Tax Tables

Table A
Allowances and Reliefs
  2008/09 2007/08
 
Allowed at top rate of tax    
Personal Allowance £5,435 £5,225
Personal Allowance (65-74)* 9,030 7,550
Personal Allowance (75 and over)* 9,180 7,690
Blind Person's Allowance 1,800 1,730
 
Allowed only at 10%    
Married Couple's Allowance (65-74)+* 6,535 6,285
Married Couple's Allowance (75 and over)+* 6,625 6,365
Income Limit for age-related allowances 21,800 20,900
 
+ only available if born before 6th April 1935.
* Age allowances are reduced £1 for every £2 by which income exceeds the income limit, until the age allowance is reduced to the normal allowance. Personal allowance is reduced before married couple's allowance. MCA is reduced to a minimum of £2,540 (2007/08: £2,440).
 
Bands 2008/09 2007/08
Starting * £2,230
Basic 36,000 32,370
Higher over 36,000 over 34,600
* Starting rate band within basic rate band for savings income only: £2,320.
 
Rates differ for General, Interest and Dividend income within each band:
Rates 2008/09   2007/08
  G I D   G I D
Starting N/A 10% 10%   10% 10% 10%
Basic 20% 20% 10%   22% 20% 10%
Higher 40% 40% 32.5%   40% 40% 32.5%
General income (salary, profit, rent) uses starting rate and basic rate bands before savings income. Dividends are taxed as the 'top slice' of income.
 
Table B
Pension Contributions
 
The maximum annual tax efficient gross contributions (up to age 75) in 2008/09 are:
- individuals:   £3,600 or 100% of earnings to £235,000
- employers:   £235,000 less employee contributions
Maximum tax efficient fund (lifetime allowance) where benefits are taken in 2008/09: £1.65m.
Only current earnings count for the 100% limit. It is no longer possible to use prior earnings or to carry back contributions to earlier years.
 
Table C
Benefits In Kind
 
Car Benefit Assessment 2008/09

Charge based on a percentage of the initial list price of the car; the percentage depends on the carbon dioxide emission ratings of the car, if it has one. For older cars without a rating, the percentage depends on engine capacity.

For 2008/09 the percentage for a petrol engine is 15% for ratings from 121g/km - 135g/km. The percentage increases by 1% for every complete 5g/km in excess of this (i.e. at 140,145 etc), to a maximum of 35%. Diesel cars have 3% added to this figure, but still have a maximum percentage of 35%.A new lower rate of 10% (13% diesel) is available for cars with a rating up to 120g/km.
 
Car Fuel Assessment

The benefit is calculated using the same percentage as that used for the car benefit, applied to a standard figure of £16,900 (2007/08: £14,400).

The taxable amount is therefore between £1,690 (10% - min.) and £5,915 (35% - max.).