Written for our partners Business Express. A new Plastic Packaging Tax launched on the 1st April and aims to reduce the amount of single-use plastics companies use. Here's what you need to know.
Every year in the UK alone we generate a phenomenal 5 million tonnes of plastic waste. And the sad fact is that far too much of it is still ending up in rivers, oceans and landfill.
With this in mind, the government is about to launch a new plastic packaging tax (PPT), aimed at discouraging businesses in their use of single-use plastic waste. Firms should prepare now, as the new rules kick in very soon on the 1st April 2022.
PPT will apply to finished plastic packaging that is made using less than 30% recycled plastic. It may have been manufactured in the UK or been imported. Examples include:
The tax will be £200 per metric tonne of plastic packaging.
Your business will be subject to PPT if:
Regarding the second condition, while PPT is being introduced a business only needs to register for the tax when the amount of plastic packaging is 10 tonnes or more in a 12-month period from the 1st April 2022.
You can register from the 1st April 2022. However, it’s crucial to be reviewing your business practices and supply chains now in order to understand what effect the new rules will have.
Registering for PPT is set to be a fairly straight-forward process which can be done online using the Government Gateway.
Unfortunately not. Even if your business doesn’t need to pay any tax, you must still keep sufficient records to prove this is the case. HMRC can check at any time.
In terms of exemption from PPT, there are four groups to note. They are:
If you’re not sure whether the type of plastic packaging your business uses is exempt or excluded from PPT, check the Gov.uk website.
HMRC may want to audit your plastic waste procedures and tax position at any time after the 1st April. This is why specific evidence is so important, and businesses should be able to show:
If your business imports plastic packing into the UK, it will still be liable for PPT. If imported goods are placed into a customs procedure (inward processing or customs warehousing for instance), no plastic packaging tax will be due until the packaging has been moved on for use. PPT won’t apply where the packaging is re-exported and no customs procedure has occurred.
If a company is based overseas but imports plastic packaging into the UK, it is then responsible for registering for PPT any paying any amounts owed.
The best course of action initially is to thoroughly check the contract your business has with its packaging supplier to get a clearer idea about the effect PPT will have (if any). You must also ensure you’re signed up for PPT where applicable from the 1st April 2022.
Bear in mind too that third party purchasers buying packaging from UK-based companies could end up jointly liable for PPT if HMRC believes the tax wasn’t paid correctly. This means it’s in your interest for all suppliers to demonstrate they’ve accounted for PPT and paid what they owe.
Whether it be a brand new sustainable packaging design, eco-friendly waste reduction process or any other type of innovation, if scientific or technical research occurred then you may be owed generous R&D Tax Credits to help with the cost.
An incredibly valuable tax incentive that’s been around since the year 2000, up to 33% of eligible R&D expenditure can be claimed back from HMRC. It can hugely reduce your Corporation Tax bill, and loss-making companies can receive a lump sum payment instead.
Any UK company of any size or structure can apply, and with average claims topping £55,000 can yours afford to miss out?
This article originally appeared on Business Express.
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