Tax & HMRC

Local Government Reorganisation: 14 More Areas Confirmed

The government confirmed on 16 July 2026 that 134 councils across 14 more areas of England, including Kent, Hertfordshire and Nottinghamshire, will become 38 unitary authorities. Here is what changes, when, and what's still undecided.

16 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

CMA Takes Action on Private Parking Charges for Drivers

The CMA has opened an investigation into Euro Car Parks and written to the wider private parking sector over appeals and extra fees. Private operators issued around 14.4 million tickets in 2024/25. Here is what the action means and how to appeal.

16 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Great British Summer Savings: VAT Cut to 5% on Cinema Tickets, Days Out and Kids' Meals Until 1 September

A temporary VAT cut from 20% to 5% applies to children's meals, cinema tickets and family days out until 1 September 2026. Here's how to find the 1,700+ participating businesses near you and what to check before booking.

15 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Council Tax 2026-27: Average Bill Rise and the New High-Value Surcharge Explained

Average Band D council tax in England rises to £2,392 for 2026-27, up 4.9%. New High Value Council Tax Surcharge on £2m+ homes under consultation, expected from April 2028.

14 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

Pay-Per-Mile Car Tax (eVED) for Electric Vehicles: What the Consultation Response Confirms

Government confirms pay-per-mile tax for electric cars from April 2028: 3p a mile for EVs, 1.5p for plug-in hybrids, no GPS tracking, on top of existing road tax.

14 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

HMRC Timely Payments Consultation: Monthly Tax Bills for the Self-Employed Explained

HMRC's timely payments consultation could see 2.1 million Self Assessment taxpayers with PAYE income move to monthly tax collection from April 2029. Consultation closes 4 August 2026.

14 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

OBR Warns UK Debt Could Hit 300% of GDP: What It Means for You

The OBR's 50-year outlook warns UK debt could triple without action. These are scenarios, not predictions, but they point clearly toward sustained tax pressure and questions over the pension triple lock. Here's what's actually in the report.

12 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

NHS Bowel Cancer Screening: Full 2024-25 Data and Private Insurance Options

Complete NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme data for England, 2024-25: coverage, uptake, regional and deprivation gaps, and diagnostic test delays, plus what private health insurance actually covers if you want screening outside the NHS programme.

11 Jul 2026 · 7 min read

Estonia Digital Nomad Visa for UK Citizens 2026: Income, Tax and the Non-Renewable Rule

Estonia's digital nomad visa income threshold has risen to €4,500 a month in 2026. The visa remains valid for up to a year and cannot be renewed: holders must leave and reapply from scratch.

11 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Returning to the UK After Living Abroad: Tax, NI and Residence

Coming back to the UK re-engages the Statutory Residence Test, can trigger split-year treatment, and may pull certain gains and income back into UK tax under the temporary non-residence rules if you return within 5 years.

11 Jul 2026 · 7 min read

UK Tax Residence When Working Abroad: Statutory Residence Test 2026

The Statutory Residence Test decides whether HMRC taxes your worldwide income or just your UK income. Here is how the automatic tests, the sufficient ties test, and split-year treatment actually work for UK citizens working abroad.

11 Jul 2026 · 7 min read

Leaving the UK: Form P85, Tax Refunds and What HMRC Needs

Form P85 tells HMRC you are leaving the UK and can trigger an Income Tax refund for your year of departure. Here is when to use it, when to use Self Assessment instead, and how the refund actually works.

11 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa for UK Citizens 2026: Income, Fees, Tax

Portugal's D8 visa income threshold rose to €3,680 a month in 2026. A separate 2026 law also doubled the residency period needed before D8 holders can apply for Portuguese citizenship, from 5 years to 10.

11 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Malta Nomad Residence Permit for UK Citizens 2026: Income, Tax, and Why It's Unaffected by the ECJ Ruling

Malta's Nomad Residence Permit requires €42,000 a year and offers a 10% flat tax rate. Unlike Malta's former citizenship-by-investment route, it was not touched by the 2025 ECJ ruling, because it grants residence, not citizenship.

11 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Greece Digital Nomad Visa for UK Citizens 2026: Income, Tax, and the New Consulate-Only Rule

Greece's Digital Nomad Visa requires €3,500 a month and offers a 50% income tax reduction for up to 7 years. Since February 2026, applications must go through a Greek consulate; in-country applications are no longer accepted.

11 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Spain Digital Nomad Visa for UK Citizens 2026: Income, Fees, Tax

Spain's digital nomad visa income threshold rose to 2,849 euros a month in 2026. Here is what UK citizens actually need to qualify, apply and understand about the Beckham Law tax regime.

10 Jul 2026 · 7 min read

Vape Crackdown Targets Kids: Plain Packaging and New Tax From October

The UK government has launched a 12-week consultation on plain white packaging and shop display restrictions for vapes and nicotine pouches marketed at children, alongside a new Vaping Products Duty starting 1 October 2026.

10 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

Andy Burnham and Land Value Tax: What's Being Proposed

No land value tax has been formally proposed, but the idea has returned to the spotlight following Keir Starmer's resignation. Here's what's actually on the table and what it could mean.

9 Jul 2026 · 7 min read

Tax Speculation Builds Ahead of Autumn Statement

Speculation over possible tax changes is building ahead of the next fiscal statement, as commentators weigh up what a summer of uncertainty could mean for household finances.

7 Jul 2026 · 1 min read

Andy Burnham's Tax and Property Proposals: What Homeowners and Taxpayers Should Know

Keir Starmer remains Prime Minister but is standing down once a successor is chosen. Andy Burnham, the only declared candidate, has floated a land value tax and other property reforms. None of it is enacted policy yet, but here is what is on the table.

7 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Charity Energy Bills: The VAT Relief Many Charities Never Claim

How UK charities qualify for reduced 5% VAT and Climate Change Levy exemption on non-business energy use, and how to claim it if you have been overpaying.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Tax on Reinvested Dividends: How DRIP Investments Are Actually Taxed

How UK tax applies to dividend reinvestment plans (DRIP): why reinvested dividends are still taxable income, the dividend allowance, and the CGT complication at sale.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Reclaiming Overpaid Tax After Redundancy: The P50 Explained

How to reclaim overpaid tax after being made redundant in the UK using a P50 form, when to use it instead of waiting for your new employer, and how long refunds take.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Paying Tax on Freelance Income Alongside a PAYE Job

How UK tax works when you have freelance income on top of a PAYE job: the trading allowance threshold, Self Assessment, payments on account and National Insurance.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Tax-Free Pension Lump Sum: How the 25% Rule Actually Works

How the UK tax-free pension lump sum works, the Lump Sum Allowance cap, how final salary schemes calculate it differently, and how taking it can affect your tax.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

How to Transfer a Stocks and Shares ISA Without Losing the Tax Wrapper

How to transfer a UK Stocks and Shares ISA between providers using the official transfer process, cash vs in-specie transfers, and the mistakes that lose your tax-free status.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

The 60% Tax Trap: How Earning Over £100,000 Costs You More

Earn between £100,000 and £125,140 in the UK and your effective marginal tax rate can hit 60%. How the personal allowance taper works and the legal ways to reduce it.

5 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Andy Burnham's Property Tax Plan Would Replace Council Tax and Stamp Duty

Andy Burnham is reported to be examining a proposal to scrap council tax and stamp duty in favour of an annual property tax based on home value.

5 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

Council Tax Debt in England Hits £7.4 Billion, Up 11% in a Year

Outstanding council tax debt in England has reached £7.4 billion, up 11.3% on the year before, as debt charities call for collection rules to change.

2 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

5.6 Million People Check Pay in the HMRC App: Usage Data in Full

HMRC app usage data shows 5.6 million users this tax year, checking pay before payday an average of 18 times, alongside sharp growth in State Pension forecast and Child Benefit checks.

2 Jul 2026 · 3 min read