Rates and Allowances

Income Tax Allowances Table 

(go to National Insurance Table)

Income tax allowances
2007-08
     (£)
2008-09 
     (£)
Personal allowance
5,225
5,435
Personal allowance for people aged 65-74 (1)
7,550
9,030
Personal allowance for people aged 75 and over (1)
7,690
9,180

Married couple's allowance (born before 6th April 1935 but aged under 75) (1) (2)

6,285 6,535

Married couple's allowance - aged 75 and over (1) (2)

6,365 6,625
Income limit for age-related allowances
20,900
21,800
Minimum amount of married couple's allowance
2,440
2,540
Blind person's allowance
1,730
1,800

(1) - These allowances reduce where the income is above the income limit by £1 for every £2 of income above the limit. They will never be less than the basic Personal allowance or minimum amount of Married Couple’s allowance.

(2) - Tax relief for the Married Couple's allowance is given at the rate of 10 per cent.

Taxable Bands

The Chancellor announces the taxable bands and the rates of tax at the Budget Report which precedes the start of the tax year to which they relate. Generally speaking, Budget takes place in March.

Income Tax: taxable bands
2007-08 £ per year 2008-09 £ per year
Starting rate: 10% £0-£2,230    
Basic rate:22% £2,231-£34,600 Basic rate: 20%* £0-£36,000
Higher rate: 40% Over £34, 600 Higher rate: 40%* Over £36,000

* There will be a new 10% starting rate for savings income only, with a limit of £2320. If an individual’s taxable non-savings income is above this limit then the 10% savings rate will not be applicable. There are no changes to the 10% dividend ordinary rate or the 32.5% dividend upper rate.

 

Rates and Allowances

National Insurance Contributions

(Back to Income Tax Rates)

£ per week
2007-08
2008-09
Lower earnings limit, primary Class 1
£87
£90
Upper earnings limit, primary Class 1
£670
£770
Primary threshold
£100
£105
Secondary threshold
£100
£105
Employees’ primary Class 1 rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit
11%
11%
Employees’ primary Class 1 rate above upper earnings limit
1%
1%
Employees’ contracted-out rebate
1.6%
1.6%
Married women’s reduced rate between primary threshold and upper earnings limit
4.85%
4.85%
Married women’s rate above upper earnings limit
1%
1%
Employers’ secondary Class 1 rate above secondary threshold
12.8%
12.8%
Employers’ contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes
3.7%
3.7%
Employers’ contracted-out rebate, money-purchase schemes
1.4%
1.4%
Class 2 rate
£2.20
£2.30
Class 2 small earnings exception
£4,635 per year
£4,825 per year
Special Class 2 rate for share fishermen
£2.85
£2.95
Special Class 2 rate for volunteer development workers
£4.35
£4.50
Class 3 rate
£7.80
£8.10
Class 4 lower profits limit
£5, 225 per year
£5, 435 per year
Class 4 upper profits limit
£34, 840 per year
£40, 040 per year
Class 4 rate between lower profits limit and upper profits limit
8%
8%
Class 4 rate above upper profits limit
1%
1%