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OTS calls on gov't to scrap 10% tax rate for 500,000 savers
by Alex Steger on Jan 24, 2013 at 07:47
More than half a million savers, the majority of whom are pensioners, should pay more tax, according to the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS), has reported.
The OTS has argued that the 10% tax rate paid on some savings income should be scrapped so that all such income is taxed at 20%, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The 10p rate applies to the first £2,710 of income from savings of low earners and was left in place in 2008 ‘to encourage savers’ after Gordon Brown scrapped the 10p rate of income tax.
However, the OTS found that the 10p rate was little understood and added unnecessary complexity to the tax rules. As a result, it should be abolished, it said.
According to the Telegraph the change would cost 525,000 savers, most of them pensioners, an average of £90 a year, or £5 million in total.
The OTS has proposed that in exchange for this the annual limits in tax-free Individual Savings Accounts should be increased for all savers.
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Commission calls for jail for reckless bankers
by Michelle Abrego on Jun 19, 2013 at 07:49
3 comments so far. Why not have your say?
John Housden
Jan 24, 2013 at 08:35
HMRC's stats (for 2010/11) suggest that £86m was collected from 10% tax on savings income - see http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-statistics/table2-6.pdf.
report thisGerry Duffy
Jan 24, 2013 at 12:12
525,000 at an average of £90 each = £5M?
Suggest you check copy before printing. It just undermines confidence in the rest of the article when you don't.
report thisKeith Cobby
Jan 24, 2013 at 15:41
I agree with this in principle. Income tax should be levied at a flat rate and the tax on unearned income, interest, dividends and CGT should be at the same rate.
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