Tax news and updates
Plain-English coverage of HMRC, Treasury and gov.uk announcements. What changed, when it takes effect, who it affects, and what to do - each update linked to its primary source.
-
· Employment & Career
Council pay: the 2026/27 NJC spine is published, backdated to April
The 3.3% Green Book award settled in August and the uplifted spine was published on 24 August 2026. Pay is backdated to 1 April 2026, so most staff are owed five months of arrears, and the circular asks employers to pay ex-employees who request it.
-
· Employment & Career
Police pay rose 3.5% on 1 September, but the new scale is not published
Officers in England and Wales are owed 3.5% from 1 September 2026. The statutory determination that sets the new pay points has not been published, so nobody can yet state what any rank is paid.
-
· Employment & Career
Teacher pay rose 3.5% on 1 September, before the STPCD is published
Teachers in England moved onto the 2026/27 scale on 1 September. The figures come from the STRB's 36th Report, accepted in full, because the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document itself has not been published yet and will be backdated when it is.
-
· Inheritance & Estate
Pensions and inheritance tax: HMRC publishes how it will actually work
From 6 April 2027 most unused pension funds fall into the estate for inheritance tax. HMRC has published the machinery: an executor, or a prospective one before probate, can make a scheme withhold up to 50% of a death benefit for 15 months, and beneficiaries are jointly liable.
-
· Employment & Career
Company car fuel rates changed on 1 September 2026
Petrol over 2000cc rose to 27p a mile. Diesel fell to 16p for 1601 to 2000cc and 22p above that, and LPG over 2000cc fell to 20p. The electric rates are unchanged at 7p home and 15p public. Employers may use the previous rates for one month.
-
· Income Tax & Allowances
Budget confirmed for Wednesday 28 October 2026
The Budget date is confirmed as Wednesday 28 October 2026. Nothing about tax rates or thresholds has been announced - only the date and the stated framing of fiscal discipline and devolving spending.
-
· Employment & Career
Payrolling benefits in kind becomes mandatory from April 2027
Reporting benefits in kind through payroll becomes mandatory from April 2027 for company cars, car and van fuel, vans and medical benefits, with most other benefits following in April 2028. Loans and accommodation are deferred.
-
· Business & Company (LTD)
Business rates cut 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues from 2027/28
A new 20% business rates discount for pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England takes effect in 2027/28, worth about £1,100 a year to a typical pub. It is on top of existing hospitality relief, not instead of it.
-
· VAT
VAT on household electricity cut to 0% from October 2026
VAT on domestic electricity falls from 5% to 0% on 1 October 2026, worth about £45 a year off the Ofgem price cap for a typical household. Gas VAT is unchanged at 5%.
-
· Benefits & Credits
Child Benefit rates uprated for 2026/27: £27.05 and £17.90 a week
Child Benefit weekly rates increased to £27.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.90 for each additional child, up from £26.05 and £17.25 in 2025/26.
-
· Self-employment & Sole Trader
AMAP mileage rate rises from 45p to 55p per mile, backdated to 6 April 2026
The AMAP rate for cars and vans rises from 45p to 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles in a tax year, retrospectively from 6 April 2026. The rate above 10,000 miles stays at 25p.
-
· Self-employment & Sole Trader
MTD for Income Tax: first quarterly deadline is 7 August 2026
The first MTD ITSA quarterly update covering 6 April to 5 July 2026 must be filed by 7 August 2026.
-
· Income Tax & Allowances
Self Assessment: second payment on account due 31 July 2026
The second payment on account towards your 2025 to 2026 Self Assessment tax bill is due by midnight on 31 July 2026. You can pay in one go or spread the cost with a weekly or monthly plan.