Higher Rate Income Tax
In a recent poll* half of respondents wrongly believed that, once you hit the higher rate income tax threshold, the 40% higher rate applies to ALL your earnings.
The Higher Rate Income Tax % actually only applies to your additional income over the basic tax rate band threshold.
For people with a standard Personal Allowance of £12,570 this means that income tax (2024/2025 rates) is charged at 20% for all earnings between £12,570 and £50,270; after which the earnings above that are taxed at the higher and additional rates.
Up to date details of the income tax bands and personal allowances can be found at www.gov.uk/income-tax-rates.
Many PAYE high earners need to file a tax return due to circumstances such as:
- If your adjusted net income is above £150,000.
- If you are a high earner entitled to tax relief due to pension auto-enrolment deductions.
- If you were not fully reimbursed by your employer relating
to:
- if you work from home
- on uniforms, work clothing and tools
- for vehicles you use for work
- on professional fees and subscriptions
- on travel and overnight expenses
- for buying other equipment
If you do not usually send a tax return, you need to register by 5th October following the tax year you had the income, so it is always wise to make an enquiry as soon as possible.
If you are unsure, about working out your tax due or how to correctly reclaim any tax relief, feel free to contact us here or email enquiries@mgaservices.co.uk to see what MG Accounting Service UK Ltd can do for you.
*Half the British public doesn’t understand income tax (taxpolicy.org.uk) 2024 poll from Tax Policy Associates and WeThink
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