End-of-year tax planning

The UK tax landscape is shifting once again, and many people are reassessing what it means for their financial plans. In our recent webinar, Personal Finance Senior Manager Myron Jobson, and Financial Planning Divisional Lead Olly Cheng, explored the changes that could affect your personal finances and why thoughtful, early planning can make a meaningful difference.

As bonus season approaches, many people start thinking about the best way to put that extra income to work. A common question is whether it’s better to use a bonus to reduce a mortgage or to boost a pension. With interest rates having eased from recent highs, and with long‑term planning front-of-mind for many households, it’s a timely moment to revisit the trade‑offs.

More entrepreneurs are choosing to live and work across borders. New analysis commissioned by Rathbones shows that almost 6,000 high‑growth business owners left the UK between January 2024 and January 2026. It’s a striking change, and one that reflects how global and mobile modern business owners have become.

For many people approaching or already in retirement, tax-free free cash from pensions has long offered a valuable source of flexibility – saving tax today that can help compound your wealth in the future. From April 2027, most pension funds will be liable for inheritance tax, making it all the more important to think carefully about the timing and structure of withdrawals.

The UK tax system continues to evolve, and many people are feeling the impact. In our recent webinar, Myron Jobson spoke with Olly Cheng about the key changes shaping personal finances today, and how early, thoughtful planning can help you stay in control.

For many members of Generation Z, life is moving quickly. You may be starting your career, navigating rising living costs, or saving for your first major milestones. These are big moments, and they all rely on the same foundation: healthy financial habits.

Make the most of your allowances with our simple, step by step checklist.

Government bonds have been getting more attention lately, and with good reason. For many people, they may hold an underappreciated role in building long‑term, tax‑efficient wealth. Yet they’re often overlooked in favour of equities, cash, or the latest investment trend. So, could they really form a quiet cornerstone of thoughtful financial planning?

Family Investment Companies (FICs) have become an increasingly popular option for ultra-high net worth families who want a structured, flexible way to pass on wealth while keeping control over how it’s managed. As more people look for long-term, tax‑efficient ways to plan for the future, FICs offer an approach that sits between personal investing and traditional trusts. But what exactly are they, and who might they be right for?

Many UK investors reach a point where their Individual Savings Allowance (ISA) and pension allowances no longer offer enough room for long-term planning. When that happens, if you’ve already opened a general investment account (GIA), an offshore investment bond can be a helpful next step. It offers a tax‑efficient structure, flexibility around how and when gains become taxable, and options that can support family wealth and estate planning.

Many investors have already made full use of their individual savings accounts (ISAs) allowances before the end of the tax year. If that’s you, the good news is that there are still several ways to continue building long‑term wealth – while staying tax efficient.

Every so often, a change in legislation comes along that asks us to pause and reassess the fundamentals of financial planning. The government’s decision to include unused pension funds within inheritance tax (IHT) from 6 April 2027 is one of those moments. If you’ve seen headlines or heard snippets in the news, you may be wondering what this means for your retirement plans and the wealth you hope to pass on.

For people in their core wealth‑building years – typically their 30s and 40s – the tax landscape has shifted more in the past two years than in the previous decade. Recent Budgets have frozen key tax thresholds and introduced major changes to pensions, inheritance tax (IHT) and business reliefs. These aren’t distant, future issues. They influence how much income you keep, how quickly your wealth grows and how you plan ahead today.

Business Property Relief (BPR) can play an important role in inheritance tax (IHT) planning, particularly for business owners and investors in UK growth companies. It can reduce the value of certain business assets for IHT purposes, helping more of an estate pass to the next generation.

Tax planning is becoming increasingly important for high‑net‑worth individuals in 2026. While last November’s Budget appeared relatively modest in its immediate impact, earlier reforms now coming into effect could mean even wealthy families might experience rising tax pressure over the next few years.

Tax planning matters at every career stage, but for lawyers and accountants the stakes can rise quickly as earnings grow. The right decisions could help you keep more of what you earn, ease cash‑flow pressures and build long‑term financial security.