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Autumn Budget 2021 – Alcohol and Tobacco Duty

As part of the Budget measures the Chancellor announced, to a big cheer, that the planned duty rates on beers, spirits, wines and ciders expected to come into effect from midnight on Budget Day will be cancelled.

The Chancellor also announced major changes to the current duty system are expected to be introduced from 1 February 2023. This will result in a reduction in the number of main alcohol duty rates from fifteen to six with stronger drinks attracting higher rates. The changes will also fix anomalies. For example, sparkling wine currently attracts higher duty rates than still wines of equivalent strength. The Chancellor also announced proposals for a new Small Producer Relief to help encourage small, innovative craft producers.

The duty rates on tobacco products were increased by 2% above the rate of inflation (based on RPI) effective from 6pm on 27 October 2021. The Chancellor also announced that the duty for hand-rolling tobacco will increase by an additional 6% above RPI and the Minimum Excise Tax (MET) by 3% above RPI at the same time. The government is committed to maintaining high tobacco duty rates as a tool to reduce smoking.

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Breaking even – checking the numbers

In previous newsfeeds we have described how you can calculate the level of turnover you need to create in order to meet all your costs whether they be fixed costs (rent, rates etc.,) or variable costs (goods you need to buy to convert into goods you sell).

For example, if your fixed costs are £50,000 per annum and your variable costs are 25% of your turnover, the annual turnover you need to breakeven will be £200,000. The formula is:

Annual fixed costs divided by 25 (the gross profit)

Bereavement Support Payment

The amount of Bereavement Support Payment you can claim will depend on your relationship to the person who died and when you make your claim.

Your payments will be paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

If you were married or in a registered civil partnership with the person who died

If you were receiving Child Benefit when your partner died (or did not get it but were entitled to it), you will get the higher rate.

This is made up of:

a first payment of £3,500;

Tax codes for employees

The P9X form is used to notify employers of the tax codes to use for employees. The latest version of the form has been published and shows the tax codes to use from 6 April 2023. The form states that the basic personal allowance for the tax year starting 6 April 2023 will, as expected, be £12,570 (£12,570 in 2022-23) and this means that the tax code for emergency use will remain at 1257L.

The basic rate limit will be £37,700 (£37,700 in 2022-23) except for those defined as Scottish taxpayers

Properties not let at commercial rates

There are special rules where a property is let at less than a commercial rate or isn’t let on commercial terms. These rules also apply if a property is occupied rent free or at less than a commercial rate, for example, a property is occupied by a family member at a reduced or nil rent.

In these circumstances, HMRC can take the view that unless the landlord charges a full market rent for a property and imposes normal market lease conditions, it is unlikely that the expenses of the property are

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