Simple Tax Tips Before 5 April: Easy Ways to Save More in the UK
A few smart moves before the UK tax year ends can help you keep more of your money (no jargon, just the essentials).
The UK tax year ends on 5 April, and a few small steps before that date can make a real difference. Below is a clear, simple checklist you can act on before the deadline.
1. Use Your ISA Allowance Before It Disappears
Every adult in the UK can put up to £20,000 into ISAs this tax year. If you don’t use it before 5 April, it expires — you cannot carry it forward. [fairstone.co.uk]
Why it matters:
- Money inside an ISA grows completely tax-free, which is especially valuable because dividend taxes are increasing from April 2026. [taxyz.co.uk]
- From April 2027, under-65s can only put £12,000 per year into Cash ISAs, down from £20,000. This year is your last chance to use the full cash amount. [calculatemysalary.co.uk]
Biz Bize Tip: If you have savings or investments sitting outside an ISA, moving them in now can save you a lot of tax.
2. Want to Invest? Try a Stocks & Shares ISA
You don’t have to keep all your money in cash. A Stocks & Shares ISA lets you invest in things like funds, bonds, and shares tax-free.
New rules also allow fractional shares inside an ISA, meaning you can buy small slices of expensive stocks. [moneyhelper.org.uk]
Why this helps:
- Dividend taxes are rising in 2026, so investments inside an ISA avoid this completely. [taxyz.co.uk]
3. Pension Contributions = Big Tax Savings
Putting money into your pension is one of the best ways to reduce your tax bill:
- You can add up to £60,000 per year, plus unused amounts from the past three years. [calculatemysalary.co.uk]
- You get tax relief at your highest tax rate, so higher earners benefit even more. [bdo.co.uk]
Extra benefit:
- Pension contributions can help keep your income below the £60,000 Child Benefit threshold, meaning you avoid the benefit being clawed back. [bdo.co.uk]
4. Use Your Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Allowance
You can make up to £3,000 in tax-free profits from selling investments this year. This allowance resets on 6 April — anything unused is lost. [calculatemysalary.co.uk]
You can sell an investment, realise the gain tax-free, and then buy it back inside an ISA (“bed & ISA”). This helps protect future growth from tax.
5. Check Your Tax Code — It Only Takes a Minute
Many people pay too much tax simply because their tax code is wrong. HMRC recommends checking through your online Personal Tax Account to avoid mistakes or missed refunds. [calculatemysalary.co.uk]
A quick check can literally put money back in your pocket.
6. Don’t Forget These Easy Allowances
- Marriage Allowance: Save £252 a year if one partner earns under £12,570. [calculatemysalary.co.uk]
- Gift Aid: If you’re a higher-rate taxpayer, you can claim extra tax relief on donations. [calculatemysalary.co.uk]
- Trading/Property Allowance: If you earn small amounts from side jobs or rent, you may qualify. [tax2u.co.uk]
Simple steps, real savings.
7. Last-Minute Moves You Can Still Make
Even in the final days before 5 April, you can:
- Add a pension contribution
- Record any missing business expenses
- Organise income/expense records
- Make necessary equipment purchases for your business before the deadline
All of these can reduce your tax bill. [tax2u.co.uk]
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a finance expert — just making a few smart moves before 5 April can help you keep more of your money. Biz Bize UK is all about empowering our community with clear, helpful guidance, and these simple steps are a great place to start.
