State benefits taxable and non-taxable
Many people rely on state benefits, but it is not always obvious which payments are taxable and which are tax-free.
HMRC’s guidance outlines the following list of the most common state benefits on which Income Tax is payable, subject to the usual limits:
Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow’s
Two important 2025 self-assessment deadlines
Paper tax returns are due 31 October 2025, and new registrants must notify HMRC by 5 October 2025. Act early to avoid penalties.
Firstly, the deadline for submitting paper self-assessment tax returns is 31 October 2025. If you miss this deadline a £100 late filing penalty will usually apply, even
Sharing income from jointly held property
The standard tax treatment for couples living together, whether married or in a civil partnership, is that income from jointly held property is split equally (50:50) between them, regardless of their actual ownership shares.
However, if the ownership is unequal and the couple wishes to have the
Tax-free income from letting a room in your home
Homeowners can earn up to £7,500 tax-free under the rent-a-room scheme, with simple reporting and flexible tax options.
This set of special rules is designed to encourage individuals to make use of spare space in their property by providing a tax exemption on rental income of up to £7,500 per tax
Dividend taxes will they increase?
Speculation is growing that rates or allowances applied to dividend income may change in the next Budget.
The current tax rates for dividends received (in excess of the £500 dividend tax allowance) are as follows:
8.75% for basic rate taxpayers will pay tax on dividends
33.75% for higher rate
What is the settlement legislation?
Thinking of gifting income to a spouse or partner? HMRC’s settlements rules may still tax it as your own.
The settlements legislation is contained in s.624 ITTOIA 2005. The legislation seeks to ensure that where a settlor has retained an interest in property in a settlement then the income arising
Are you selling goods or services on a digital platform?
From 2024, platforms like eBay, Vinted and Airbnb must report seller data to HMRC, so check your tax responsibilities.
If you sell goods or services on a digital platform it is important to understand your tax responsibilities. This can apply whether your sales are a part-time income source or your
Why your tax code might change
The letters in your tax code indicate whether you are entitled to the annual tax-free personal allowance. These codes are updated each year and help employers calculate how much tax should be deducted from your salary.
For the current tax year, the basic personal allowance is £12,570. The tax code
What are the current Income Tax bands and allowances?
Income Tax applies to earnings, pensions, savings, dividends and more, with different bands across the UK nations.
Individuals can be liable to Income Tax at any age. There are special rules to stop parents avoiding tax by putting assets into their children’s names.
The tables below shows the tax
MTD for IT taxpayer exemption
From April 2026, the self-employed and landlords must use MTD for IT, but exemptions may apply in limited cases.
If you are self-employed or a landlord with income over £50,000, you will need to prepare for digital record keeping, quarterly updates and a new penalty system. While most affected
