Startacus
Join Now! /

Small businesses, freelancers & contractors: How the 2015 Budget affects you

Startacus RSS

by Startacus Admin

UK budget 2015 Today’s UK Budget recognised the importance of the self-employed workforce to the British economy.

So we asked Crunch Accounting to share the key points on how the 2015 Budget affects Small businesses, freelancers & contractors.


"Today’s Budget recognised the importance of the self-employed workforce to the British economy and reflected the needs of this demographic through reforms and cuts that could change the way Britain does business. 

Here are the top highlights for small businesses, freelancers and contractors:

Self-Assessment tax return reforms

The government plan to simplify tax administration by getting rid of the annual tax return. This will make tax simpler by enabling tax and NICs to be collected through digital accounts instead of the annual self-assessment. self assessment reforms

Check out this post by Crunch to see how the loss of the Self-Assessment could affect you. 

Abolition of Class 2 National Insurance Contributions  

There are plans for Class 2 NICs to be abolished in the next Parliament. Class 4 will also be reformed to introduce a new contributory benefit test. 

Rise in Personal Allowance

The Personal Allowance will rise from £10,600 is 2015-16 to £10,800 in 2016-17 and £11,000 in 2017-18.

The 40% income tax threshold is also set to rise above inflation from £42,385 to £43,300 in 2017-18. 

Review of Business Rates

A review of Business Rates has been launched. The government also plan to pilot schemes that reward additional Business Rates growth. 

Local Authorities are also being encouraged to use their business rates relief powers to support the sharing economy, which includes shared workspaces and makerspaces.  

Improved access to finance and markets

The government aim to unlock the potential of the sharing economy, improve access to finance and boost exports. The Budget 2015 also announced funding for trade budget 2015 for self employedmissions, focused on regional strengths.

The British Business Bank is looking for proposals to support its Help to Grow scheme, which will make growth finance more available. Alongside this, the government will do more to inform SMEs about the support already available, as well as their options for accessing finance.

Better education and support for SMEs

SMEs will be given better information on how to access and use legal services. This information will be included on budget 2015 for self employedthe Citizens Advice and the GREAT business websites. 

£4 million will be provided to extend the existing Skills Investment Fund for a further two years, which will go towards match funding for training and development in film, television, visual effects, video games and animation."

Cheers Crunch for the all important key points. 



Subscribe to our newsletter

If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Startacus RSS
Business DealsSubmit Your Startup
Win TicketsNetwork and Collaborate
Our Latest Features



Published on: 18th March 2015

If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.


Create an Idea!View Other Ideas, Projects or Startups
Why not Sign Up?
Create Projects
Edit Projects
Self Interviews
Self Starter of the Year
Product Giveaways
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Startacus
Check us out at our Google+ page!