Understanding UK tax doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re employed, self-employed, a landlord, or retired, this guide explains every tax you might encounter and links to our detailed guides for each one.
The UK tax system collects revenue through multiple channels — Income Tax and National Insurance on earnings, Capital Gains Tax on investment profits, Inheritance Tax on estates, Stamp Duty on property, Council Tax on homes, and VAT on spending. Most people interact primarily with Income Tax and National Insurance, which are deducted automatically through PAYE if you’re employed.
This hub brings together all of our UK tax guides in one place. Whether you need to check your tax code, understand your take-home pay, file your first Self Assessment, or plan to reduce your tax bill, start here.
Income Tax
The foundation of UK taxation. Income Tax applies to wages, pensions, rental income, and most other earnings above your Personal Allowance.
- Income Tax Guide UK — Complete overview of how Income Tax works
- Income Tax Explained — Bands, rates, and how it’s calculated
- UK Tax Brackets 2026/27 — Current rates and thresholds
- Tax Brackets Quick Reference — At-a-glance rate card
- Personal Allowance 2026/27 — Your tax-free amount
- Scottish Income Tax Rates — Different rates for Scotland
- Scottish Income Tax Explained — How Scottish tax differs
- What Happens If You Earn Over £100k — The 60% tax trap explained
- How Much Can I Earn Tax-Free? — All tax-free allowances
- Tax-Free Income Sources — Income that isn’t taxed
Take-Home Pay Guides
See exactly what you’ll take home at every salary level, after tax and National Insurance.
- Take-Home Pay Calculator Guide — How to calculate your net pay
- Take-Home Pay on £25,000 — Starter salary breakdown
- Take-Home Pay on £30,000 — Common salary level
- Take-Home Pay on £35,000 — Median salary breakdown
- Take-Home Pay on £40,000 — Above-average earnings
- Take-Home Pay on £45,000 — Higher earner breakdown
- Take-Home Pay on £50,000 — Higher-rate threshold
- Take-Home Pay on £60,000 — Child Benefit taper zone
- Take-Home Pay on £70,000 — Senior professional level
- Take-Home Pay on £80,000 — Management level
- Take-Home Pay on £100,000 — The £100k tax trap
- Take-Home Pay Scotland Differences — Scottish vs rUK comparison
National Insurance
The second deduction from your pay, funding the State Pension and NHS.
- National Insurance Guide — How NI works and what it funds
- National Insurance Explained — Classes, rates, and thresholds
- National Insurance Rates 2026/27 — Current contribution rates
- NI Rates Quick Reference — At-a-glance rate card
- Find Your National Insurance Number — How to find or replace it
- Employer NI Cost Calculator — What employers pay on top
Tax Codes
Your tax code determines how much tax-free income you get. Getting it wrong means over or underpaying tax.
- Tax Codes Explained — What each letter and number means
- Understanding Your Tax Code — How to read yours
- Tax Code Checker Guide — Is your code correct?
- Can I Change My Tax Code? — How to get it corrected
- What Happens If I Get the Wrong Tax Code — Impact and how to fix it
Self Assessment & Tax Returns
For self-employed people, landlords, higher earners, and those with complex tax affairs.
- Self Assessment Guide — Complete SA overview
- Self Assessment Tax Return Guide — Step-by-step filing guide
- Self Assessment Deadlines — Key dates for 2026/27
- Self Assessment Last-Minute Guide — Filing at the deadline
- Tax Return Deadline Guide — All important dates
- PAYE vs Self Assessment — Which system applies to you
- What Happens If You Don’t File — Penalties and interest
- How to Correct a Tax Return — Fixing mistakes
- How to Get a UTR Number — Your Self Assessment reference
Self-Employed Tax
Tax obligations for sole traders, freelancers, and partnerships.
- Self-Employment Tax Guide — Complete self-employed tax overview
- Self-Employed Tax Guide — What you owe and when
- Self-Employment Tax Calculator — Estimate your tax bill
- Side Hustle Tax Calculator — Tax on extra income
- What Happens If You Don’t Tell HMRC About Side Income — Risks of non-disclosure
- Making Tax Digital — MTD requirements and deadlines
- Making Tax Digital for Landlords — Property income MTD
Capital Gains Tax
Tax on profits when you sell assets like investments, property, or valuables.
- Capital Gains Tax Guide — How CGT works
- CGT Calculator — Calculate what you owe
- CGT Allowance 2026/27 — Current annual exempt amount
- CGT on Property — Selling a second home
- CGT Property Guide — Detailed property CGT rules
Inheritance Tax
Planning for estates over the nil-rate band.
- Inheritance Tax Guide — How IHT works
- IHT Calculator — Check if IHT applies
- IHT Threshold 2026 — Current nil-rate bands
- How to Avoid IHT Legally — Legitimate planning strategies
- Gifting Money to Children — The 7-year rule explained
- Gift Tax Guide — Tax on gifts during your lifetime
- What Happens If You Die Without a Will — Intestacy rules
Stamp Duty & Property Tax
Tax when buying property, plus property-related taxes.
- Stamp Duty Calculator — Calculate what you’ll pay
- Stamp Duty Refund Calculator — Check if you’re owed money back
- LBTT Calculator — Scottish property tax
- LTT Calculator — Welsh property tax
- Property Tax Guide — All property-related taxes
- Buy-to-Let Tax Guide — Landlord tax rules
- Landlord Tax Return Guide — Reporting rental income
- Furnished Holiday Let Tax Changes — Recent rule changes
Council Tax
Local taxation on residential properties.
- Council Tax Guide — How council tax works
- Council Tax Calculator Guide — Check your band
- Council Tax Bands Challenge — How to appeal your band
- How to Read Your Council Tax Bill — Understanding your bill
- How to Reduce Council Tax — Discounts and exemptions
- What Happens If You Miss a Council Tax Payment — Consequences and options
Tax Allowances & Reliefs
Allowances and reliefs that reduce your tax bill.
- Tax Allowances Guide — All available allowances
- Tax Relief Guide — Understanding tax relief
- Marriage Allowance Guide — Transfer allowance to your spouse
- Marriage Allowance Explained — Who qualifies
- Marriage Allowance 2026/27 — Current figures
- Marriage Allowance Calculator — Calculate your savings
- Pension Tax Relief Guide — Tax relief on pension contributions
- Pension Tax Relief Calculator — Calculate your relief
- Salary Sacrifice Guide — Tax-efficient workplace benefits
- Salary Sacrifice Calculator — Calculate your savings
- Working From Home Tax Relief — Claiming for remote work
- Uniform Tax Relief — Claiming for work clothing
- Allowable Expenses Guide — What you can deduct
Dividends
Tax on company dividends and investment income.
- Dividend Tax Guide — How dividend tax works
- Dividend Allowance 2026/27 — Tax-free dividend amount
- Dividend vs Salary Calculator — Which is more tax-efficient
VAT
Value Added Tax for businesses.
- VAT Guide — How VAT works
- VAT Registration Guide — When and how to register
Student Loans & Education
- Student Loan Repayment Calculator — What you repay monthly
- Student Loan Calculator Guide — Understanding repayment
- Student Loan Thresholds 2026/27 — Current repayment thresholds
- Student Loan Write-Off Dates — When loans are cancelled
Tax Refunds & Problems
Getting money back from HMRC and handling tax issues.
- How to Claim Tax Back — Getting an HMRC refund
- HMRC Tax Refund Guide — Overpaid tax process
- Overpaid Tax Calculator — Check if you’ve overpaid
- What Happens If You Overpay Tax — How refunds work
- HMRC Tax Investigation Guide — What to expect
- HMRC Time to Pay — Payment plans for tax bills
Employment Tax
Company car tax, share schemes, redundancy, and P45/P60 explained.
- Company Car Tax (BIK) — Benefit in kind rules
- Employee Share Schemes — Tax on company shares
- Share Schemes Guide — Types of share schemes
- Redundancy Pay Calculator — Your tax-free entitlement
- P45 Explained — What it is and when you get one
- P60 Explained — Your annual tax summary
Tax-Efficient Investing & Crypto
- Tax-Efficient Investing Guide — ISAs, pensions, VCTs, and EIS
- Crypto Tax Guide — Tax on cryptocurrency
- Crypto Staking Tax — Tax on staking rewards
- Airbnb Income Tax — Holiday letting tax rules
- Digital Nomad Tax — Working abroad and UK tax
IR35 & Contractor Tax
- IR35 Guide — Off-payroll working rules
- IR35 Contractor Guide — Inside vs outside IR35
- Non-Domicile Tax Changes — Non-dom rule changes
Tax Year Planning
- Tax Year Dates Guide — Key dates for the tax year
- Tax Year End Checklist — Actions before 5 April
- Tax Year End Guide — Planning for year end
- New Tax Year April 2026 Changes — What changed
- Spring Budget 2026 Guide — Budget announcements
- Autumn Statement 2026 — What to expect
Scotland & Wales
- Scotland-Specific Finances — Scottish tax overview
- Wales-Specific Finances — Welsh tax overview
- Child Benefit Tax Calculator — HICBC calculator