Tax and benefit changes 2015/16

Here are the major changes that come into force on 6th April.

The 2015/16 tax year begins on 6th April and that means a raft of changes to both taxes and benefits.

Here’s a round-up of the major changes that will affect our finances.

Income Tax

The tax-free personal allowance will increase from £10,000 to £10,600. This will also be the first year people born between 6th April 1938 and 5th April 1948 will have the same allowance as working age people, as their allowance has only risen by £100.

The higher rate (40%) tax threshold is increasing to £42,385.

And the starting rate of Income Tax on savings will be cut from 10% to 0% on savings income of up to £5,000.

The new couple's allowance means people who are married or in a civil partnership can transfer up to £1,060 of their tax-free allowance to their partner, but only if both partners don’t pay more than the basic rate of Income Tax.

And the married couple’s allowance, which is only available if one partner was born before 6th April 1935, is increased to a maximum of £8,355 and a minimum of £3,220.

National Insurance

The Class 2 rate of contributions is increasing from £2.75 a week to £2.80. The Class 3 rate is increasing from £13.90 a week to £14.10.

Tax Credits and Child Benefit

Elements of the Working Tax Credit are increasing, but only by small amounts, in line with Government policy.

Meanwhile, the childcare element is frozen at £175 per week for one child and £300 per week for two or more children.

In terms of Child Tax Credits, the family element is frozen at £545 a year.

But there are small changes to other elements.

Child Benefit is increasing by just 20p a week to £20.70 for the first child and by 15p a week to £13.70 for second and subsequent children. Meanwhile, guardian’s allowance is increasing by 20p a week to £16.55.

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ISA allowances

The tax-free annual ISA allowance will increase from £15,000 to £15,240. In addition, the Junior ISA annual allowance is increasing from £4,000 to £4,080.

The Child Trust Fund allowance is also increasing to £4,080, although you will be able to switch Child Trust Funds into Junior ISAs from 6th April.

State Pension

The Basic State Pension is increasing by 2.5%, or £2.85 a week, to a maximum of £115.95 a week. The maximum amount pensioners on low incomes can receive with the addition of the standard minimum guarantee of Pension Credit is £151.20 for a single person or £230.85 for a couple.

Tax on pension lump sums

If you decided to withdraw your pension in one go under new pension freedoms coming into force, from 6th April it will be taxed at your marginal rate of Income Tax (eg 20%, 40% or 45%) rather than at 55% as was the case before.

Tax on inherited pensions

Tax on inherited pensions is being scrapped if the pension holder dies before they reach 75.

Maternity and paternity pay

The statutory rate of maternity and paternity pay is increasing from £138.18 to £139.58 a week.

Air Passenger Duty

Children under the age of 12 won’t have to pay Air Passenger Duty on economy class tickets from 1st May.

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