Freeport operators will be able to take advantage of a zero rate of secondary national insurance contributions (NICs) for employees, the government has announced.
The National Insurance Contributions Bill 2021, which legislates reliefs for those operating in Freeports, has now been published.
The Bill confirms that from April 2022, organisations with employees spending 60% or more of their time in a Freeport site will be eligible for relief on secondary Class 1 NICs for 36 months. The relief will be available to new employees earning up to £25,000 per annum.
In 2020 the government consulted on proposals to create up to ten Freeports across the UK. A UK Freeport will be a geographical area with a diameter up to 45km which is closely linked to a seaport, airport or rail port. East Midlands Airport, Felixstowe and Harwich, Humber, Liverpool City Region, Plymouth and South Devon, Solent, Teesside and Thames have been successful in the Freeports bidding process for England.
The government is now proposing a range of measures covering customs, tax reliefs, planning, regeneration funding and innovation to create Freeports as national hubs for global trade and investment across the UK.
More from our tax experts
You can find all of our latest tax articles and tax resources here.
If you are looking for advice in a particular area, please get in touch with your usual Hawsons contact.
Alternatively, we offer all new clients a free initial meeting to have a discussion about their own personal circumstances – find out more or book your free initial meeting here. We have offices in Sheffield, Doncaster and Northampton.
Free initial meeting
Craig Walker
Tax Director, Sheffield
More similar content
Creative Tax Reliefs – permanent higher rates of tax reliefs
In the Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced that a permanent extension will be made to tax relief for theatres, orchestras, museums and galleries. The government is also providing £26 million of funding to upgrade the National Theatre’s stages and infrastructure....
Advisory fuel rates for company cars
HMRC has published new advisory fuel rates for company car users which take effect from 1 June 2024. The rates have increased by 1p per mile for most petrol and diesel cars. Petrol cars with an engine size over 2000c have seen a larger increase of 2p per mile. The LPG...
Inheritance tax planning guide
Inheritance tax planning How can I reduce any inheritance tax liabilities? Planning ahead allows individuals and couples to employ strategies for reducing the value of their taxable estate, helping them stay under the inheritance tax threshold. Annual gift allowance...