Types of Tax in UK

Main types of tax in the UK

1. Income tax – This a tax on people’s income. The basic rate of income tax is 20%, paid on income over the income tax threshold of £10,400.
2. National insurance contributions. Another type of income tax is national insurance contributions, which are based on a similar principle of taking a certain percentage of income.
3. Consumption tax –  VAT – 17.5%
4. Excise duties on alcohol, tobacco
5. Corporation tax – tax on company profit
6. Stamp duty – tax on buying houses / shares

Income tax rates in the UK

Basic rate 20%	£0 to £31,865 Most people start paying basic rate tax on income over £10,000
Higher rate 40%	£31,866 to £150,000 Most people start paying higher rate tax on income over £41,865
Additional rate 45%	Over £150,000

How much is income tax?

Example, if your income is £40,000 of taxable income

• You pay 0% on your Personal Allowance of £10,000.
• You pay 20% on the income from £10,000 to £31,866 (21,866) = £4,372.20
• You pay 40% on income between £31,866 to £40,000  – £8,134 = £3,253
• Total tax – £7,625
• average tax rate 19%

Progressive tax

This is a tax that when income rises people pay a higher % of their income in tax e.g. top rate of income tax is 40%. This is paid on earnings over £40,000 a year.

Regressive tax

This occurs when an increase in income leads to a smaller % of their income going on the tax. E.G excise duties. A regressive tax means those on low incomes pay a higher % of tax.

Proportional tax

This occurs when an increase in income leads to the same % increase in tax.

Types of equity

• Horizontal equity: The equal treatment of people in the same situation
• Vertical equity : The redistribution from the better off to the worse off in the case of taxes this means the rich paying proportionately more taxes than the poor

The requirements of a good tax system

1. Horizontal Equity. I.e. those in the same circumstances should pay the same taxes
2. Vertical Equity. A degree of proportionality is important
3. Cheap to collect
4. Difficult to evade
5. Efficient, Non distortion e.g. if taxes are too high people may be put off working
6. Easy to understand

Reasons for tax

1. Raise revenue
2. Promote redistribution of income and wealth
3. Discourse consumption / production of goods with negative externalities or demerit goods

Negative Income Tax

This is a progressives system of tax and benefits designed to reduce relative poverty. Those on low incomes are a given benefits, as income increases, the benefit decreases . After a certain level of income people will start paying tax.

Examples of tax

• Carbon tax - environment tax on CO2 pollution