Tax guides
HMRC
Your starting point for anything tax-related. What HMRC does, how to contact it, how to set up your Personal Tax Account, and what to do if HMRC has made a mistake.
Self Assessment
If you are self-employed, have investment income, or earn above £100,000, you file a Self Assessment return. Covers who needs to file, key deadlines, and the payments on account shock that catches first-time filers out.
PAYE
Most employees pay income tax and National Insurance through PAYE. How PAYE works, how to read your payslip, what a P60 is, and how to reclaim an overpayment.
Tax codes
Your tax code tells HMRC how much income tax to deduct from your pay. Most people never check it. If it is wrong, you could be overpaying or underpaying without knowing.
National Insurance
NI is separate from income tax and funds the state pension, NHS, and certain benefits. What NI is, the different classes, and why gaps in your NI record matter.
Stamp Duty
Tax you pay when buying property in England and Northern Ireland. The banded system explained, first-time buyer relief, the 14-day payment deadline, and the HMRC calculator.
Inheritance Tax
Charged at 40% on estates above the nil rate band. Most estates pay nothing, but rising property values mean more families need to understand the rules than ever before.
Capital Gains Tax
Tax on the profit when you sell assets like shares, a second home, or investments. Rates changed in October 2024. The annual exempt amount has been cut sharply in recent years.
Not sure where to start?
If your tax code looks wrong and you are employed, start at tax codes. If you are self-employed and need to file a return, go to Self Assessment. Buying property takes you to stamp duty. Dealing with an estate or planning ahead for one goes to inheritance tax. Sold shares, a second property, or another investment? That is capital gains tax. And if you need to get in touch with HMRC directly, the contact guide has the right numbers and routes by department.
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