* Age allowances are reduced £1 for every £2 by which income exceeds the income limit, until the age allowance is reduced to the normal allowance. Personal allowance is reduced before married couple's allowance. MCA is reduced to a minimum of £2,540 (2007/08: £2,440).
Bands
2008/09
2007/08
Starting
*
£2,230
Basic
36,000
32,370
Higher
over 36,000
over 34,600
* Starting rate band within basic rate band for savings income only: £2,320.
Rates differ for General, Interest and Dividend income within each band:
Rates
2008/09
2007/08
G
I
D
G
I
D
Starting
N/A
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
Basic
20%
20%
10%
22%
20%
10%
Higher
40%
40%
32.5%
40%
40%
32.5%
General income (salary, profit, rent) uses starting rate and basic rate bands before savings income. Dividends are taxed as the 'top slice' of income.
Table B
Pension Contributions
The maximum annual tax efficient gross contributions (up to age 75) in 2008/09 are:
- individuals:
£3,600 or 100% of earnings to £235,000
- employers:
£235,000 less employee contributions
Maximum tax efficient fund (lifetime allowance) where benefits are taken in 2008/09: £1.65m.
Only current earnings count for the 100% limit. It is no longer possible to use prior earnings or to carry back contributions to earlier years.
Table C
Benefits In Kind
Car Benefit Assessment 2008/09
Charge based on a percentage of the initial list price of the car; the percentage depends on the carbon dioxide emission ratings of the car, if it has one. For older cars without a rating, the percentage depends on engine capacity.
For 2008/09 the percentage for a petrol engine is 15% for ratings from 121g/km - 135g/km. The percentage increases by 1% for every complete 5g/km in excess of this (i.e. at 140,145 etc), to a maximum of 35%. Diesel cars have 3% added to this figure, but still have a maximum percentage of 35%.A new lower rate of 10% (13% diesel) is available for cars with a rating up to 120g/km.
Car Fuel Assessment
The benefit is calculated using the same percentage as that used for the car benefit, applied to a standard figure of £16,900 (2007/08: £14,400).
The taxable amount is therefore between £1,690 (10% - min.) and £5,915 (35% - max.).
