The Chancellor announced that he was going to be tough but fair
in the budget today.
Everyone will have their own views on this. In particular public
sector workers, who will feel most hard done by.
The main points for businesses and business owners are:
1. VAT is up to 20% from January next year.
2. Capital gains tax for higher earners will be up to 28% from
midnight tonight (so stilll time to act!). When dealing with
trustees and personal representatives care needs to be taken when
considering in whose hands any gains are realised.
3. Entreprenuers' Relief for business assets (most
significantly 5% or more shareholdings in trading companies)
reducing CGT to 10% will remain and in fact will apply to the first
£5m of gains realised over the seller's lifetime.