The British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong 2013 UK Budget Briefing 26 March 2013 Debbie Annells Managing Director AzureTax Ltd

AZURE TAX CONSULTING

Budget Report UK Economy The economy is predicted to grow by 0.6% (1.2%) this year, 1.8% (2.5%) next year, and 2.3 % in The forecast from 2015 remains unchanged. Consumer price inflation is expected to reach 2.5% by the end of 2012 before “returning to target in the medium term”. The inflation target remains at 2%, as measured by the Retail Prices Index. Unemployment is forecast at 7.9% and then to fall for each of the next four years, to reach 6.9% in 2017.

Borrowing/Deficit Public Sector net borrowing is forecast to fall by a third over the 3 years from from its post war peak of 11.2% of GBP to 7.4% of GDP in It is then forecast to continue to fall to 5% of GDP in and 2.2% of GDP in Bank Levy In order to ensure that the bank levy raises at least GBP2.56b each year the full rate e.g. the levy to increase for 0.105% to 0.130% from 1 January In addition the full rate of the levy will be increased to 0.142% from 1 January 2014 This will collect the additional amount from banks which will be needed due to the fall in Corporation Tax receipts.

Government Receipts Total Revenues GBP612b

Government Spending Total Spending GBP720b - approx GBP10,000 per person

GAAR introduced as from the scheme date of the Royal Assent. The Aaronson report was targeted at specific schemes so hopefully this legislation will be positive. There will be no clearance procedure. Taxpayers will have to take a long term view their planning arrangements. Corporation Tax down to 20%; flat rate for all companies. Personal Allowance at GBP10,000 in 2014/15 Flat Rate Pension in 2016 Non domiciled spouses- changes at last Deductions for debt for inheritance taxes restricted. Main Budget Points

AZURE TAX CONSULTING Transfer Pricing George Osborne refrained from introducing any transfer pricing measures in his budget for However, he has confirmed his commitment to working on an international level to tackle base erosion and profit shifting. It is now likely that the Chancellor will wait until the meeting of the G8 in June 2013 to launch any transfer pricing changes.

Taxes From 4 January 2011, VAT was increased to 20%. VAT threshold for small business has been increased to £79,000 this year. Personal Income Tax Allowance to be increased by £1,335 in April 2013 to £9,440 (another 840,000 people will fall out of the tax net) – worth £267 a year to basic rate taxpayers. As from April 2014 the Government has met its longer term commitment to increase the Personal Allowance to £10,000 - taking 257,000 individuals out of income tax altogether in By April 2014 the cumulative effect of the Government increase will take 2.7 million people out of the income tax system.

Taxes Capital Gains Tax remains 18% for low and middle- income savers and higher rate taxpayers pay 28%. There is no change to the headline rate of 18/28%. Entrepreneurs Relief remains at 10% with a lifetime limit of £10 million. Inheritance Tax. The nil rate band of £325,000 has been frozen for a further three years from until This announcement supercedes previous announcements.

UK Income Tax rates 2013/14 £0- £2,790 10%* £2,791 - £32,01020% £32,011 - £150,000 40% £150,000 and above 45% * Starting rate for savings income is 10% on income within first £2,790. Dividends rate still 10%, 32.5% and 37.5% 2012/13 £0 - £2,710 10%* £2,711 - £32,24520% £32,246 - £150,000 40% £150,000 and above 50% *

(£ per year) 2013/ /15 Personal Allowance (age under 65) 9,44010,000 Personal Allowance (age 65-74)10,50010,500 Personal Allowance (age 75 and over)10, Blind person* 2,160TBA Married couple’s allowance* (age 75 and over) 7,9157,915 Aged income limit25,40025,400 UK Personal Allowances * Abates by £1 for every £2 of income over £100,000 from 2010/11

AZURE TAX CONSULTING Corporation Tax Rates In the 2012 Autumn Statement the Chancellor had announced that the main rates of corporation tax were to be reduced. In Budget 2013, that the main rate will be cut again to 20% for Financial Year Financial YearMain rateSmall company rate %20% %20% %20% %20% As from Financial Year 2015, the main rate and small rate will be the same for the first time, ever. This will make life easier for many accountants and advisers and make the UK more attractive for companies setting up in the UK.

Pensions Confirming previous announcements… Salary over GBP180,000 – only basic rate relief Salary over GBP150,000 – relief reduced on a sliding scale In practice those on GBP130,000 or more maybe affected – salary calculated inclusive of employer pension/charity contributions As from 6 th April 2014 the annual allowance is being reduced to GBP40,000 with the lifetime allowance being reduced from GBP1.5m to GBP1.25m. Taxpayers may wish to use the current GBP50,000 annual contribution currently in place before 5 April 2014.

AZURE TAX CONSULTING Pensions GBP144 per week flat rate pension announced earlier - ie GBP 7,488 per annum Single tier pensions from 2016 Public Sector pay more NI from 2016 Aligns NI for all, and to Income Tax. More NI will be collected.

AZURE TAX CONSULTING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES Annual property taxation (ATED -“Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings”) if owned by “non natural persons” effective April Capital gains introduced for gains arising after 6 th April 2013, ie for company owned by UK resident non doms Non UK dom Stamp duty 15% now GBP300,000 BVI Co GBP2m propertyInheritance tax saved 40% > GBP800,000

AZURE TAX CONSULTING Non UK Domiciles Remittance Basis Charge was increased to £50,000 in year 12 of UK Tax residence, last year. The tax free limit for a transfer to a non-Dom spouse will be increased from £55,000 to the nil rate threshold currently £325,000 for transfer on and after 6 April It will be possible for a non Dom individual with a UK Domiciled spouse or civil partner to elect to be treated as a UK Domiciled for IHT purposes. The earliest date is 6 th April 2013, and can later be back dated to this date.

AZURE TAX CONSULTING Inheritance Tax – Debt Deductions Currently, inheritance tax is charged on the value of a deceased estate or trust fund net of debts. The Chancellor has announced that a specific anti-assistance rule will be introduced for certain debt. Where debts have been taken out to purchase assets which are not subject to inheritance tax or is relieved from inheritance tax (such as business property, e.g. shares in trading companies or agricultural land ) this will not be allowable against other non- relievable or relevant property. The above rules will have significant consequences for many individuals and existing IHT planning arrangements I

AZURE TAX CONSULTING Stamp Duty Land Tax Rates (on full consideration paid) Residential Property Commercial Property in England and Wales 1%1% 3% 3% 4%4% 5%4% 7%+ 4% + 15% if bought by “non-natural” personas of 22 nd March 2012 ≥ £150,000 ≥ £250,000 ≥ £500,000 ≥ £1 M ≥ £2 M

FIRST BUY Equity Loan scheme Buyers of new build homes can get up to a 20% “equity” loan on the value of the purchase. To be repaid on sale. Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme also introduced for lenders who offer mortgages to people with a deposit of between 5% and 20%. For homes up to GBP600,000; and no income cap constraint

AZURE TAX CONSULTING Mini FATCA Disclosure facility for Channel Islands Automatic exchange of information re accounts owned by UK tax residents from 6 April 2013 to 30 September 2016 Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Jersey. For accounts as from 6 April 1999 and 31 December 2013 – disclosure facility – enables fixed penalty Includes UK settlors and beneficiaries of trusts, with undeclared UK taxes. Expected to raise GBP1bn or more

AZURE TAX CONSULTING Insurance Policies Fees charged by insurer may count in 5% withdrawal limit “RDR” Rules – ask for a Direct Fee charge by your Financial Adviser. The new SRT, from 6 April 2013, means if there is only a temporary non UK residence period (less than 5 yrs) Chargeable event comes into UK Income tax net in year of return to UK. Existing Offshore Personal Bond, if not endorsed to avoid S739 charge, has a 15% annual tax charge regardless of performance Basis of calculation of chargeable event or gain / time appointment relief changed.

AZURE TAX CONSULTING TOP UK TAX TIPS /2014 IHT - Annual gift value £3,000 CGT - Annual Exemption £10,900 Charitable donations for the Tax payer - up to 45% relief NI – no rates changed. New employment allowance will cancel out the first £2,000 of Employer Nil costs for every business and charity as from 6 April ISA’s £11,520 ( £5,760 in cash) VCT £200,000 (30% tax relief) EIS £500,000 (20% tax relief increased to 30% in Budget). (58% relief inc CGT) Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes extended for one year GBP50,000 pension contribution before 6 th April 2013 and 6 th April 2014.

Any Questions?