News

A House of Lords committee has delivered strong criticism of the government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax (IHT) and pensions. Although some might assume that members of the Lords have a personal interest in the Chancellor’s plan to bring unspent … Continue reading →

When it comes to taking income in retirement, annuities are making a clear comeback and it’s easy to see why. Source: ABI In 2014, the then Chancellor, now better known as a podcaster, George Osborne, surprised everyone by unveiling a … Continue reading →

New analysis from the Office for National Statistics sheds fresh light on what life expectancy really means. Source: ONS “How long am I going to live?” is a question most of us think about more the older we get. One … Continue reading →

Are you missing out on tax relief on your pension contributions? A recent Supplementary Forecast Information release from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on the “Costing of charging NICs on salarysacrificed pension contributions” might not sound like gripping reading. … Continue reading →

The new tax year begins on Monday 6 April (Easter Monday), bringing a range of tax and pension rule changes and many of them are far from favourable. Dividend tax From April, dividend tax rates will rise by two percentage … Continue reading →

Inflation finished 2025 at 3.4%, higher than the 2.5% recorded in 2023, but interestingly, some prices actually fell during the year. Source: Office for National Statistics Inflation has been on a turbulent path in recent years, shaped by factors such … Continue reading →

A significant number of taxpayers who will be affected by the upcoming changes to tax reporting have yet to fully engage with what’s coming. Communication has never been HMRC’s strongest suit. Although it reliably issues tax return notices early in … Continue reading →

Much of the recent discussion around tax policy has focused on the government’s repeated freezes to tax thresholds. However, there is another long-running freeze quietly taking place, one that carries similar distortionary effects. One area where governments can legitimately claim … Continue reading →

If you’ve recently received a new tax code, don’t just file it away, check it carefully. It may not be correct. A recent Freedom of Information request submitted by a Top 20 accountancy firm revealed unwelcome news for taxpayers. HMRC … Continue reading →

The impact of successive freezes to the income tax personal allowance is now starting to show. Back on 6 April 2016, the new State pension was introduced at £155.65 a week (£8,093.80 a year), while the personal allowance rose by … Continue reading →

With January’s celebrations already fading into the background, attention now turns to 5 April and the fast approaching end of the tax year. The 2024 Budget reshaped the Chancellor’s fiscal timetable. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will now produce … Continue reading →

The government slipped out an unexpected tax announcement in late December, just as most people were turning their attention elsewhere. The old political adage about choosing “a good day to bury bad news” still feels relevant. More than twenty years … Continue reading →

HMRC’s new rules now allow certain crypto investment funds to qualify for ISA inclusion. In recent years, cryptoassets, from Bitcoin and stablecoins to Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, have captured global attention. Across the Atlantic, the sector has surged under … Continue reading →

The government has announced that tuition fees in England are once again on an upward trajectory. Tuition Fees on Track to Hit £10,000 In October, the UK Government unveiled a series of reforms for post-16 education. The headline announcement was … Continue reading →