It might feel like the cost-of-living crisis has had us in its grip forever, but in fact it’s been two years since inflation began the upward trajectory that has seen our incomes squeezed and our saving ability squashed.
When the Marriage Allowance was announced in April 2015, the government boasted that some four million married couples and 15,000 civil partners would be able to benefit from it. The Marriage Allowance supports married couples across the country to mitigate their tax burdens – but not everyone who is eligible is taking advantage.
An important part of having a mortgage is ensuring it's protected in case of unexpected events. While life insurance may cover outstanding payments, there are other costs to consider such as council tax and utility bills.
This year (2023) has seen changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) that are impacting people across the country. Cuts to individuals’ annual CGT allowance mean a review of finances for many. Those who currently own a second property might be considering making changes to help mitigate their tax bill.
Effective inheritance tax (IHT) planning is a popular subject as many try to prepare for the future and protect their wealth as much as possible. Gifts to family and friends using gifting allowances is one way in which you can ensure that you can transfer your wealth with maximum efficiency.
When approaching retirement, ensuring you get the most out of your pension is paramount. With recent announcements from the government, you may be able to increase your contributions to the State Pension during a limited window.
If you ever fill in a tax return, you will be aware of the 31 January deadline to both file the return and pay the tax owed. But for many people, there is a second deadline six months later, with a requirement to make a payment on account to HMRC.
Saving for a deposit for a first home has become very difficult due to the high cost of living. This has prompted mortgage providers to launch home loans where you do not have to put down a deposit at all, and you can borrow all of the money needed to buy a property.
With interest rates rising but the stock market volatile, there is evidence that investors are looking for ways to mitigate risk if they are remaining invested. One popular strategy at present is buying into money market funds, funds that offer cash-like returns and near-cash safety within a pension or ISA.
