Corporation tax is like a fee that companies in the United Kingdom have to pay to the government for being a business. This fee is based on how much profit the company makes during the year. For example, if a company makes a profit of £100, they have to pay some of that money to the government as corporation tax.
But why does the government collect corporation tax? Well, it helps pay for things like public services (like hospitals and schools), road and transport infrastructure, and things that help the country grow and develop.
But, not all companies pay the same amount of corporation tax. Some companies may get certain tax deductions that lower the amount they owe. For example, there are tax deductions for expenses like salaries and wages, rent, and the cost of goods sold.
Also, some companies may move their profits to other countries (where the tax rate is lower) to avoid paying higher UK corporation tax. This is called "tax avoidance", and the UK government is trying to stop it by setting rules and penalties for companies who do this.
Overall, corporation tax is an important part of the UK's government revenue and helps fund public services and infrastructure projects.