Budget 2021: Rishi Sunak FREEZES income tax thresholds hitting millions of hard-working Brits

MILLIONS of hard-working Brits will be hit by a stealth tax rise from today’s Budget.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a freeze to income tax thresholds, meaning Brits will no longer benefit from planned increases to the amount that can be earned tax-free.

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Brits will lose out on hundreds of pounds over the next four yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

In his Budget today, Mr Sunak said the tax-free personal allowance – the amount you can earn before paying tax – will rise as planned from April 2021 but then stay at that rate until April 2026.

For basic rate taxpayers the threshold will be held at £12,570 and £50,270 for higher rate tax payers.

Although Mr Sunak stopped short of increasing taxes, a freeze to these thresholds is essentially a pay cut, once you take into account the rate of inflation.

He also confirmed today:

Mr Sunak said: “Nobody’s take home pay will be less than it is now, as a result of this policy.

“But I want to be clear with all Members that this policy does remove the incremental benefit created had thresholds continued to increase with inflation.

“We are not hiding it, I am here, explaining it to the House and it is in the Budget document in black and white. It is a tax policy that is progressive and fair.”

Basic rate tax payers pay 20% on earnings over the lower threshold, while higher rate payers are charged 40% above the top threshold.

What is the personal allowance?

THE personal allowance is an amount you can earn each year tax-free.

In the current tax year running from 6 April 2020 to 5 April 2021, that amount is £12,500.

You then pay between 20%-45% income tax depending on how much you earn.

Low earners: If you earn £12,500 or less, you pay no income tax
Basic rate: If you earn £12,501 to £50,000, you pay 20% tax
Higher rate: If you earn £50,001 to £150,000, you pay 40% tax
Additional rate: If you earn £150,000 or more, you pay 45% tax

Just keep in mind your personal allowance might be different if you’re entitled to certain allowances or earn a lot of money.

The marriage allowance is a tax break where one partner in a married couple can transfer some of their unused personal allowance to another.

And people with sight issues can get the blind person’s allowance which increases this tax-free amount.

And anyone who earns over £125,000 doesn’t get any tax-free personal allowance – they will pay income tax on everything they earn.

The Government had previously set out plans for the thresholds to increase in line with inflation.

This would have taken the personal allowance to £13,310 and the higher rate tax threshold to £53,410 by the end of the current parliament in 2024.

The thresholds for income tax generally rise each year so that people can earn more without paying more tax.

It means someone on a £30,000 a year salary will pay £14 a month more in 2021/22.

Without the rises, it’s estimated the average working family is missing out on £250 a year by 2024, or £150 for a single basic-rate taxpayer.

The freeze is expected to bring in around £6billion a year for the Treasury as it looks to cover the cost of coronavirus support.

John Ellmore, UK director of personal finance firm NerdWallet, said the income tax freeze could leave millions effectively paying more tax.

He added: “And with the Chancellor set to launch consultations into further tax hikes on March 23, there are many who will be understandably nervous about the future of their finances.”