This tax has a number of different names:
• emergency rate tax
• a non-cumulative rate or
• month 1 basis
We’re going to stick with emergency rate tax through the rest of this case study.
Providers must apply emergency rate tax to any lump sum withdrawals from a pension plan unless:
This means the majority of initial withdrawals are likely to be subject to emergency rate tax. It’s worth noting this is how PAYE operates and is not as a result of the pension freedoms.
Under the emergency tax rate the amount being withdrawn is treated as if it will continue to be paid each month, although in many cases it will actually be a one-off payment.
The provider will therefore apply 1/12th of the personal allowance (£12,570 for 2021/22 to 2025/26 tax years) to the payment, and will assess the remaining payment against 1/12th of each of the income tax bands currently in force.
Emergency rate tax is calculated on the UK tax rate not on different rates that may apply in Scotland or Wales. Though the refund for overpaid tax will be based on the actual tax due, which will depend on where your client is resident.
Fund value £100,000 – £25,000 tax-free and £75,000 taxable:
Annual Tax Band | Month 1 | Tax rate | Tax due | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Personal allowance | Up to £12,570 | £1,047.50 | 0% | £0.00 |
The remaining income (i.e. £75,000 - £1,047.50 = £73,952.50) is then taxed at: | ||||
Basic rate band | £37,700 | £3,141.67 | 20% | £628.33 |
Higher rate band | £37,700 - £150,000 | £9,358.33 | 40% | £3,743.33 |
Additional rate | Over £150,000 | £61,452.50 | 45% | £27,653.63 |
Total tax due | £32,025.29 | |||
Total taxable | £75,000.00 | |||
Net amount | £42,974.71 | |||
Plus PCLS | £25,000.00 | |||
Net paid | £67,974.71 |
There is a significant amount of tax being deducted from the income part of the payment, £32,025.29.
The following shows the actual amount of tax due and assumes no other income (excluding Scotland).
Annual Tax Band | Tax rate | Tax due | |
---|---|---|---|
Personal allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% | £0.00 |
The remaining income (i.e. £75,000 - £12,570 = £62,430) is then taxed at: | |||
Basic rate band | £37,700 | 20% | £7,540.00 |
Higher rate band | £37,700 - £62,430 |
40% | £9,892.00 |
Total tax due | £17,432.00 | ||
Total taxable | £75,000.00 | ||
Net amount | £57,568.00 | ||
Plus PCLS | £25,000.00 | ||
Net paid | £82,568.00 |
As expected, the actual tax due is lower, with only £17,432.00 due compared with the £32,025.29 deducted under the emergency tax rate basis. A refund of £14,593.29 would be due. This would be done by completing an online form.
Ideally an individual can stop the emergency tax code being applied by submitting a relevant P45 to the provider. This needs to have been issued in the same tax year the individual wants to take money from their plan and it needs to have been submitted to the provider before the first payment is taken. The provider will then apply the coding notice as stated on the P45 (on a month 1 basis) and hopefully deduct the correct amount of tax.
It makes sense to make it clear to individuals that emergency rate tax applies in this type of situation, just so there is no surprise.
Although more tax is deducted HMRC are reasonably prompt when paying refunds, so you should balance whether taking a small payment and waiting for the tax code would be the best way to proceed.
Another important consideration is once income has been taken from a flexi-access drawdown plan or an uncrystallised funds pension lump sum has been taken the money purchase annual allowance applies. This is important if the individual is still able to make contributions. Using flexi-access drawdown and only taking PCLS will avoid triggering the money purchase annual allowance.
There are 3 forms available for reclaiming overpaid tax as the result of a lump sum pension payment.
Advisers can guide them towards the correct form by asking 3 basic questions:
Is the individual planning on taking their all of their pension savings from the plan?
Yes, they are taking the whole fund. Does the individual have another source of income in this tax year? If no, use form P50Z. If yes, use form P53Z
No, the individual is only taking part of the fund. Does the individual plan on taking more money from the plan this tax year? If no, use form P55. If yes, HMRC will confirm the tax code.
You will note from this that individuals who intend to make further lump sum withdrawals and/or take income in the current tax year are expected to wait until HMRC issue the revised tax code. This is why there is no form which covers this situation.
You can find links to all HMRC Newsletters on our website.
The information provided is based on our current understanding of the relevant legislation and regulations and may be subject to alteration as a result of changes in legislation or practice. Also it may not reflect the options available under a specific product which may not be as wide as legislations and regulations allow.
All references to taxation are based on our understanding of current taxation law and practice and may be affected by future changes in legislation and the individual circumstances of the investor.