tax
Possible Capital Gains Tax Changes In The October Budget
Many commentators are suggesting that the rate of CGT might be aligned with the rates of income tax, a return to the regime that applied when Gordon Brown was chancellor.
Rachel Reeves is known to be a disciple of Gordon, so maybe we will see a return to taper relief as well!
One would hope that Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR), or something similar, is retained to encourage entrepreneurship and growth.
She might even reintroduce Business Asset Taper, one of Gordon’s ideas, to reduce the effective CGT rate to 10% after 10 years’ ownership?
If some form of CGT relief to encourage entrepreneurs is retained then maybe the conditions for obtaining the relief will be tightened still further?
Other changes
Other possible changes to CGT to listen out for include further restrictions to private residence relief and changes to hold over relief for transfers into and out of trust.
A more controversial change would be the removal of the CGT free uplift to probate value on death, with beneficiaries inheriting the deceased’s CGT base cost of their assets, as suggested by the now abolished Office of Tax Simplification (OTS).
CGT changes normally take effect from 6 April, but there have been mid-year changes in the past.
This possibility has caused many taxpayers to bring forward disposals to take advantage of the current rates.
The disposal date for CGT is the date of unconditional exchange of contracts and there is likely to be anti-forestalling legislation to counteract attempts to artificially bring forward the disposal date.
There is still a limited time to execute a sale of listed shares before 30 October but other assets will need reviewing after Budget day in light of any announced changes.
Keep a look out for our post Budget updates, where we’ll give you a definitive breakdown of all the announced changes, how they’ll affect you, and what you can do to mitigate and negative impacts.
Beware “Bed And Breakfast” Anti-Avoidance
Many investors may be looking to realise capital gains on their investments at the current rates, just in case there is an increase with effect from 30 October 2024.
They may then wish to repurchase those investments after the change in rates to retain the balance of investments in their portfolio.
Where the same shares and securities are bought back within 30 days of the date of disposal, the shares bought back would be matched with those sold and the desired capital gain and increase in base cost may be negated.
For example, if 1000 shares in A plc were bought for £2 a share several years ago and are sold on 29 October 2024 for £4.50 a share there would be an apparent £2,500 capital gain, potentially tax free if the £3,000 2024/25 CGT annual exemption is unused.
However, if the same class of shares in A plc are purchased on say 5 November 2024 for £4.45 a share there would be a £50 capital loss instead of the desired capital gain and the base cost would remain at £2 a share.
This is because the repurchase is within 30 days.
An alternative strategy would be for the taxpayer’s spouse to repurchase the shares (“bed and spousing”) or to repurchase the shares in the taxpayer’s ISA or pension fund.
Rumours Of Pension Changes In The October Budget
Changes to pension tax relief seems to be top of the list of possible changes in the Budget and could yield more tax revenues than changes to CGT and IHT combined.
As recently as 6 April 2023, we saw the abolition of the lifetime allowance charge and a significant increase in the pension annual allowance to £60,000 a year, which Rachel Reeves commented were too generous, so we may see those changes reversed or curtailed.
Possible changes to pensions to listen out for include:
- Limiting pension tax relief for individuals to basic rate or possibly a 30% flat rate;
- Further limiting (or abolishing) the 25% tax free lump sum;
- Freezing or reducing the £1,073,100 lump sum and death benefit allowance;
- Making the undrawn pension fund subject to inheritance tax; and
- Limiting the amount of employer pension contributions that can be paid by way of a salary sacrifice.
Pension changes normally take effect from the start of the tax year on 6 April, however, there have been mid-year changes in the past.
If you’re concerned about your own pension position, or are thinking of changing your contributions, please contact your account manager so we can best advise you once the Budget announcements are made.
Many Over 55’s Can Withdraw 25% Of Their Pension Fund Tax-Free
Under current pension rules, many pension funds allow pension scheme members to withdraw up to 25% of their pension savings tax-free.
Finance Act 2023 limited the tax-free amount to £268,275 unless the individual had applied for protection at a higher amount.
There are rumours that the tax-free amount may be further limited, with an amount of £100,000 suggested, and this has resulted in significant withdrawals from pension funds in recent weeks.
It should be noted that there are anti-avoidance rules that limit the amount that can be reinvested in the pension fund within a 12 month period.
Pension lump sum “recycling” is countered by anti-avoidance rules where the lump sum withdrawn is more than £7,500 during a one year period and subsequent pension contributions are increased by more than 30% of the lump sum.
A breach of this rule will mean that the lump sum is an unauthorised payment and will be taxed at 40%.
If you’re thinking about starting to withdraw your pension, please give us a call to ensure you’re withdrawing it in the most tax efficient manner.
Check Your State Pension Entitlement
The current State Pension is £11,502 and is due to rise to around £12,000 a year for 2025/26.
At current annuity rates it would cost over £300,000 to receive an index-linked annuity starting at £12,000 a year, so it’s important to maximise your entitlement.
In order to receive a full State Pension you need 35 qualifying years, but is it worth topping up voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions in respect of missing years?
This is a financial decision but there is a short breakeven period.
It is around 3 years for employees and even shorter for the self-employed who can pay Class 2 contributions for missing years.
You can also get credit for missing years if you were not working because of bringing up children.
Employees
Employees need to make Class 3 contributions of £824.20 or £907.40 a year for extra years which yields £302.86 a year in additional annual state pension.
Self-employed
Self-employed individuals can pay Class 2 contributions at the rate of £179.40 for each missing year to yield £302.86 per annum.
Missing pension contributions
Normally you can only go back six years to make up missing contributions but there is currently an opportunity to fill up missing years going back to 2006/07 – note that the deadline for the extended carry back is 5 April 2025.
You can check your state pension forecast by logging into your government gateway account.
If you’re unsure how to do this, please contact your account manager.
The content in this blog is correct as of 25th October 2024. See terms and conditions.
