Just when pensioners think they can enjoy a huge payout with their retirement fund, it turns out that the government will enjoy it more. The bigger the retirement fund, the bigger the taxes that are imposed on it. But that’s not all; it’s also been revealed that the new pension freedoms will have inaccurate tax charges, and to avoid paying more than you should, you need to get in touch with HMRC – hurray!
As pensions are taxed the same way as income, even if you’ve never earned enough to pay 40% tax, you may suffer a higher tax rate on your pension because most people will be put on emergency tax. Such news would make any pensioner think twice before cashing out a huge part of their pension.
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What To Expect
- Pension is taxed similar to income, so the bigger payments translate to a higher tax rate.
- To avoid inaccurate tax charges, pensioners have to negotiate with HMRC to rectify the incorrect estimation.
- They must provide a P45 form for a tax deduction and their withdrawal to be corrected.
- They would have to pay an emergency levy if they’re still employed, because a P45 is only issued to those who have left work or paid their pension in full.
- A tax refund will only be paid at the end of the tax year, and pensioners who want an earlier payout would have to fill out additional forms, which will differ from one pensioner to another.
If there is one word to describe pension withdrawals, complicated would be it.
How complicated would it be in your specific circumstances?
Tax Imposed
- The tax-free annual income is £10,600
- All earnings have to be combined before tax is calculated.
- If you have no other income and want to take £10,000 out of your pension, you will most likely only receive £4,500 due to emergency tax. You will get a full refund – eventually – but the upfront payment is only £4,500.
Tax On Pension Withdrawal
You can enjoy your pension even before you leave work – you’ve worked hard for it, after all – but it may not seem as rewarding as you expected because you’d have to pay an emergency tax of 45% for every pension withdrawal you make.
How Is Tax On Pension Withdrawal Calculated?
Your allowance is spread evenly throughout the year through what is known as free pay. HMRC divides it into 52 weekly or 12 monthly equal parts, depending on how you are paid. Whatever tax-free allowances aren’t used in a week or month are then carried out to the next pay period, effectively reducing your tax bill. But remember that this is only applicable if you can present a P45 form, which is only issued after you resign.
If this is not the case, you would have to fill out three other forms. P50Z if you withdraw your whole pension pot in one go and don’t have other income. P53Z if you have other taxable income, and you prefer to withdraw your entire pension pot. P55 if you only take out a chunk of your pension and you don’t take another flexible payment before the start of the tax year.
Find out how you can get a tax refund