UK Tax Guides & Articles
Plain English guides to UK tax, pensions, property and financial planning. Updated for 2026/27.
How Much Tax Do I Pay on a £40,000 Salary in 2026/27?
Complete breakdown of income tax and National Insurance on a £40,000 salary. See exactly what you take home monthly and yearly.
The 60% Tax Trap Explained: How Earning Over £100k Costs You More
Understand the 60% tax trap between £100,000 and £125,140. Learn how personal allowance taper works and strategies to reduce your effective tax rate.
Is Salary Sacrifice Pension Worth It? The Complete Guide for 2026
How salary sacrifice pension works, how much you save on tax and NI, and whether it is worth it for your situation. With worked examples.
Dividend vs Salary: The Most Tax-Efficient Way to Pay Yourself in 2026/27
How to pay yourself from a limited company. Compare salary, dividends and the optimal mix for minimum tax. Updated for 2026/27.
Stamp Duty for First-Time Buyers 2026: Complete Guide to FTB Relief
How much stamp duty first-time buyers pay in 2026. Rates, thresholds, eligibility rules and how to claim relief. Updated April 2025.
Student Loan Plan 2 Repayment: Threshold, Rate and How Long to Pay Off
Everything about Plan 2 student loan repayments. Current threshold, monthly deductions, interest rates and whether you will ever pay it off.
Self-Employed Tax Guide 2026/27: Everything Sole Traders Need to Know
Complete guide to self-employed tax in the UK. Income tax, Class 4 NI, allowable expenses, payment on account and Self Assessment deadlines.
10 Legal Ways to Reduce Your Tax Bill in the UK for 2026
Legitimate strategies to reduce your income tax, from pension contributions to marriage allowance. No loopholes, just smart planning.
Corporation Tax Marginal Relief Explained: Rates Between £50k–£250k Profit
How corporation tax marginal relief works for profits between £50,000 and £250,000. Calculation, examples and effective rates.
Capital Gains Tax on Property 2026: Rates, Exemptions and How to Calculate
How much CGT you pay when selling a property in 2026. Residential rates, annual exempt amount, private residence relief and payment deadlines.
Tax on £50,000 Salary UK: Full 2026/27 Breakdown
Complete breakdown of income tax and NI on a £50,000 salary. See your take-home pay monthly and yearly with all deductions explained.
Tax on £30,000 Salary UK: Take-Home Pay for 2026/27
How much tax you pay on a £30,000 salary in the UK. Monthly and yearly take-home pay breakdown with income tax and NI calculations.
Tax on £60,000 Salary UK: Higher Rate Tax Explained
Complete tax breakdown on a £60,000 salary. How higher rate tax works, how much you keep, and strategies to reduce your tax bill.
How Much Mortgage Can I Afford on My Salary? UK Guide 2026
How to calculate how much mortgage you can get based on your UK salary. Income multiples, affordability rules and deposit requirements explained.
National Insurance Rates 2026/27: How Much NI Do You Pay?
Complete guide to UK National Insurance rates for employees, self-employed and employers. Thresholds, rates and how NI is calculated.
UK Personal Allowance 2026/27: What It Is and How It Works
Everything about the £12,570 personal allowance. How it works, when you lose it, marriage allowance transfer, and how to maximise your tax-free income.
VAT Threshold UK 2026: When Do You Need to Register?
Current UK VAT registration threshold, how to check if you need to register, and what happens when you go over the limit.
Inheritance Tax Threshold 2026: Nil Rate Band and RNRB Explained
Current UK inheritance tax thresholds. Nil rate band (£325k), residence nil rate band (£175k), spouse exemption and how to reduce your IHT bill.
Pension Annual Allowance 2026/27: How Much Can You Put In?
Current pension annual allowance limits, tapered allowance for high earners, carry forward rules and what happens if you exceed the limit.
UK Tax Brackets 2026/27: Income Tax Rates and Bands
All UK income tax brackets for 2026/27. Personal allowance, basic rate, higher rate and additional rate thresholds with examples.
Buy-to-Let Tax UK 2026: Landlord Tax Guide for Rental Income
How rental income is taxed in the UK. Income tax on rent, mortgage interest relief, capital gains on sale, and stamp duty surcharge for landlords.
Marriage Allowance: How to Save £252 Per Year on Tax
How to claim Marriage Allowance and save £252 annually. Eligibility, how to apply, backdating claims and whether it is worth it.
10 Tax Tips Every UK Freelancer Should Know in 2026
Essential tax tips for UK freelancers and contractors. Allowable expenses, payment on account, flat rate scheme and common mistakes to avoid.
When Is Your Student Loan Written Off? UK Plan 1, 2, 4 and 5
When each student loan plan gets written off in the UK. Plan 1, 2, 4 and 5 write-off dates, and whether you should try to repay early.
Stamp Duty on Second Homes 2026: 5% Surcharge Explained
How much extra stamp duty you pay on a second home or buy-to-let property. The 5% surcharge with worked examples and when you can claim a refund.
Pension Tax Relief Explained: How It Works and How Much You Get
How pension tax relief works in the UK. Basic rate, higher rate and additional rate relief. Relief at source vs net pay arrangements.
UK Tax Codes Explained: What the Numbers and Letters Mean
How to read your UK tax code. What 1257L means, common tax codes, emergency codes, and what to do if your tax code is wrong.
Side Hustle Tax UK: Do I Need to Pay Tax on Extra Income?
When you need to pay tax on side income in the UK. The £1,000 trading allowance, when to register for Self Assessment, and how much to set aside.
Scottish Income Tax Rates 2026/27: How Scotland Differs from England
Scottish income tax bands and rates for 2026/27. Six tax bands from 19% to 48%, compared with England and Wales rates.
Company Car Tax (BIK) 2026: How Much Will You Pay?
How company car tax works in the UK. Benefit in kind rates, electric vs petrol cars, P11D value and how to calculate your tax bill.