Visit/personal-finance/savings/isas/stocks-and-shares-isas
Online Isa & Sipp providers cost comparison table
Below is a breakdown of the charges levied by some of the most popular online Isa platforms for funds and stocks & shares. Click on the broker name to…
14 Jan 2020
Visit/520306/self-assessment-dont-miss-the-deadline-for-online-tax-returns
Self-assessment: don’t miss the deadline for online tax returns
If you are self-employed, rent out a property or earn income from savings, investments and dividends, you need to fill in a tax return. And the deadli…
13 Jan 2020
Visit/520304/new-year-new-you-resolve-to-get-your-finances-in-order
New year, new you: resolve to get your finances in order
For most of us, the New Year heralds plans to get fit, eat better and generally be a better human. But have you thought about what you could do to imp…
13 Jan 2020
Visit/520338/how-much-the-state-pension-will-rise-by-this-year
How much the state pension will rise by this year
While Boris Johnson promised to hold a full budget within 100 days of his election victory, many of the details of next year’s state pension increases…
10 Jan 2020
Visit/520337/vanguard-leads-charge-on-fees
Vanguard set to launch the UK’s cheapest-ever pension fund
Vanguard, the giant US asset management company, is set to launch a self-invested personal pension (Sipp) with an annual fee of just 0.15%
10 Jan 2020
Visit/519728/why-it-pays-to-move-your-occupational-pension-out-of-its-default-fund
Why it pays to move your occupational pension out of its default fund
If you’re a member of an occupational pension scheme, moving your savings out of its default investment fund could significantly increase your wealth …
22 Dec 2019
Visit/519730/should-you-take-a-25-lump-sum-from-your-pension-fund
Should you take a 25% lump sum from your pension fund?
If you’re approaching retirement, think twice before exercising your right to take 25% of your pension fund savings as a tax-free cash lump sum.
20 Dec 2019
Visit/519731/why-you-should-keep-a-close-eye-on-your-national-insurance-contributions
Why you should keep a close eye on your National Insurance contributions
The state pension now requires a 35-year record of National Insurance payments to get the maximum payment. Check your record is correct, because any m…
20 Dec 2019
Visit/519469/get-your-business-ready-for-ir35
Get your business ready for IR35
IR35 – the tax rules distinguishing freelancers from employees – are getting tougher. Here's how to make sure our business can cope.
18 Dec 2019
Visit/519421/pensions-vanguard-sparks-a-sipp-price-war
Pensions: Vanguard sparks a Sipp price war
Fund giant Vanguard is poised to shake up the Sipp market with the cheapest offering on record.
17 Dec 2019
Visit/519618/why-the-conservative-victory-is-good-news-for-investors
Why the Conservative victory is good news for investors
The Conservatives' election victory is a big deal, says John Stepek. Markets have bounced and the pound has surged. Here's what it all means for the e…
13 Dec 2019
Visit/519193/mini-bonds-big-trouble
Mini-bonds could spell big trouble for small investors
Investors have been seduced by the high interest rates on mini-bonds, but they’re not as safe as they seem.
11 Dec 2019
Visit/519097/dont-get-caught-by-the-pension-contributions-cap
Don’t get caught by the pension contributions cap
It’s easier to breach your annual pension contributions allowance than you might think. Here's how to make sure you don't go over it.
11 Dec 2019
Visit/519094/why-the-gig-economy-means-nations-will-soon-find-taxation-more-taxing
Why the gig economy means nations will soon find taxation more taxing
The world of work is changing as the gig economy – and the self-employed themselves – go global. That will leave a big hole in countries’ coffers, say…
6 Dec 2019
Visit/519223/how-can-we-raise-more-money-in-tax
What are the best ways of raising more money in tax?
Given that whoever wins next week's election will be going on a massive spending spree, we're going to need to raise at least some of that money throu…
5 Dec 2019
Visit/518837/should-you-invest-in-a-holiday-let
Should you invest in a holiday let?
There is money to be made in the rapidly expanding holiday let market. But do your sums carefully before you buy.
4 Dec 2019
Visit/518842/how-to-cut-your-car-insurance-premiums
How to cut your car insurance premiums
Customers end up paying more for the convenience of price comparison sites, but there are still ways to reduce your car insurance premiums.
3 Dec 2019
Visit/518997/what-level-of-income-really-makes-you-rich
What level of income really makes you “rich”?
The one-percent club may not be quite as exclusive as you think, says Merryn Somerset Webb. Many people can drift in and out throughout their lives.
2 Dec 2019
Visit/518855/weve-got-plenty-of-taxation-but-not-much-representation
We've got plenty of taxation – but not much representation
The last century has seen government proliferate to unprecedented levels. The state now owns as much of a worker’s labour as a feudal lord, says Domin…
29 Nov 2019
Visit/518715/what-are-the-biggest-mistakes-investors-make-when-it-comes-to-tax
What are the biggest mistakes investors make when it comes to tax?
The tax implications of an investment are something we rarely consider until after the event. That could prove to be an expensive mistake, says Domini…
27 Nov 2019
Visit/518618/labours-tax-proposals-and-what-they-mean-for-your-money
Labour’s tax proposals and what they mean for your money
Nimesh Shah, partner at accountants and tax consultants Blick Rothenberg, outlines the Labour Party's tax proposals, and explains how they might affec…
27 Nov 2019
Visit/518407/gifts-that-keep-on-giving
Don’t give your children toys for Xmas, give money
If you give your children or grandchildren fashionable toys for Christmas they’ll soon forget about them – so put some money to work for them instead.
26 Nov 2019
Visit/518346/tread-carefully-if-youre-thinking-about-equity-release
Tread carefully if you're thinking about equity release
The equity release market is getting its act together. But the cost means tapping your property for cash should be a last resort for most people.
25 Nov 2019
Visit/518595/who-should-pay-the-costs-of-banking-fraud
Who should pay the costs of banking fraud?
Around 78,000 people it in the UK last year fell victim to “authorised push payment fraud” – where fraudsters persuade you to transfer money from your…
25 Nov 2019
Visit/518400/taxation-explains-britains-history
What explains Britain’s history? In a word: tax
Taxation may not seem a compelling subject for a book, but levies such as the Corn Laws have proved pivotal in shaping our story, says Dominic Frisby.
22 Nov 2019
Visit/518498/the-one-thing-a-divided-britain-can-agree-on
The biggest threat to capitalism right now isn't Jeremy Corbyn
The greatest danger to capitalism isn't a far-left Corbyn government, it's the rise of powerful corporations distorting the free market.
21 Nov 2019
Visit/517999/beware-of-cash-isa-scams
Beware of cash Isa scams
Fraudsters have been targeting savers by offering unrealistically high interest rates on cash Isas.
19 Nov 2019
Visit/517964/dont-squeeze-our-entrepreneurs
Don’t squeeze our entrepreneurs with higher taxes
Britain’s entrepreneurs and business innovators get generous tax breaks. They should keep getting them.
17 Nov 2019
Visit/517577/pensions-income-drawdown-time-bomb
The pension income-drawdown time bomb
Some pension savers being paid a regular income from their retirement funds could be heading for disaster.
13 Nov 2019
Visit/517566/protecting-your-home
How to protect your home from burglars
As the days get shorter, burglars get busier. But there are simple steps you can take to guard your property.
12 Nov 2019
Visit/517570/keep-an-eye-on-pension-fees
Keep an eye on pension fees
If you have invested in a private pension, just make sure you aren’t eroding your returns by paying hefty fees.
12 Nov 2019
Visit/517778/the-return-of-the-wealth-tax
The return of the wealth tax
The changing political climate, particularly in the US, has put the idea of wealth taxes back on the agenda. But does this make economic sense?
9 Nov 2019
Visit/517329/time-to-remortgage-shop-around
Time to remortgage? Make sure you shop around
Forget being loyal to your lender when you remortgage – the best deals are often only offered to new customers.
5 Nov 2019
Visit/517496/how-debt-has-broken-the-breakdown-recovery-business
How debt has broken the breakdown recovery business
Both the RAC and AA have been saddled with huge debts by private equity owners. It;s not done them any favours at all.
4 Nov 2019
Visit/516958/a-final-salary-pensions-muddle
A final-salary pensions muddle
People saving into a final-salary pension scheme who are receiving compensation for past discrimination may end up with big tax bills.
30 Oct 2019
Visit/517222/why-are-charities-not-spending-the-money-theyve-raised
Why are charities not spending the money they’ve raised?
Rather than spend their donors’ money on charitable causes, a huge number of charities are hoarding cash and investing it. They should be spending it …
29 Oct 2019
Visit/516959/how-to-pick-up-foreign-cash-on-the-cheap
How to pick up foreign cash on the cheap
Ruth Jackson-Kirby outlines several hassle-free options for getting foreign cash that will keep your holiday costs down.
29 Oct 2019
Visit/517029/healthcare-reform-will-america-get-its-own-nhs
Healthcare reform: will America get its own NHS?
Not even socialist Bernie Sanders goes quite that far, but a radical shake-up of America’s healthcare system looks to be on the cards.
26 Oct 2019
Visit/516915/the-future-of-money-is-borderless-and-difficult-to-tax
The future of money is borderless – and difficult to tax
Borderless money was once the norm, says Dominic Frisby. We used it for centuries before the era of the nation state. And as the physical economy dema…
23 Oct 2019
Visit/516690/is-it-time-for-you-to-get-a-new-energy-deal
Is it time for you to get a new energy deal?
You may well be paying too much for your gas and electricity. But finding a cheaper energy deal isn’t difficult and could save you a lot of money.
22 Oct 2019
Visit/516631/scotland-is-taxing-itself-to-death
Scotland is taxing itself to death
The authorities in Scotland are undermining the economy’s appeal. They had better watch out, says Matthew Lynn.
20 Oct 2019
Visit/516603/how-tax-has-shaped-the-course-of-human-history
How tax has shaped the course of human history
Taxation is as old as civilisation itself. But how much is too much? Dominic Frisby looks at how taxation, war and society have evolved together over …
16 Oct 2019
Visit/516335/child-trust-funds-where-is-your-childs-cash
Child Trust Funds: where is your child’s cash?
Your offspring may have a child trust fund tucked away. If so, their money is being consumed by fees
15 Oct 2019
Visit/516479/one-example-of-the-madness-of-our-inheritance-tax-rules
One example of the madness of our inheritance tax rules
Our system of inheritance tax is needlessly complicated, says Merryn Somerset Webb. Here, she outlines one way in which the well-off could save over £…
14 Oct 2019
Visit/516314/pensions-freeze-is-a-slap-in-the-face-for-ge-employees
Pensions freeze is a slap in the face for GE employees
Bad news for workers at General Electric (GE). The company will be freezing retirement benefits for 20,000 employees in order to cut billions from its…
10 Oct 2019
Visit/516007/how-the-governments-pension-protection-fund-works
How the government's Pension Protection Fund works
The Pension Protection Fund deals with defined-benefit schemes when an employer goes bust. David Prosser explains how it works.
9 Oct 2019
Visit/516012/why-you-should-write-a-will-and-how-to-do-it-for-free
Why you should write a will – and how to do it for free
Most of us haven’t written one. But it’s crucial that you leave your financial affairs in order when you die.
8 Oct 2019
Visit/516133/the-dangers-of-negative-interest-rates
The dangers of negative interest rates
Negative interest rates could spark the next financial crisis. And central bankers could end up the object of the public's wrath, says Merryn Somerset…
7 Oct 2019
Visit/515697/backing-business-debt
Small business owners should beware when backing their business debt
A personal guarantee makes you liable for your firm’s debt. Tread very carefully.
2 Oct 2019