HMRC is set to stop making payments to postcard accounts in April, with thousands of customers still having to switch to avoid missing vital payments.
The changes come into effect on April 5, which means customers must notify HMRC of their new account details.
Clients can choose to receive their benefit payments in a bank account, from a building society, or from a credit union. If they already have another account, they can contact HMRC now to update their details.
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If a customer misses the deadline, their payments will be suspended until the customer advises HMRC of their new details.
The ruling is one of many new laws that will take effect from April, with VED rates, divorce laws and wages all among the changes.
Some of the other changes that may affect you can be found below:
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VED rates increase, meaning increased vehicle tax from April 2022
From April 2022, the vehicle excise duty (or car tax) will increase in line with the retail price index inflation measure from April 2022. However, the increased cost will depend on your vehicle’s emissions.
For example, if your car is CO2-free, your car tax will remain at £0. If your car’s CO2 emissions are between 1 and 50g per km, your standard car tax rate will increase from £155 to £165, but your first year rate will still be £10. The amount you pay also depends on how often you want to make a payment. There is a 5% surcharge if you pay monthly or every six months.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) carries out monthly computer tests to check whether owners of cars registered in the UK have paid tax. If the system flags an untaxed vehicle that is not declared SORN (not on the road), the DVLA will issue an £80 fine to the owner. If this is paid within 28 days, a 50% discount must be applied.
New divorce laws will come into effect from April 6, 2022
On April 6, changes to divorce laws will come into effect. The changes are part of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which aims to reduce the potential for conflict between divorced couples by:
removing the possibility of making allegations about the conduct of a spouse allowing couples to end their marriage together
The law also introduces a minimum period of 20 weeks between the start of the procedure and the request for a conditional order. This provides couples with a meaningful period of reflection and the opportunity to reconsider.
Where divorce is inevitable, it allows couples to cooperate and plan for the future. It will also no longer be possible to challenge a divorce, except on limited grounds, including jurisdiction.
It should be noted that as new changes are made, the current online service will be unavailable from March 31, 2022. You can read more about this here on the government website.
Employers will have to raise wages paid to some workers
Changes to the minimum wage are in preparation. The Low Pay Commission has made recommendations to the UK government on what the minimum wage and living wage should be for 2022.
The UK government has accepted these recommendations and from 1 April 2022 it will be open to employers to pay their staff at least the new rates. New living wage and minimum wage rates from April 2022 are available on gov.uk.
New tax on plastic packaging
A new “plastic packaging levy” will come into force in April 2022 and will apply to all plastic packaging made in the UK, or imported into the UK, that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic . The government has defined plastic packaging as “predominantly plastic packaging by weight” and says the new tax will not apply to any plastic packaging that contains at least 30% recycled plastic or any packaging that is not not predominantly plastic by weight.
Imported plastic packaging will be subject to the tax whether filled or unfilled. The government says the new tax aims to ‘provide a clear economic incentive for businesses to use recycled plastic in the manufacture of plastic packaging’ and should lead to increased levels of recycling and collection of plastic waste , thus preventing a large part from going to landfill.
The new law will come into force on April 1. Accountancy firm Harold Duckworth reports the tax rate will be £200 per metric tonne of plastic packaging.
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Corporate tax changes
Companies and unincorporated associations that pay corporation tax will be affected by the changes which come into force on 1 April 2022. HMRC has set the ‘main rate’ of corporation tax for all profits not restricted at 19% for the financial year. which begins April 1, 2022, increasing to 25% on profits over £250,000 from April 1, 2023. A Small Profit Rate (SPR) will also be introduced at this time for companies with profits of £50,000 or less so they will continue to pay corporation tax at the rate of 19 percent.
Households are urged to prepare for a £150 council tax rebate
Households across England are being urged to set up direct debits with their local council to qualify for a council tax refund that will help millions of families manage the cost of living. People who pay council tax by direct debit will have the money paid directly into their bank account from April. Those who do not pay by direct debit will be contacted by their municipality and invited to make a complaint.
Around 20million households in municipal tax bands A to D – including 95% of let properties – are set to benefit from the £3billion council tax refund, which does not have to be refunded. It is part of a package of government measures to help families cope with rising energy costs.
An additional £144m will also be given to councils to provide discretionary support to vulnerable households who may not be eligible for the £150 council tax refund. This includes low-income people in municipal tax brackets E through H.
According to the Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Michael Gove: “As we emerge from the pandemic, we understand the pressures many families are facing as global inflation levels rise. The support we have introduced will help millions of people, especially those who are most disadvantaged. income and the most vulnerable. We continue to support the British people and I urge anyone who is eligible to claim this refund to do so.
Fuel changes
Red diesel and discounted biofuels will become illegal from April 1, which will mainly affect users of off-road vehicles such as bulldozers and cranes. The change is being made to help the UK meet its 2050 climate commitments.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-06 13:35:14
