Guides

IR35 Explained: Inside vs Outside and What It Does to Your Take-Home

IR35 decides whether your contract is taxed like a business or like a job. Here is what inside and outside mean, who makes the call, and a 2026/27 worked example showing the real difference to your take-home pay.

By Alfred Odyero Ogwal · 24 Sept 2026

HMRC Tax Refund: How to Check, Claim and How Long It Takes

HMRC refunds some overpaid PAYE tax automatically, but not the kind caused by unclaimed expenses, pension relief or a mid-year job change. Here is how to check what you are owed, claim it free, and how long the money takes.

By Maria Moisei · 24 Sept 2026

P800 Letter Explained: Refund, Underpayment and What to Check

A P800 is HMRC's end-of-year PAYE tax calculation, telling you whether you overpaid or underpaid. Here's how to claim a refund for free, what happens if you owe, and how to check the figures against your P60.

By Damon Smith · 24 Sept 2026

UK Tax Year Dates 2026/27: Start, End and Every Key Deadline

The 2026/27 UK tax year starts on 6 April 2026 and ends on 5 April 2027. Here are the tax weeks and months, every filing and payment deadline in between, and the allowances that reset on 6 April.

By Damon Smith · 24 Sept 2026

Making Tax Digital Software: Free and Paid Options Compared (2026)

Free MTD software exists and works fine for a single simple sole trade or one rental — but most people in scope from April 2026 need more. Here is what the software has to do, and how the free, bridging and paid options stack up.

By Krisztina Aranyi · 24 Sept 2026

Vinted Tax: Do You Pay Tax Selling Clothes? The 30-Item Rule Explained

Vinted shares seller data with HMRC once you pass 30 sales or around £1,700 a year — but being reported is not the same as owing tax. Here is where the line between clearing your wardrobe and trading actually falls.

By Mercy Oyelowo · 24 Sept 2026

Property

Capital Gains Tax on Property 2026/27: Rates, Reliefs and the 60-Day Deadline

Capital gains tax on property is charged at 18% or 24% in 2026/27, after a £3,000 tax-free allowance. Here is how to work out the gain, what you can deduct, which reliefs apply and why the 60-day deadline matters.

By Peter Cunniffe · 24 Sept 2026

Property

Stamp Duty on a Second Home: The 5% Surcharge and When You Can Reclaim It

Buying an additional property usually triggers a 5% stamp duty surcharge in England and Northern Ireland, 8% ADS in Scotland and higher rates in Wales. Here is who pays, what it costs and when you can claim it back.

By Peter Cunniffe · 24 Sept 2026

Corporation Tax Rates 2026/27: 19%, 25% and Marginal Relief Worked Out

Corporation tax in 2026/27 is 19% on profits up to £50,000 and 25% above £250,000, with marginal relief smoothing the gap. Here is the formula, the 26.5% effective marginal rate and how associated companies change the thresholds.

By David Obeng · 24 Sept 2026

How to Pay Your Self Assessment Bill: Every Method and Deadline

Every way to pay your Self Assessment bill, how long each method takes to clear, the reference number HMRC needs, and what to do if you can't pay in full by 31 January.

By Mercy Oyelowo · 24 Sept 2026

HMRC Says I've Underpaid Tax: Why It Happens and What to Do

A letter saying you owe tax is usually a PAYE mismatch, not a mistake you made. Here's how to check the figures, when HMRC can write the arrears off under ESC A19, and how to pay or spread the bill.

By Damon Smith · 24 Sept 2026

How to Find Your National Insurance Number (Online, App or Post)

Your National Insurance number is on old payslips, your P60 and any HMRC letter — and you can pull it up free in the HMRC app or your Personal Tax Account in a couple of minutes. Here's every route, including how to find a child's number.

By Laura Michelle Davis · 24 Sept 2026

How to Change Your Tax Code (and How Long HMRC Takes)

A wrong tax code is the most common reason people over- or underpay tax. Here is how to get it changed with HMRC, how long the fix takes to reach your payslip, and how to get overpaid tax back.

By Damon Smith · 24 Sept 2026

Inheritance Tax

Residence Nil Rate Band: The Extra £175,000 for Leaving Your Home

The residence nil rate band adds up to £175,000 of tax-free allowance when you leave your home to children or grandchildren. Here is who qualifies, how the £2m taper bites, and what happens if you downsize.

By Laura Michelle Davis · 24 Sept 2026

Student Loan Refund: How to Check If You've Overpaid and Claim

Millions of graduates pay more towards their student loan than the rules require — usually because repayments started too early, earnings fell below the threshold, or deductions carried on after the balance hit zero. Here's how to check and claim a refund.

By Maria Moisei · 24 Sept 2026

National Insurance Credits: Who Gets Them Free and How to Claim

National Insurance credits are free qualifying years for your State Pension — but thousands are never claimed. Here is who gets them automatically, who has to apply, and how far back you can go.

By Laura Michelle Davis · 24 Sept 2026