Britain | Tax brakes

Britain’s tax take is getting bigger but not better

From VAT to income tax, distortions and complications proliferate

The 2022-23 tax year ended on April 5th. The dates are the simplest aspect of the British tax system. People in England, Wales and Northern Ireland pay a basic rate of income tax of 20% on annual earnings over £12,570 ($15,612); Scotland has its own rates. Britons must also pay national-insurance contributions (NICs) of 12% of weekly earnings over £242, unless they are over the pension age or self-employed.

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Tax brakes”

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