UK Tax & Money News

HMRC Mileage Rate Rises to 55p a Mile, Backdated to 6 April 2026

The approved mileage rate for cars and vans rises from 45p to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles, the first increase in 15 years. It applies for the whole 2026/27 tax year, so miles driven since 6 April already qualify.

7 Jul 2026

MTD Sign-Up Service Down 10 to 13 July: Act Before the 7 August Deadline

HMRC is taking its Making Tax Digital sign-up services offline from 5pm on Friday 10 July until 9am on Monday 13 July 2026. With the first quarterly update due 7 August, anyone mandated from April who has not signed up needs to plan around the outage.

7 Jul 2026

£1.6 Billion in Child Trust Fund Unclaimed Savings: How to Find Yours

More than 750,000 young people have unclaimed Child Trust Fund accounts worth £2,200 on average. A new government taskforce launched on 29 June 2026 is pushing to reunite them with their money. Here is everything you need to know.

3 Jul 2026

Kids Meals Tax Cut 2026: VAT Slashed to 5% on Children's Meals and Days Out

The Great British Summer Savings scheme went live on 25 June 2026, cutting VAT from 20% to 5% on children's restaurant meals and family days out. Here's exactly what's covered, how much you save, and which businesses are passing it on.

1 Jul 2026

Government Launches Consultation on New First Time Buyer ISA

The UK government launched a consultation on 23 June 2026 on a new First Time Buyer ISA designed to replace the Lifetime ISA. Here is what we know so far and what it means for your savings plans.

29 Jun 2026

Dividend Tax Rise 2026/27: New 10.75% and 35.75% Rates Explained

From 6 April 2026 the basic dividend rate rose from 8.75% to 10.75% and the higher rate from 33.75% to 35.75%. The £500 tax-free allowance and the 39.35% additional rate are unchanged. Most people with dividends outside an ISA will pay more - here is exactly how much, with real examples, and how to reduce it.

26 Jun 2026

ISA Allowance 2026/27: £20,000 Tax-Free and How to Use It

You can save or invest up to £20,000 in ISAs in 2026/27 with no tax on the interest, dividends or gains. With savings, dividend and capital gains taxes all biting harder, using your ISA allowance is now one of the most valuable money moves you can make. Here is how, with examples.

24 Jun 2026

National Insurance 2026/27: Employee and Self-Employed Rates

For 2026/27, employees pay 8% National Insurance on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% above. The self-employed pay 6% Class 4 between the same thresholds. Here is how it works, with real examples, and how to check what you owe.

22 Jun 2026

Stamp Duty 2026: What You Pay and First-Time Buyer Relief

In England and Northern Ireland, Stamp Duty Land Tax now starts at £125,000, with first-time buyers paying nothing up to £300,000. Scotland (LBTT) and Wales (LTT) have their own separate taxes and thresholds. Here is what you pay, with real examples for each nation.

19 Jun 2026

High Income Child Benefit Charge 2026: The £60,000–£80,000 Trap

The High Income Child Benefit Charge applies when someone in the household has adjusted net income over £60,000, clawing back Child Benefit gradually until it is fully removed at £80,000. It is based on the highest individual income, not household income - and pension contributions can reduce or remove it.

18 Jun 2026

Marriage Allowance 2026: Claim Up to £252 (and Backdate It)

If one of you earns under £12,570 and the other is a basic-rate taxpayer, Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,260 of personal allowance - worth up to £252 a year, and backdatable four years for a payout of over £1,000. Millions of eligible couples never claim. Here is how, with examples.

17 Jun 2026