1. Raising Standards for Tax Advisers

• From May 2026, all tax advisers interacting with HMRC on behalf of clients must register and meet minimum standards.

• HMRC will have enhanced powers (via Finance Bill 2025–26) to act against advisers who deliberately enable non-compliance.

• Safeguards will ensure compliant advisers are protected; suspension only after warnings.

• In January 2026, HMRC will publish details on who must register and the requirements.

• Further measures against promoters of tax avoidance will be consulted on in early 2026.

• After consultation, the government will not regulate the entire tax advice market for now but will continue improving standards collaboratively.

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2. Key Measures Clients May Ask About

• Creative industries & R&D changes – technical amendments from 26 Nov 2025.

• Transfer pricing reforms + changes to permanent establishment and Diverted Profits Tax from 1 Jan 2026.

• International Controlled Transactions Schedule (ICTS) filing for multinationals from 1 Jan 2027.

• Securities Transfer Charge digital service testing (future replacement for Stamp Duty/SDRT).

• Inheritance Tax reforms:

  • APR/BPR changes from 6 Apr 2026, including transferable £1m allowance between spouses/civil partners.

  • New rules on unused pension funds and death benefits from 6 Apr 2027.

• Corporation Tax: late filing penalties doubled from 1 Apr 2026.

• VAT: private hire/taxi services excluded from the Tour Operators' Margin Scheme from 2 Jan 2026.

• Updated penalty regimes for Self Assessment and VAT from 6 Apr 2027.

• Mandatory e-invoicing for VAT from 2029 (roadmap at Budget 2026).

• Gambling Duty changes: major rate increases/phasing from Apr 2026–27.

• Loan Charge: new settlement opportunity following independent review.

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3. Payroll, Benefits & Expenses Changes

Pensions (Salary Sacrifice)

• From 6 Apr 2029, employer & employee NICs will apply to salary-sacrifice pension contributions above £2,000 per year.

• Income Tax relief remains unchanged.

Homeworking Expenses

• Deduction for non-reimbursed homeworking expenses ends 6 Apr 2026.

• Employers can still reimburse tax-free where eligible.

Expanded Benefits Relief

• From 6 Apr 2026, tax-free reimbursements apply to:
  – Eye tests
  – Homeworking equipment
  – Flu vaccinations

Payrolling Benefits in Kind

• Mandatory real-time reporting for most benefits takes effect 6 Apr 2027.

• Draft guidance with examples already published.

Voluntary NICs Abroad

• From 6 Apr 2026, only Class 3 voluntary NICs allowed for periods abroad (Class 2 not allowed).

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4. More Timely Self Assessment Payments

• From Apr 2029, taxpayers with PAYE + Self Assessment will have part of their forecast SA tax collected through PAYE.

• Consultation on detailed design in early 2026.

• No increase in overall tax liability—only timing changes.

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5. Digital Communication

• From spring 2026, HMRC will shift toward digital-by-default letters for online service users.

• Customers may opt out; digitally excluded users continue receiving paper letters.