Draft Welsh Budget is published: what does it mean for your 2022-23 tax bill?

Frozen income tax, discounted non-domestic rates and investment in social housing are all part of the Welsh government's proposed plans in its latest draft Budget.

The plans cover the next five years, in the first multi-year Welsh Budget to be published since 2017.

The draft Budget was published today, but will need to be scrutinised by Senedd Cymru before the final Budget is published on 1 March 2022.

Here, Which? reveals what's being planned for Welsh taxpayers, and how your money could be affected.

Welsh rates of income tax

A proportion of income tax in Wales has been paid directly to the devolved Welsh government since April 2019.

While HMRC still collects Welsh taxpayers' income tax, the Westminster government no longer receives all of it. Basic, higher and additional rates of tax have been reduced by 10p in the pound, and the Welsh government can then choose if it wants to charge taxpayers in addition to this amount.

So far, it has chosen to add 10p in the pound, meaning Welsh taxpayers pay the same amount of income tax as those in England and Northern Ireland.

The draft Welsh Budget says it will not look to raise the Welsh rates of income tax for as long as the economic impacts of the pandemic last for. This means income tax rates for 2022-23 will be as below:

If you earn more than £100,000, your personal allowance will start to reduce - and after £125,000, you won't benefit from any personal allowance at all.

• Find out more:income tax in Wales

Business rates reduction

As the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect businesses, the draft Welsh Budget proposes to continue its 50% discount on non-domestic rates for businesses in retail, leisure and hospitality sectors throughout 2022-23.

This will be capped at £110,000 across Wales.

In addition, the non-domestic rates multiplier in Wales will be frozen in 2022-23, which will ensure no business rates increase in the next tax year.

Land Transaction Tax (LTT) changes

While there are no imminent changes to LTT, the Budget document states that a consultation has been launched to look into whether local variations could be introduced for property buyers purchasing second homes and holiday lets in future.

• Find out more:Land Transaction Tax - stamp duty in Wales

Key areas of investment

Future spending decision also featured heavily in the draft Welsh Budget, which will have a direct impact on Welsh citizens.

The Welsh government plans to invest £1bn in social housing, and an additional £375m to be spent on building safety.

Wales' rail and bus provision is set to benefit from £750m investment, including the introduction of South Wales Metro. This is part of the government's plans to build a stronger, greener economy.

Is a council tax reform on the way?

The draft Budget document mentions that the Welsh government will seek to maximise the impact of its tax powers over the next five years, and mentions a council tax reform as part of this.

Currently, council tax bands in Wales are based on properties' market value on 1 April 2003, split into nine bands from A to I.

There aren't any concrete details about how the system will change, or timelines for it, but the Budget document says the reform will be underpinned by sustainability, fairness and equality, so watch this space.

• Find out more:what is council tax?