Following on from this morning’s summaries on the key talking points from Budget 2016 for individuals and contractors, below we’ve summarised the key talking points for companies from Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s eighth full Budget.

Focusing on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), this is the final part in our article series on Budget 2016. To speak with us directly about this year’s Budget, or for anything else, our contact details are at the end of this article.

New Stamp Duty Rates for Commercial Properties

Coming into effect at midnight on 17 March/last night, the new stamp duty rates for commercial properties represent a complete overhaul in the way in which stamp duty on freehold commercial property and leasehold premium transactions is calculated.

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A boon for small and medium-sized business (SME) owners, under the new rules instead of stamp duty rates applying to the whole value of a commercial property, Mr. Osborne described how the new rates and tax bands will result in a 0% stamp duty rate for commercial property up to the value of £150,000, with a 2% rate applying for the portion of a commercial property’s value between £150,001 and £250,000, and a 5% rate applying for the portion above £250,000.

Business Rates Abolished for Properties With Value up to £12,000

We touched upon this in our key talking points for contractors summary, though it’s more relevant for companies than it is contractors. One of the biggest talking points from Budget 2016 was that of business rates being abolished for all business (commercial) properties with a rateable value up to £12,000, from April 2017. There will also be a ‘tapered’ relief rate on properties between £12,001 and £15,000.

With the current relief rate set at just £6,000, this poses a hugely beneficial increase for small businesses and contractors working from a commercial space. The government estimate that under the new rules 600,000 small businesses will pay no rates at all.

Employers to Pay National Insurance Contributions on Pay-Offs

If you have taken on employees at your SME, from April 2018 you will need to pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on any pay-offs (typically employee termination payments) you make above £30,000.

As is currently the case, should you have to make an employee’s position redundant that employee can receive a pay-off from you of up to £30,000 without you or they having to pay NICs on that amount.

Corporation Tax to Reduce to 17% by 2020

Though it’s a little while off yet, at yesterday’s Budget the Chancellor announced that Corporation Tax is due to drop from 20% to 17% by 2020.

Should this reduction come to fruition it will mark a particularly low Corporation Tax rate, given that it was 28% when the Conservatives came to power in 2010. At it’s current rate of 20%, the UK has the lowest Corporation Tax rate in the G20.

Understanding Budget 2016

To speak with a professional accountant to discuss the impact of Budget 2016 on your company, or for anything else, contact us today on 020 8780 2349 or get in touch with us via our contact page to arrange a complimentary, no obligation meeting.

If you’re an individual or contractor, you needn’t go to the trouble. Check out our pieces that are best suited to you:

Budget 2016: Key Takeways for Contractors

Budget 2016: Key Takeaways for Individiuals