The basic points to come out of the 2011 Budget were as follows:
-The individual personal allowance for 2011/12 will be £7,475 representing an increase of £1,000 each as previously announced.
-For 2012/13 this will increase by a further £630 to £8,105.
-The 40% band will start at the lower level though of £42,475 this year and 50% will be charged on income over £150,000!
-The lower rate of corporation tax is being reduced to 20% (applicable on profits below £300,000)
-Full rate of corporation tax is reduced by 2% to 26% this year, and will fall by a further 1% p.a. over the next 3 years
-Lifetime limit for Entrepreneurs’ Relief for capital gains tax on the disposal of business assets is increased from £5 million to £10 million.
-R&D tax credit for small and medium sized enterprises will be increased to 200% from April 2011 and to 225% a year later.
-The main rates of National Insurance will increase by 1% from 6/4/11 as previously announced. The primary threshold for employers NI will be £139 per week, and the secondary threshold will become £136 a week. Employees will not pay NI on earnings below £139 per week.
-From April 2011 losses on furnished holiday lettings will only be offset against income from the same business and so cease to be treated as trading losses allowable against other earned income.
Approved mileage rates which employers can pay employees is increased to 45p per mile (from 40p) for the first 10,000 miles. The excess over 10,000 p.a. will still be at 25p per mile.
-Capital Gains annual exemption increases to £10,600.
-VAT registration threshold will increase from £70,000 to £73,000 from 1/4/11.