The 50p rate of tax did not collect as much tax as anticipated as high wealth individuals accelerated their earnings in 2011 to take advantage of the 40p tax rate before it was raised. Now, one year on, high earners will be looking to defer their income to April 2013 to take advantage of the new 45p rate of tax.
People who run their own business will be able to defer paying themselves a bonus or a dividend to 2013. Similarly, people with savings will seek to invest in products that pay taxable income after April 2013. High earning employees on PAYE could look to increase their pension contributions in 2011/12 and thereby reduce their earning subject to the 50p top rate of tax.