Income tax


Income Tax Allowances

2012-13 2011-12

2010-11

Personal Allowance (1)

£8,105 £7,475

£6,475

Income limit for Personal Allowance

£100,000 £100,000

£100,000

Personal Allowance for people aged 65-74 (1)(2)

£10,500 £9,940

£9,490

Personal Allowance for people aged 75 and over (1)(2)

£10,660 £10,090

£9,640

Married Couple’s Allowance (born before 6th April 1935 but aged under 75) (2)(3)(4)

  Not applicable

Not applicable

Married Couple's Allowance (born before 6th April 1935 and aged 75 and over (2)(3) £7,705 £7,295 £6,965

Income limit for age-related allowances

£25,400 £24,000

£22,900

Minimum amount of Married Couple’s Allowance

£2,960 £2,800

£2,670

Blind Person’s Allowance

£2,100 £1,980

£1,890

(1) From the 2010-11 tax year the Personal Allowance reduces where the income is above £100, 000 - by £1 for every £2 of income above the £100,000 limit. This reduction applies irrespective of age.

(2) These allowances reduce where the income is above the income limit - by £1 for every £2 of income above the limit. For the 2008-09 and 2009-10 tax years they will never be less than the basic Personal Allowance or minimum amount of Married Couple's Allowance. However, from the 2010-11 tax year the Personal Allowance for people aged 65 to 74 and 75 and over can be reduced below the basic Personal Allowance where the income is above £100,000.

(3) Tax relief for the Married Couple's Allowance is given at the rate of 10 per cent.

 

Income Tax Rates and Taxable Bands

2012-13 2011-12

2010-11

Starting rate for savings: 10%*

£2,710 £0-£2,560

£0-£2,440

Basic rate: 20%

£0-£34,370 £0-£35,000

£0-£37,400

Higher Rate: 40%

£34,371-£150,000 £35,001-£150,000

£37,401-£150,000

Additional rate: 50%

Over £150,000 Over £150,000

Over £150,000

 

* From 2008-09 there is a 10 per cent starting rate for savings income only. If your non-savings income is above this limit then the 10 per cent starting rate for savings will not apply.

The rates available for dividends for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 tax years are the 10 per cent ordinary rate and the 32.5 per cent dividend upper rate. For the 2010-11 tax year, as well as these rates there is a new dividend additional rate of 42.5 per cent. These rates will stay the same for the 2012-13 tax year.