Martyn Dobinson, Partner at Saffery Champness chartered accountants, speculates on what rural and farm businesses might expect from the Autumn Budget.

The next Budget from Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected in October/November. There had been talk about a delay until the Covid-19 crisis was over, but that looks increasingly unlikely writes Martyn Dobinson.

Speculation is mounting as to how the Chancellor might start to recoup the substantial outlays over the last six months and staunch the haemorrhaging of public finances.

No sector is likely to remain unscathed, the farming and rural sector included, and those that are asset rich, in terms of property or pensions particularly, may well be in the firing line when the Chancellor’s plans come to light.

It’s unlikely, but not impossible, that the government would go against the main pledges in its election manifesto. I doubt we’ll see changes to basic tax, National Insurance, or VAT rates, other than reversion of the temporarily reduced VAT rate, but we are in extraordinary circumstances. The current reduced five per cent VAT rate for certain hospitality, accommodation and attraction entrance supplies will revert to 20 per cent in January 2021.

South West Farmer:

Martyn Dobinson 

Hitting the average working person with increased income tax or NI would, of course, impact key and frontline workers, something I’m sure the Chancellor will be keen to avoid.

We could see a reform of pension tax relief, potentially with a single, lower rate of tax relief on pension contributions.

An increase in Corporation Tax would challenge many incorporated farming businesses already struggling with reduced harvest yields and poor sales. Those with diversified interests, such as tourism, have had little time to recover and, whilst there is a lot of talking up of the ‘staycation’ market, we are moving into autumn and the end of the significantly curtailed holiday season is looming.

It has been suggested that Corporation Tax could be increased from 19 per cent to 24 per cent. However, many rural businesses are yet to feel the full impact of Covid-19, never mind Brexit, so this could really be the wrong time to further challenge an already pressured sector.

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A new wealth tax is something else being touted by commentators, but would a Conservative government realistically look to introduce such a measure? The Prime Minister himself has been critical of such a proposal. Many, including the retired, are asset rich, but relatively cash poor and without the income with which to pay such a tax. Yields from similar schemes in other countries have been relatively poor.

Reform of Capital Gains Tax is a threat and there has been a clear direction of travel on CGT in recent times, with various reliefs reduced and restricted. The Chancellor has asked the Office of Tax Simplification to look at the CGT regime, but his Autumn Budget will likely come too soon for any wholesale reform from the OTS.

That’s not to say that there couldn’t be a change in rate. CGT rates are very low, and many quarters believe that there will be alignment with Income Tax rates – an increase from 20 per cent (or 28 per cent on the sale of second homes, for example) to 40 per cent CGT, for higher rate tax payers.

Others think that a rate increase could actually result in a decrease in CGT take, as otherwise willing sellers are deterred, or that rumours of a rate increase are intended to accelerate capital sales, and CGT receipts thereon.

CGT is a major consideration in tax planning for our rural clients, particularly in terms of land sales, ownership structures and generational succession. Any changes to the CGT regime will have a significant impact on land-based businesses.

The OTS has already looked at, and made recommendations on, possible simplification of the Inheritance Tax regime, thus far without any action. There is increasing pressure, including that from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Inheritance and Intergenerational Fairness, for a radical reform of IHT. We could see some tightening of the rules around Agricultural and Business Property Relief. However, the value of those reliefs in inter-generational succession, and in protecting family businesses, has been widely acknowledged.

It will be an incredibly difficult balancing act. In addition to paying the Covid-19 bill, Mr Sunak will want to stimulate the economy and avoid a swathe of unemployment once the Job Retention Scheme and other support measures end. Economic recovery will need to be paramount.