Linked In members will no doubt be aware that there was a budget last week. No prizes if you can remember the most noteworthy tax giveaways.
As expected, Brexit uncertainties continue to impede the normal running of government. Mr Hammond was keen to point out that thanks to the hard work of the British people he was in a position to ease back on austerity, and then proceeded to offer little substance in settlement of his promise.
If you are a basic rate taxpayer, the increase in the personal allowance will add £2.50 a week to your take home pay after 5 April 2019.
If you are a higher rate taxpayer earning £50,000 a year, the increase in the personal allowance and the upward shift in the basic rate band, will reduce your weekly tax bill from April 2019 by approximately £16 a week.
There were welcome cuts to business rates for small retailers in England and promises to spruce up inner city areas to encourage shoppers to close their browsers and revisit the High Street.
Largess was in evidence for businesses in the form of an upward shift in the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), from the present £200,000 to £1m for a two year period from 1 January 2019. The AIA allows businesses that invest in qualifying equipment to write off 100% of the cost against their business profits.
Whether businesses will be encouraged to invest up to a million pounds is another matter. There is the spectre of a no-deal Brexit hovering in the background and is it really prudent to lash out on new equipment in the face of the uncertainties that this impasse affords?
All in all, not the most memorable budget.
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