Since the lifetime allowance was abolished, a new limit governs how much tax-free cash you can take from your pensions. The Lump Sum Allowance is £268,275 in 2026/27. Here is what it covers, who it affects, and how it interacts with the standard 25% tax-free cash.
From April 2026, self-employed people and landlords with income over 50,000 pounds must send HMRC quarterly updates under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Here is what a quarterly update is, what the deadlines are, and how the new rhythm differs from one annual return.
The pension annual allowance is normally £60,000 in 2026/27, but high earners see it tapered down. Once adjusted income passes £260,000, your allowance drops by £1 for every £2 over, to a floor of £10,000. Here is how the taper works and how to avoid an unexpected tax charge.
A pension top-up is one of the few moves that still cuts your 2026/27 tax bill if made before 5 April 2027. Basic-rate savers get 20% relief, higher-rate 40%, and those caught by the £100k taper or child benefit charge can see effective relief above 60%. Here is how to make the most of it.
You do not have to stop work and take your whole pension at once. Phased retirement lets you cut your hours, top up with pension income, and crystallise your pot in stages. Done well, it keeps you in lower tax bands and makes your savings last longer. Here is how it works in 2026/27.
Your pension income is taxed like a salary in retirement, but the rules differ in important ways. The State Pension uses up part of your personal allowance, the 25% tax-free cash is separate, and National Insurance stops once you reach State Pension Age. Here is how retirement income is taxed in 2026/27.
If your salary nudges over £50,270 you enter the 40% higher-rate band, lose tax-free child benefit headroom and pay more on every extra pound. A pension salary sacrifice can pull your taxable pay back below the line. Here is exactly how the numbers work for 2026/27.
Knowing what you can claim is only half the battle. Claiming things you cannot, from your work suit to your lunch to your commute, is what triggers HMRC enquiries and penalties. Here are 12 expense mistakes sole traders make in 2026/27 and what the rules actually say.
A side hustle making £5,000 profit on top of a salaried job is well past the £1,000 trading allowance, so it must be declared. Depending on whether you are a basic or higher-rate taxpayer, the tax and Class 4 NI bill ranges from roughly £1,090 to £2,090. Here is the full breakdown.
When you start taking a defined contribution pension, you usually choose between flexi-access drawdown and uncrystallised funds pension lump sums (UFPLS). Both let you access your 25% tax-free cash, but they work differently and suit different goals. Here is how to choose in 2026/27.
You only have to register for VAT once turnover hits 90,000 pounds, but you can register voluntarily before then. For some businesses it reclaims thousands in input VAT; for others it adds 20% to prices and scares off customers. Here is how to decide in 2026/27.
Most accountants point to a profit somewhere around 30,000 to 50,000 pounds as the tipping point where a limited company starts to save tax. But profit is only one factor. Here is how to judge the right moment to incorporate in 2026/27, beyond the headline numbers.
