From new year to year end – keeping a tax-planning resolution?

As 2025 gets under way, it is once again the time of year to start considering your tax year-end planning The early months of the year are the time to undertake year-end tax planning. Unsurprisingly, the traditional drivers have been … Continue reading

Pensions and IHT: beware April 2027

The latest Budget move to count pensions as part of your estate for inheritance tax (IHT) is a major change, with potentially significant consequences. At present, most pension benefits payable on death, whether lump sums or other income, are outside … Continue reading

Student fees to rise in England in 2025

The long freeze on student tuition fees in England has come to an end. Do you know what the RPIX is? You might guess it’s related to inflation given that RPI is the Retail Prices Index. But what does the … Continue reading

The consequences of higher employer’s national insurance contributions

The impact of the Budget’s increases in national insurance contributions (NICs) are not limited to employers. There were three main changes to employer’s NICs announced in the Budget, all of which will take effect from April 2025: The secondary threshold … Continue reading

Why mortgage rates are going up when the Bank of England is cutting rates

Not every interest rate moves in the same direction. Source: Bank of England, Investing.com If you are approaching the end of your five-year fixed rate mortgage and currently enjoying an interest rate of around 2%, you have probably been watching … Continue reading