Author: Glenn

The 18% and 28% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rates currently applied to carried interest gains remain unchanged for the current tax year. This charge applies to individuals who provide investment management services to funds and receive carried interest on which they are liable to pay CGT.

However, as announced in the recent Budget, these CGT rates will increase to a single, unified rate of 32% starting on 6 April 2025. Additionally, from April 2026, carried interest will be subject to a broader set of policy changes, with further details to be announced at a later date. These changes are part of a wider reform package targeting the tax treatment of carried interest.

The new Labour Government has committed to reforming this area of taxation. They believe that the current tax regime does not appropriately reflect the economic characteristics of carried interest and the level of risk assumed by fund managers.

According to HMRC, around 3,100 individuals in the investment management sector who receive carried interest and are subject to CGT will be affected. Those impacted will need to ensure they are aware of the new CGT rates on carried interest going forward.

Despite an appeal, the Courts recently found against Bolt in relation to their attempts to evade the statutory entitlements of their drivers to a minimum wage and holiday pay.  The ruling confirms that 10,000 Bolt drivers employed on what was erroneously conceived to be an ‘agency arrangement’ as freelance contractors are indeed entitled to minimum pay, sick leave and paid vacations.

Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, National Minimum Wage Act 1998, National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015, and the Working Time Regulations 1998, Bolt’s drivers were considered by the Courts to be ‘exclusive’ employees unless they also drove for other ride-hailing apps or were part of the ‘Link’ scheme.  Bolt’s contention of self-employment was refuted based on its contractual control over their livelihoods and the absence of any valid notion of ‘free agency’. The Courts gave Bolt a scathing rebuke for the fictional nature of its contract that sought to deny any employer-worker relationship with the drivers.

Once again, the attempt to cut costs and responsibilities by creating sham contracts inferring that long-term employees are part-time freelancers has backfired. This ruling reaffirms that such sham contracts are no longer acceptable in the UK and that any employers operating under this attempted abrogation of responsibilities will find themselves on thin ice at tribunals. If you are currently employing any staff on zero-hours contracts or on an extended contractual freelance basis, you are advised to seek legal advice.

Determining an acceptable level of pension income for retirement depends on individual circumstances, including lifestyle expectations, health, and financial commitments. However, several guidelines and studies provide benchmarks to assist in planning.

Retirement Living Standards

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) outlines three retirement living standards in the UK:

• Minimum Lifestyle: Covers essential needs with some social activities. As of 2024, a single person requires £14,400 annually, while a couple needs £22,400.
• Moderate Lifestyle: Offers more financial flexibility, including short-haul holidays and increased leisure activities. This standard suggests £31,300 per year for singles and £43,100 for couples.
• Comfortable Lifestyle: Allows for luxuries such as long-haul travel and a new car every five years. The recommended income is £43,100 annually for singles and £59,000 for couples.

Average Retirement Incomes

According to government data, the average weekly income for pensioners in 2023 was £267, equating to approximately £13,884 per year. This figure varies regionally, with higher living costs in areas like London potentially reducing disposable income.

Gender Disparities

Studies indicate a gender gap in retirement incomes. Women are projected to receive an average of £12,000 annually, compared to £17,000 for men. This 33% disparity highlights the need for targeted financial planning, especially for women.

Replacement Ratio

A common measure is the replacement ratio, which is the percentage of pre-retirement income needed to maintain lifestyle post-retirement. Typically, replacing 60% to 80% of pre-retirement income is recommended. However, the average retirement income often falls short of this benchmark, underscoring the importance of personalized retirement planning.

State Pension

The UK State Pension provides a foundational income. As of April 2024, the full new State Pension is £221.20 per week, totalling £11,502.40 annually. Eligibility depends on an individual’s National Insurance record, with 35 qualifying years required for the full amount.

Planning Considerations

To achieve a desired retirement income:

• Assess Lifestyle Needs: Determine the lifestyle you wish to maintain and estimate associated costs.
• Calculate Required Income: Use tools like the MoneyHelper pension calculator to estimate the income needed to support your desired lifestyle.
• Review Pension Savings: Evaluate your current pension savings and contributions to ensure they align with your retirement goals.
• Seek Professional Advice: Consulting a financial adviser can provide personalized strategies to optimize retirement income.

In summary, while benchmarks offer general guidance, an acceptable pension income is highly individual. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your retirement plan is essential to meet your specific needs and aspirations.

New proposals to crack down on subscription traps, have been unveiled by the Department for Business and Trade as the government launches a consultation on measures to make it easier for consumers to get a refund or cancel unwanted subscriptions.

“Subscription traps” are instances where consumers are frequently misled into signing up for a subscription through a “free trial” or reduced price offer. In some cases, if the consumer does not cancel the trial within a set amount of time, they are often automatically transferred to a costly subscription payment plan.

It comes as new figures reveal consumers are spending billions of pounds each year on unwanted subscriptions due to unclear terms and conditions and complicated cancellation routes. Nearly 10 million of 155 million active subscriptions in the UK are unwanted, costing consumers £1.6 billion a year.

Subscriptions can be for anything from magazines to beauty boxes, with many subscriptions having complicated or inconvenient cancellation processes such as phone lines with long waits and restrictive opening hours that can leave consumers feeling trapped.

The consultation sets out proposals to make the refunds and cancellation processes simpler, with a requirement on retailers for greater transparency on their subscription programmes in a way that is proportionate to balance consumer rights without placing unnecessary burdens on businesses.

Capital allowances enable businesses to claim tax relief on certain capital expenditures. Different rules apply to various types of capital expenditure, and the amount you can claim depends on the specific capital allowance you use. If an item is eligible for more than one type of capital allowance, you can choose which to apply.

The main capital allowances currently available are:

• Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) – The AIA is available to all businesses (companies, sole-traders and partnerships) regardless of size. The AIA allows businesses to write off 100% of the cost of qualifying Plant & Machinery (P&M), up to the allowed maximum, against taxable profits. You can claim up to £1 million on qualifying purchases.
• Full expensing and 50% First Year Allowances – The full expensing measure currently applies from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2026 and allows companies to claim 100% capital allowances on qualifying plant and machinery investments. Under full expensing, for every pound a company invests, their taxes will be cut by up to 25p. For “special rate” expenditure, which does not qualify for full expensing, a 50% FYA can be claimed instead. 
• Writing down allowances – For P&M expenditure that exceeds the AIA or does not qualify for a FYA. You can claim these allowances if your plant and machinery does not qualify for AIA, or you have already claimed the maximum amount. This relief is based on the cost of the items in the year they are acquired. A standard 18% writing down allowance is available on qualifying assets. There is a lower rate of 6% available for certain long-life assets and integral features.