With the new tax year fast approaching, many people are beginning to consider how previously announced tax changes will affect their obligations. However, it is equally important not to overlook the areas that are not changing, as these too can have a significant impact.
Below, we outline both the key changes and the unchanged thresholds that will shape the tax landscape for businesses and individuals.
What taxes are changing in 2026?
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax
2026 marks one of the most significant shifts in Income Tax reporting for decades, with the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.
Sole traders, landlords and self-employed individuals with income exceeding £50,000 will need to transition to digital record-keeping and submit quarterly updates in addition to an annual return.
Although penalties for missing deadlines will not apply until 2027, it remains important to comply with the new requirements from the outset.
Changes to Inheritance Tax Reliefs
Inheritance Tax is also undergoing notable reform. The new tax year introduces a £2.5 million cap on the 100 per cent relief provided by Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR).
Any value above this cap will instead qualify for only 50 per cent relief.
This change may prompt some business owners to consider early asset disposals. However, this strategy will no longer be as tax-efficient as before.
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR)
Business Asset Disposal Relief is increasing to 18 per cent, which will lead to higher Capital Gains Tax (CGT) liabilities for those disposing of qualifying business assets.
What taxes are staying the same in 2026?
Income Tax Thresholds
The thresholds for Income Tax have been frozen for several years and are expected to remain unchanged until 2031.
This freeze does not account for rising wages, including the latest increases in both the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the National Living Wage (NLW).
As a result:
- Full-time workers earning the NLW will, for the first time, find that over half their income is subject to Income Tax.
- More individuals will be pushed into the Higher Rate band.
Both outcomes reflect fiscal drag, where thresholds stay fixed while incomes rise, increasing tax exposure without improving real-world purchasing power.
Impact on Student Loan Repayments
The rise in NLW also intensifies the debate around student loan repayment.
For two of the four current plans, graduates earning only a full-time NLW will now be required to make repayments – despite loans originally being marketed as repayable once a “graduate-level” salary was achieved.
This discrepancy highlights the growing disconnect between frozen thresholds and actual economic conditions.
Impact on Businesses
Static thresholds may also create challenges for employers. Lower earners who see more of their income taxed may:
- Reduce their working hours, contributing to staffing shortages, or
- Experience reduced disposable income, affecting spending on non-essential goods and services.
How to prepare for the year ahead
The start of a new tax year offers an ideal opportunity to review your tax obligations and ensure both compliance and efficiency.
Our team can help you assess the impact of changing rates and static thresholds and identify opportunities to limit unnecessary exposure.
Get in touch to explore how to approach the new tax year with clarity and confidence.