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Cutting Tax: Discussions that will help you
To help you find the Cutting Tax threads quicker and easier we're collating our previous sticky/pinned threads into one single post. Cutting Tax board: Tax instructions - please read Useful Websites TaxCalc alternative? How does the Taxman Know? Inheritance Tax Planning Useful Tools to Help With Taxes Washing Uniform at…
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musing on putting a holiday home in the name of adult kids
Just musing at this point. We have a holiday home abroad that we are considering selling. I know CGT will be payable, here and abroad. If we do sell, we would then buy a holiday home in the UK to make travelling easier than having to fly abroad. We are early 60s with 2 adult children in their 30s who are already home…
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Online communication with HMRC
I'm not sure if this is the right place. If not, perhaps someone can redirect me. I completed my Self-Assessment tax return on 3 January and paid the tax on 7 January. Today I received a letter from them dated 6 January, ie before the payment, acknowledging the return but containing details which I want to clarify. My…
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One in five councils in Eng/Wal getting it wrong on Council Tax Carers Discount
An investigation by MoneySavingExpert.com into 'the councils that couldn't Care less' has found that, in a spot check, at least 69 councils in England and Wales have information about the live-in Carer Council Tax discount on their websites that incorrectly indicates far fewer people are eligible than really are. This is…
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Scottish Budget 2026: Income Tax and Council Tax changes confirmed – here's what they mean for you
Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison has announced a rise in some Income Tax thresholds, new Council Tax bands for high-value properties, and an increase to the Scottish Child Payment, plus more as part of the Scottish Budget for 2026-27. We've rounded up the key changes and what they mean for you... Read the full…
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Self Assessment - GovGateway ID says not used in 3-years
Hi, The last time I required to logon to to HMRC GovGateway was 3-years ago. Fast forward and I went to logon to submit my return for 2024-2025, but when I logon I get below error. We have deleted this user ID and password. This is to protect you against malicious or fraudulent attempts to access your details. It could be…
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Payments on account for savings interest?
Assuming your only income were to be savings interest, or you were to earn more in savings interest than from PAYE/pension, would you liable to pay payments on account to HMRC? It's unclear from what I can see online, as everything talks about tax, but also class 4 NICs, indicating that it's applicable from some form of…
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Tax return and Student Loan repayment
I'm presently filling in my UK tax return and I got a nasty surprise. For context, I have a full time job as an employeee, but over the last few years I have a local stall, (very low turnover) selling collectable items I paid off my student loan via a lump sum in late April 2024, so only £146 was taken from my pay during…
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Unmarried couple with two properties - CGT & Council Tax queries
Bit of a long thread, but I want to ensure I remain compliant with tax laws but do not over-pay unnecessarily: * My partner and I - we are not married and will not be getting married - have sold our two flats that we owned before we met. * He will stay with his Mum until we purchase a house together, hopefully later this…
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AIA - Acquisition & Disposal in Same Tax Year
Hi all! Just a quick question re: AIA, if someone could assist? I'm a sole trader, not VAT registered. I purchased a computer in the tax year 20-21 for £1000. I apportioned 60% for business use, 40% private use. I therefore claimed £600 AIA in my 20-21 tax return. In the last tax year 24-25, I sold the above computer for…
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Anyone challenged a council for double Council tax charge on ones only property?
After running out of funds completely refurbishing/modernising my only property, I was unable to finish it and move back in for three and a half years. Thus, after a given period my local council informed me they would be charging me double council tax on the property. On enquiring with them why they would do such a thing…
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tiny salary but lump sum for a house deposit means SLC want half son's salary's worth this year
My son is struggling on an entry level teacher's salary. He has a small amount deducted each month for student undergraduate and postgraduate loans as just over the thresholds. As a trust beneficiary he received £70,000 from a trust in the tax year 2024-5 for a house deposit, which he then used to buy a tiny 1-bed place…
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Finalisation of inheritance tax.
I've recently had to sort out my late mother's estate and this included paying the IHT that was due. The sum required was calculated by an agent who specialises in this and the amount estimated to be owed along with all of the associated forms has been submitted to HMRC a few couple of months ago. Does anyone know how long…
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Requirement to register for self-assessment
Just before Christmas I received a letter from HMRC stating that I asked to register for self-assessment or met a criteria for needing to be registered. It can only be the latter, as I haven't asked, and do have some house sale proceeds earning interest. I am retired, on a modest pension, but the building society interest…
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Which wrappers to take income from in retirement
I am trying to work out the most tax-efficient way to draw
pension income from SIPPs and ISAs (dividends and interest). Our situation is: Me: £2k-£5k earned income (might take on more work but
unlikely), SP in 2028 OH: £14k in pensions and £6k earned income. Our investments/cash are about 50% in SIPPs, 25% in ISAs,…
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Frustration with HMRC.
I'm trying to contact HMRC this Saturday morning by phone and according to this they're open from 8am. https://www.gov.uk/find-hmrc-contacts/income-tax-enquiries However, I'm having no joy and a voice is telling me they're not currently open. I've received a notification telling me I'm underpaid tax on savings, all to do…
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Scrapping of home working expenses tax relief
One budget announcement that seems to have sneaked under the radar (haven't seen it mentioned on here, apologies if I missed it) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/income-tax-removal-of-the-tax-relief-for-additional-homeworking-expenses Interestingly employers can still reimburse costs but individuals can't claim…
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Higher tax rate
In June 2025 I ended my civil service career on medical inefficiency grounds for which I received a compensation payment. With unused holiday, payment lieu of notice and the actual compensation my final payment was approximately £120k. I paid £47k in tax on this payment which I believe was excessive. I have now started a…
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Self Assessment and overpayment...
I have overpaid tax repayment from last years return. According to my HMRC account this overpayment is available for repayment. However, I am about to submit my return for 2024/25 and anticipate I will owe some tax. How can I offset this with the overpayment sitting in my account from last years return?
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Doing tax return, questions about different income sources
I've worked out after deducting expenses from income on self employed work I earned £250. I worked for two companies mainly. I think first didn't pay my tax (not sure) but second did. Do I input these figures in photo from my P60 into my tax return? Are they from the two companies? As well as my self employed income or do…
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Calculating max SIPP withdrawal to avoid 20% tax
I am heading towards retirement a couple of years before accessing SP and want to withdraw the max from my SIPP to avoid paying 20% tax. On https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-tax-on-your-savings-or-dividend-income/start/tax-year I have entered: Dividend income £13,500 Savings £3,500 Other income £15,170. The…
