131 articles tagged with 2026.
The AIA lets businesses deduct the full cost of qualifying plant and machinery up to GBP 1 million in the year of purchase. Here is how it works in 2026/27.
AIA gives 100% first-year relief on up to £1m of plant and machinery. How to time purchases around your accounting year, pool interactions, and group company rules.
How HMRC taxes beneficial loans to employees and directors in 2026 -- the official rate, P11D reporting, exemptions under £10,000, and director loan accounts.
What buildings and contents insurance covers, how to set your sum insured correctly, flood risk ratings, new-build cover, and HMO insurance requirements.
BADR CGT rate rose to 14% from April 2025. Learn who qualifies, the £1m lifetime limit, qualifying conditions, and how to plan a business sale efficiently.
HMRC approved mileage allowance rates for 2026/27 -- cars, motorcycles and bikes. How employees and self-employed workers claim, plus MAPs and tax treatment.
The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure business rates relief scheme for 2026/27 -- eligibility, how much you can save, how to apply, and interaction with other reliefs.
CGT rates were equalised in October 2024. Here is what the 2026/27 rules mean for property, shares, and business assets.
Carried interest CGT rises to 32% from April 2026. Who is affected, what qualifies, income treatment for non-qualifying carried interest, and AIFMD conditions.
Understanding the overlap between Child Benefit and Universal Credit in 2026 -- the High Income Child Benefit Charge, UC child element, and which to prioritise.
CTFs are maturing for young adults born 2002-2011. How to find a lost account, transfer to an adult ISA, cash out, or invest -- and the tax treatment of withdrawals.
Which childcare tax saving is better in 2026 -- Tax-Free Childcare (government top-up) or employer salary sacrifice? We compare both for different income levels.
CIS requires contractors to deduct 20% (or 30%) from subcontractor payments. Here is the full guide to registration, returns and reclaiming overpayments in 2026/27.
How the Construction Industry Scheme domestic reverse charge VAT works in 2026 -- who it applies to, invoicing rules, cash flow impact, and common mistakes.
Company car benefit-in-kind tax 2026/27: EV at 3%, PHEV 5-12%, diesel 37%+. How salary sacrifice cuts your BIK bill and what changes by 2028.
Company directors must file a Self Assessment tax return. Learn what to declare -- salary, dividends, director loans, benefits in kind, P11D -- and key 2026/27 deadlines.
English council tax bands still use 1991 property valuations. Learn how to check your band, challenge it via the VOA, claim reductions, and how Scotland and Wales differ.
Council Tax Reduction can cut your council tax bill to zero in some cases. How to apply to your local council, income thresholds, second adult rebate, student exemption and more.
A practical guide to improving your UK credit score: how the three CRAs work, what affects your score, free checking tools, correcting errors, and mortgage prep.
How the Cycle to Work scheme works in 2026 -- including electric bikes, the salary sacrifice mechanism, cost limits, and how much you actually save on tax and NI.
Dividend tax rates for 2026/27 are 8.75%/33.75%/39.35%, with just £500 allowance. How dividends are taxed, why directors take salary+dividend, and the marginal rate analysis.
The dividend allowance is GBP 500 in 2026/27. Above that, you pay 8.75%, 33.75% or 39.35% depending on your income band. Here is the full guide.
What relocation costs employers can pay tax-free in 2026 -- the £8,000 limit, qualifying expenses, what falls outside and triggers P11D, and how to structure packages.
Employer NI rose to 15% from April 2025 with the secondary threshold cut to £5,000. Calculate the cost per employee and how salary sacrifice and Employment Allowance help.
The Employment Allowance increased to GBP 10,500 in April 2026, cutting the employer NI bill for eligible small businesses. Here is who qualifies and how to claim.
How to claim tax relief on employment expenses using form P87 in 2026 -- uniforms, tools, professional fees, working from home allowance, and how much you can get back.
The tax advantages of locating in a UK Enterprise Zone in 2026 -- enhanced capital allowances, business rates relief, simplified planning, and where the zones are.
How much estate agents charge, sole vs multi-agency, fixed fee online agents, what's included, and when an auction might be a better alternative to a traditional sale.
Comparing Family Investment Companies (FICs) and trusts for UK wealth planning in 2026 -- tax efficiency, control, IHT benefits, costs, and which suits your situation.
How flexible ISAs work in 2026 -- withdraw and replace cash without losing your £20,000 annual allowance, which providers offer it, and the rules you need to know.
In 2026, free childcare in England covers 15 hours universal (3-4 year olds) and 30 hours for working parents. The expansion to babies from 9 months is also now rolling out. Full guide.
Fuel duty frozen at 52.95p/litre in 2026. How VAT adds to the pump price, business mileage at 45p/mile, and how UK rates compare across Europe.
The FHL tax regime ended April 2025. Learn what changed for capital allowances, BADR, pension contributions, and how former FHL owners should now declare income.
The FHL regime ended April 2025 -- what this means for your tax position in 2026/27, transitional rules, and how to restructure your short-term rental property.
Everything you need to know about ECO4, GBIS, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and the Warm Homes Plan -- free and subsidised home improvements available in 2026.
Help to Save pays a 50% government bonus on savings for UC and Working Tax Credit claimants. Save up to £50/month and earn up to £1,200 in bonuses over 4 years.
HICBC threshold raised to £60,000 from April 2024 with taper to £80,000. Learn who benefits, whether to opt back in, and how to backdate claims.
How higher and additional rate taxpayers claim extra pension tax relief through Self Assessment -- step-by-step guide with 2026/27 figures and common mistakes to avoid.
HMRC advisory fuel rates for Q1 2026 -- petrol, diesel, LPG and electric vehicle rates for company car drivers, and how to use them for expense reimbursement.
What HMRC nudge letters are, the different types (offshore, rental income, Airbnb, crypto, CIS), what to do when you receive one, and time limits for disclosure.
HMRC nudge letters are not random. If one lands on your doormat, here is what triggered it and exactly how to respond.
How Agricultural Property Relief works for IHT in 2026 -- the new £1m cap, qualifying conditions, interaction with Business Property Relief, and estate planning strategies.
The Personal Allowance is frozen at £12,570 until 2028. Learn how fiscal drag is pulling millions into higher tax bands and what you can do about it.
Gifts to UK charities are fully exempt from inheritance tax. Leave 10% or more of your net estate to charity and the IHT rate drops from 40% to 36%. How it works in 2026.
How Interest in Possession (IIP) trusts are taxed in 2026 -- income tax for trustees and beneficiaries, CGT treatment, IHT on the life tenant's estate, and when to use them.
When an interest-only mortgage ends, the full capital is due. Know your options: sell, remortgage to repayment, part-and-part, lifetime mortgage, or extending the term.
How higher mortgage rates are hitting UK landlord profits in 2026 -- the 20% tax credit restriction, stress tests, and strategies to protect your rental income.
How to use a Lifetime ISA to buy your first home in 2026 -- the 25% government bonus, property price limit, conveyancing process, and what happens if plans change.
Everything sole traders need to know about MTD for ITSA 2026 -- quarterly reporting, compatible software, exemptions, and how to prepare now.
MTD for Income Tax starts April 2026 for incomes over GBP 50,000. Find out what quarterly reporting means and how to prepare now.
Self-employed women can claim Maternity Allowance at £184.03/week for up to 39 weeks in 2026. We explain the 26-out-of-66-week test, Class 2 NI credits, and how it compares to SMP.
How pension contributions are handled during UK maternity leave in 2026 -- employer obligations, employee choices, SMP impact, and protecting your retirement savings.
MPAA reduces pension contribution allowance to £10,000 when triggered by flexible pension access. Learn what triggers it, how to avoid it, and the 91-day reporting rule.
How the UK mortgage guarantee scheme works, which lenders offer 95% LTV mortgages, eligible properties up to £600,000, and how it compares to the Lifetime ISA route.
NI credits explained -- who gets them automatically, who must claim, Class 3 voluntary NI at £824/year, and how credits build your state pension entitlement.
How net pay arrangement pensions work, who benefits most, comparison with relief at source, and what it means for non-taxpayers and higher earners.
The Foreign Income and Gains regime replaces remittance basis from April 2025. 4-year exemption for new UK residents, TRF for old overseas income -- full guide.
The UK non-domicile remittance basis ended April 2025 -- what replaced it, the 4-year FIG regime, transitional rules for existing non-doms, and planning for 2026/27.
Offshore bonds offer tax-deferred growth and top-slicing relief. Here is how the insurance wrapper works and who benefits most.
A plain-English guide to pension annual statements: transfer value, projected income, charges, performance, and statutory money purchase illustrations explained.
Should you consolidate your UK pension pots in 2026? We cover the benefits of merging old workplace pensions, the risks to watch for, and how the transfer process works.
Annuity rates have improved significantly. This updated 2026/27 comparison helps you decide between drawdown, annuity, or a blended approach.
How to withdraw pension income in the most tax-efficient order in 2026/27 -- combining tax-free cash, drawdown, State Pension, ISA income, and dividend strategies.
Earn between GBP 100,000 and GBP 125,140 and your effective marginal tax rate hits 60%. Here is how the Personal Allowance taper works and how to avoid it.
20% VAT on private school fees from January 2025 explained -- who pays, which schools are exempt, and what parents can do to manage the cost.
Beyond the purchase price: SDLT, conveyancing, surveys, mortgage fees, removals and more. Typical additional costs range from £4,000 to £12,000 or more.
The R&D merged scheme replaced SME R&D and RDEC from April 2024. RDEC rate is 20% (net 15%), ERIS gives loss-making R&D-intensive SMEs 27% net benefit. What qualifies and how to claim.
How UK SME R&D tax relief works in 2026 -- the PAYE cap calculation, merged scheme, qualifying costs, and the Additional Information Form required for all claims.
Statutory notice periods, PILON tax treatment, garden leave rights, the £30k tax-free threshold for termination payments, and how settlement agreements work in 2026.
How relief at source pension contributions work, who benefits most, higher rate claims via self-assessment, and the Scottish income tax complication.
Start looking 6 months before your fix ends. How to lock a rate early, calculate ERCs, compare 2yr vs 5yr vs tracker, and decide whether to port or overpay first.
Earn up to GBP 7,500 tax-free from a lodger under the Rent a Room scheme -- here is everything you need to know for 2026/27.
Every allowable expense UK landlords can deduct from rental income in 2026 -- from mortgage interest credit to repairs, management fees, and the property income allowance.
Right to Buy lets eligible council tenants in England buy their home at a discount. In 2026 the urban cap is £38,000 and the rural cap is £16,000. Here is the full eligibility and cost guide.
How to structure your director salary and dividends for maximum tax efficiency in 2026/27 -- with worked examples using current NI thresholds and dividend tax rates.
If your non-savings income is below £17,570, you may pay 0% tax on savings interest. How the starting rate band works, who benefits, and how to claim via R40 or Self Assessment.
How to reduce Capital Gains Tax when selling a second home or buy-to-let property in 2026/27 -- PRR, letting relief, timing strategies, and the 60-day reporting rule.
How settlement agreement payments are taxed in 2026 -- the £30,000 tax-free exemption, PENP formula for notice pay, payments in lieu of notice, and PILON tax rules.
Staircasing lets shared ownership buyers purchase additional shares over time. We explain the costs at each tranche, SDLT treatment, mortgage implications, and what happens at 100%.
Comparing sole trader vs limited company tax at GBP 30k, GBP 60k and GBP 100k profit in 2026/27 -- the numbers may surprise you.
FTB SDLT relief reverted in April 2025: now 0% on first £300,000 (up to £500,000 purchase). What counts as a first-time buyer, joint purchases, and shared ownership relief.
SMP pays 90% of earnings for 6 weeks then GBP 187.18/week. SPP pays GBP 187.18/week for 2 weeks. Here is the complete guide for 2026/27.
SSP 2026/27 is £116.75 per week. Learn about the 4 qualifying days, 28-week maximum, fit notes, small employer relief, and return-to-work obligations.
How to claim UK trading loss relief in 2026: offset against same-year income, carry back one year (three years for terminal losses), carry forward unlimited, and loss buying restrictions.
How UC surplus earnings work, the carry-forward calculation, interaction with the Minimum Income Floor, seasonal income challenges, and managing fluctuating self-employed income.
HMRC lets remote workers claim GBP 6/week tax relief for working from home. Here is how to claim up to GBP 312 per year in 2026/27.
Online platforms including Airbnb now report host earnings directly to HMRC. What this means for UK hosts' tax obligations in 2026, and how it changes the compliance picture.
Old bank accounts, forgotten savings and lost premium bonds add up to billions in unclaimed UK money. How to search for and reclaim dormant accounts in 2026.
Healthy Start provides a prepaid card for pregnant women and families with young children to buy fruit, vegetables and milk. Eligibility and current amounts for 2026.
Being employed doesn't rule out benefit entitlement. A guide to the in-work benefits working UK households commonly miss in 2026, from Universal Credit to Council Tax Support.
UK Seasonal Worker visa holders working in agriculture pay Income Tax and National Insurance the same way as any other employee. How PAYE, tax codes and NI apply in 2026.
Zero-hours and irregular-hours workers accrue statutory holiday pay based on hours worked, using the 12.07% method. How it's calculated in 2026 and what to check on your payslip.
Adjusted net income affects your Personal Allowance, HICBC, and tapered pension annual allowance. Learn how to reduce it with pension contributions and Gift Aid in 2026/27.
The AIA gives immediate 100% tax relief on up to £1 million of qualifying plant and machinery spending per year. Learn what qualifies, timing strategies, and writing-down allowances.
Cash basis accounting simplifies tax for small businesses by taxing income when received and deducting expenses when paid. Learn the rules, limits, and exit rules for 2026/27.
CIS subcontractors face 20% or 30% tax deductions from invoices. Learn how to apply for gross payment status, reclaim deductions, and avoid common CIS mistakes in 2026/27.
A genuine pool car creates zero benefit-in-kind for employees. Learn HMRC's strict pool car criteria, the overnight-at-home test, and how car allowances and mileage compare in 2026/27.
UK tax on crypto staking rewards, DeFi lending, liquidity pools, airdrops, and NFT sales. Learn HMRC's current position and record-keeping requirements for 2026/27.
Charging a company electric car at home raises specific tax questions. Learn HMRC's 7p/mile advisory rate, the zero-BIK for employer-provided charge points, and salary sacrifice EV schemes.
The Employment Allowance reduces your employer NI bill by up to £10,500 in 2026/27. Learn who qualifies, the sole director exclusion, connected company rules, and how to claim through payroll.
UK investors in ETFs face dividend tax on both distributing and accumulating funds. Learn about deemed distributions, reporting fund status, excess reportable income, and ISA sheltering.
Service businesses on the VAT Flat Rate Scheme may be 'limited cost traders' paying 16.5% -- leaving almost no benefit. Learn which businesses are affected and better alternatives.
Gifting assets while continuing to benefit from them will not remove them from your estate for IHT. Learn GWR rules, POAT, exceptions, and alternatives that actually work in 2026/27.
From online banking to HMRC Time to Pay, here are all the ways to pay your self-assessment tax bill in 2026/27 -- including the budget payment plan and what happens if you can't pay.
Employer benefits like private medical insurance and company cars are taxable. Learn P11D deadlines, payrolling benefits, exemptions, Class 1A NI, and PAYE Settlement Agreements for 2026/27.
The freeze on income tax thresholds from 2022 to 2028 is costing millions of taxpayers thousands of pounds through fiscal drag. See the real impact at £30k, £50k, and £80k salaries.
MVL lets you close a solvent company and extract retained profits as capital at 14% BADR rather than 33.75%+ dividend tax. Learn the rules, costs, and TAAR anti-avoidance.
Buying voluntary Class 3 NI contributions at £824.20/year in 2026/27 can significantly boost your State Pension. Learn how to check your record, calculate break-even, and avoid overpaying.
UK residents are taxed on worldwide income, including overseas property rental. Learn how to declare foreign rental income, claim double tax relief, and use the FIG regime if you are a new arrival.
Carry forward lets you use up to three years of unused pension annual allowance in 2026/27. Learn the order of use, MPAA restrictions, and worked examples for high earners.
Taking a pension tax-free lump sum and then boosting pension contributions can trigger the recycling charge. Learn the 30% rule, the £7,500 threshold, and strategies that are safe in 2026/27.
PPR relief exempts your main home from CGT. Learn qualifying conditions, partial relief, letting relief, periods of absence, and divorce rules for 2026/27.
Loans to invest in close companies, partnerships, or plant and machinery can qualify for full income tax relief at your marginal rate -- unlike the 20% credit for buy-to-let mortgages.
If HMRC owes you a tax refund, you may need to use R38, R40, P800 or R43. Learn which form applies to your situation and how to reclaim overpaid tax in 2026/27.
The S455 charge of 33.75% applies to overdrawn director's loan accounts at the company year end. Learn repayment rules, the 30-day bed-and-breakfasting rule, and write-off consequences.
SEIS offers 50% income tax relief on up to £200,000 invested per year in qualifying early-stage companies. Learn CGT exemptions, loss relief, and reinvestment relief in 2026/27.
Mixed-use properties attract lower commercial SDLT rates rather than residential rates. Learn what qualifies, how HMRC is challenging claims, and the risks for flats above shops and farmhouses.
Most UK trusts must now be registered with HMRC's Trust Registration Service under 5MLD rules. Learn who must register, deadlines, penalties, and exemptions in 2026/27.
Registering for VAT voluntarily below the £90,000 threshold can help you reclaim input VAT and appear more credible to B2B clients. But there are real risks too. Find out if it makes sense.
Self-employed people can claim Working Tax Credit based on hours worked and income. Learn about minimum hours, the childcare element, income assessment, annual renewals, and migration to Universal Credit.
Auto-enrolment makes pension saving automatic, but is opting out ever the right move? We crunch the real numbers so you can decide.
The HICBC threshold rose to £60,000 in April 2024. Here is how the new taper works, strategies to reduce your adjusted net income and the PAYE changes coming in 2026.
Council tax reduction can cut your bill by up to 100% if you are on a low income. Rules vary by council but here is how the system works across England, Scotland and Wales.
Final salary and career average pensions offer certainty but are vanishing from the private sector. Here is how to compare them with money purchase schemes.
SMP pays 90% of earnings for the first six weeks, then £184.03 per week for up to 33 more weeks. Here is exactly what to expect and how to plan.
The pension lifetime allowance was scrapped from April 2024, removing the 55% tax charge on large pension pots. Here is what replaced it and what it means for you.
PIP pays up to £184.30 per week in 2026/27 across the daily living and mobility components. Here is how assessment works and what you can receive.
With five student loan plans in operation, knowing your threshold and interest rate is essential. Here is the complete 2026/27 comparison.
The UC taper means you keep 45p of every extra pound you earn above your work allowance. Understanding this is key to making work pay.
How the VAT Margin Scheme works for second-hand goods, antiques, art, and collectibles in 2026 -- VAT on profit margin only, eligible goods, global accounting, auctioneers scheme, and record-keeping requirements.
The most common self assessment questions answered: missed deadline, HMRC notice to file, closing your account, moving abroad, inheritance, crypto, side hustles and more.
