Late tax payment interest rate rise

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 2 February 2023 and voted 6-3 in favour of raising interest rates by 50 basis points to 4% in a move to try and continue to tackle upward pressures on inflation. This is the tenth time in a row that the MPC has increased interest rates with rates now the highest they have been since November 2008.

This means that the late payment interest rate applied to the main taxes and duties that HMRC charges interest on increases by 0.5% to 6.50%.

These changes will come into effect on:

  • 13 February 2023 for quarterly instalment payments
  • 21 February 2023 for non-quarterly instalments payments

The repayment interest rates applied to the main taxes and duties that HMRC pays interest on will increase by 0.5% to 3% from 21 February 2023. The repayment rate is set at the Bank Rate minus 1%, with a 0.5% lower limit.

Gaps in your National Insurance record

National Insurance credits can help qualifying applicants to fill gaps in their National Insurance record. This can assist taxpayers to build up the number of qualifying years of National Insurance contributions which can increase the amount of benefits a person is entitled to, such as the State Pension.

This could happen if someone was:

  • employed but had low earnings;
  • unemployed and were not claiming benefits;
  • self-employed but did not pay contributions because of small profits; or
  • living or working outside the UK.

National Insurance credits are available in certain situations where people are not working and therefore, not paying National Insurance credits. For example, credits may be available to those looking for work, who are ill, disabled or on sick pay, on maternity or paternity leave, caring for someone or on jury service.

Depending on the circumstances, National Insurance credits may be applied automatically or an application for credits may be required. There are two types of National Insurance credits available, either Class 1 or Class 3. Class 3 credits count towards the State Pension and certain bereavement benefits whilst Class 1 covers these as well as other benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Taxpayers may be able to pay voluntary contributions to fill any gaps if they are eligible.

Tax Diary March/April 2023

1 March 2023 – Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 31 May 2022.

2 March 2023 – Self-Assessment tax for 2021-22 paid after this date will incur a 5% surcharge unless liabilities are cleared by 1 April 2023, or an agreement has been reached with HMRC under their time to pay facility by the same date.

19 March 2023 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 March 2023 (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 March 2023).

19 March 2023 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 March 2023.

19 March 2023 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 March 2023 is payable by today.

1 April 2023 – Due date for Corporation Tax due for the year ended 30 June 2022.

19 April 2023 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 April 2023. (If you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 April 2023).

19 April 2023 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 April 2023.

19 April 2023 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 April 2023 is payable by today.

30 April 2023 – 2021-22 tax returns filed after this date will be subject to an additional £10 per day late filing penalty for a maximum of 90 days.