The individual taxpayer was very much the focus of Mr. Hunt’s speech, and he dedicated a substantial amount of his time to outlining new tax measures that would focus on putting more money into the hands of working families.
However, to fund this, the Chancellor announced that those with broader shoulders would have to bear the expense.
With this preface, he announced that the current non-dom tax rules would be replaced with a new residence-based regime.
The new regime will be implemented from 6 April 2025 and will introduce a transitional process for existing non-doms to move them on to the new system. The Government also plans to shift towards a residence-based system for Inheritance Tax (IHT).
This, and the cushion provided by higher Treasury revenues due to fiscal drag, meant that the Chancellor could once again cut National Insurance Contributions for employees and self-employed workers.
From 6 April 2024, the Government will reduce the primary rate of Class 1 employee National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from ten per cent to eight per cent.
Additionally, it will implement an extra 2p reduction in the main rate for self-employed National Insurance, adding to the 1p reduction announced in the Autumn Statement.
Consequently, starting from 6 April 2024, the primary rate of Class 4 NICs for self-employed individuals will decrease from nine per cent to six per cent.
Reforms to the High Income Child Benefit Charge will also see the thresholds based on total household income, rather than the highest earner.
Meanwhile, the current £50,000 threshold will increase to £60,000 from April 2024 as taxpayers transition to the new system. The rate of the charge will also be halved so that Child Benefit is not repaid in full until you earn £80,000.