Why soaring interest rates are affecting national debt and could mean tax rises

High inflation and rising interest rates aren’t just affecting households, they’re affecting the UK’s public finances too. Forecasts suggest the government may need to implement tax rises to avoid debt spiralling. According to the Office for National Statistics, at the end of July 2023, public sector debt was an eye-watering £2.57 trillion. That is the equivalent of around 98.5% of …

Inheritance Tax could be scrapped to secure election votes

Reports suggest that the Conservative party will make scrapping Inheritance Tax (IHT) part of its manifesto pledge in a bid to secure the general election. Frozen tax thresholds meant HMRC raked in a record amount of IHT in the last tax year. Read on to find out more about the reports. While there have been reports that IHT would be …

Market volatility means thousands of families may have overpaid Inheritance Tax

Thousands of families may be entitled to an Inheritance Tax (IHT) rebate due to stock market volatility. As the government does not automatically refund estates when this happens, many families could be unaware they’ve overpaid. Overpaying IHT could occur if the value of assets falls between the benefactor passing away and the sale of them. Read on to find out …

The 3 types of tax you need to understand before investing in buy-to-let

Investing in property is often seen as a savvy way to boost your long-term wealth. But, if you’re thinking about becoming a landlord, there are three taxes you need to factor into your plans to avoid an unforeseen bill. Property prices have steadily increased in recent decades, so it’s not surprising that people are considering property investments. Even after short-term …

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Corporation Tax hike: Here are the essentials business owners need to know

The rate of Corporation Tax your business pays may have changed for the 2023/24 tax year. It could affect your profit margins and long-term plans, so it’s crucial you understand what the new rates could mean for your business. After a series of announcements and U-turns in 2022, you may not be fully aware of the changes to Corporation Tax. …

A father with his young daughter sitting on his shoulders.

Estate planning: Do you need to include Inheritance Tax?

Inheritance Tax (IHT) can affect what you leave behind for loved ones. It’s essential you understand if it’s something you need to think about, as there could be steps you can take to reduce a potential bill. Over the last few months, you’ve read about what estate planning is and how to calculate the value of your estate. Mitigating an …

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4 reasons you may want to boost your ISA before the tax year ends

You have until 5 April 2023 to make the most of your ISA allowance for the current tax year. If you want to boost your savings or investments, adding more to your ISA could make sense. For the 2022/23 tax year, you can add up to £20,000 to adult ISAs. The allowance is for each individual. So, if you’re planning …

A person using a calculator while looking at a graph on a tablet.

8 key tax allowances have shrunk by 6% in the last decade

Key tax allowances like the Personal Allowance and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) annual exempt amount can help your money go further. As research shows that overall tax allowances have been cut, it’s more important than ever to understand what allowances make sense for you, and how they can complement your financial plan. According to calculations by Quilter, over the last …