Private pensions: act early to avoid a big inheritance tax bill
Private pensions: act early to avoid a big inheritance tax bill
Frozen inheritance-tax thresholds mean HMRC is taking ever more in death duties. But there are steps you can take to avoid it, says David Prosser.
18 May 2022
What is a windfall tax?
What is a windfall tax?
Windfall taxes are levied on industries that have benefited the most from unusual economic conditions, earning above average profits. They are often a…
3 May 2022
Too embarrassed to ask: what is fiscal drag?
Too embarrassed to ask: what is fiscal drag?
How can politicians raise more tax revenue, without damaging their political popularity too badly? One way is by using “fiscal drag”. Here's what that…
3 May 2022
How salary sacrifice can help mitigate against National Insurance rise
How salary sacrifice can help mitigate against National Insurance rise
National Insurance is rising on 6 April but the good news is that salary sacrifice schemes are a good way to decrease taxable income, says David Pross…
2 Apr 2022
Rishi Sunak can’t fix all our problems – so why try?
Rishi Sunak can’t fix all our problems – so why try?
Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement is an attempt to plaster over problems the chancellor can’t fix. So should he even bother trying, asks Merryn Somerset …
28 Mar 2022
What makes up the price of a litre of petrol?
What makes up the price of a litre of petrol?
Rishi Sunak cut fuel duty by 5p today’s Spring Statement. But duty is only one component of the petrol price. Saloni Sardana explains just what makes…
23 Mar 2022
The National Insurance rise is not needed – Sunak should have ditched it
The National Insurance rise is not needed – Sunak should have ditched it
With our public finances in better shape than many people think, the chancellor's decision not to ditch the rise in National Insurance contributions i…
23 Mar 2022
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Who will pay for the cost of living crisis?
Who will pay for the cost of living crisis?
The cost of living is rising fast. You may be expecting the chancellor to use his spring Budget to help ease it. But you’re likely to be disappointed,…
21 Mar 2022
What the rise in National Insurance contributions means for you
What the rise in National Insurance contributions means for you
National Insurance contributions are due to increase from 6 April. Saloni Sardana explains the reasons behind the rise, and how much it will cost you.
17 Feb 2022
Tax return deadline extended – but don't forget to file
Tax return deadline extended – but don't forget to file
HMRC is being slightly more lenient about tax returns this year, but falling behind will still incur hefty fines.
25 Jan 2022
Made money in cryptocurrencies? Don’t forget to pay your taxes – in sterling
Made money in cryptocurrencies? Don’t forget to pay your taxes – in sterling
Speculating on cryptocurrencies is akin to gambling in all but one respect, says Merryn Somerset Webb: you must pay tax on any gains, and you must pay…
18 Jan 2022
Why we should scrap the Budget
Why we should scrap the Budget
The yearly Budget, big set-piece of British politics, encourages the very worst from the government, says Matthew Lynn.
24 Oct 2021
Tax planning
Tax planning
It can be easy to neglect planning your tax affairs until the end of the tax year comes round. But the earlier you start, the better your chances of a…
19 Oct 2021
Estate planning
Estate planning
Many find the idea of discussing inheritance uncomfortable, but failure to plan properly can leave your heirs with a hefty inheritance tax bill. This …
19 Oct 2021
How your pension can cut your inheritance tax bill
How your pension can cut your inheritance tax bill
Your retirement savings can help you maximise the amount of money you leave to your family.
11 Oct 2021
Salary sacrifice: how to earn less and save more into your pension
Salary sacrifice: how to earn less and save more into your pension
Changing the way that you save for retirement could help limit the damage of next year’s national insurance rise.
28 Sep 2021
The new social-care levy: an unfair tax that protects the “assetocracy”
The new social-care levy: an unfair tax that protects the “assetocracy”
The government’s regressive social-care levy will make Britain’s tax system even more complex.
Root-and-branch reform is long overdue.
18 Sep 2021
Dividend payout advantages drain away for small-business owners
Dividend payout advantages drain away for small-business owners
Life is getting harder for self-employed people and small business owners paying themselves through dividends rather than a salary”
17 Sep 2021
I wish I knew what a marginal tax rate was, but I’m too embarrassed to ask
I wish I knew what a marginal tax rate was, but I’m too embarrassed to ask
Your marginal tax rate is simply the tax rate you pay on each extra pound of income you earn. Here's how that works.
14 Sep 2021
Why the government's plan for funding social care is a lousy one
Why the government's plan for funding social care is a lousy one
Insisting that people use their property wealth to pay for social care is perfectly reasonable, says Merryn Somerset Webb.
10 Sep 2021
What’s better than two types of income tax? Three types of income tax!
What’s better than two types of income tax? Three types of income tax!
The government is to fund social care costs by raising National Insurance contributions and adding a “health and social care levy”. John Stepek looks …
7 Sep 2021
How can you avoid paying inheritance tax?
How can you avoid paying inheritance tax?
Middle-class families are being trapped by a tax designed for the rich reports Alex Rankine. He explains ways which inheritance tax (IHT) can be avoid…
12 Aug 2021