12 Key Changes for the 2025/2026 Tax Year ">
March 24, 2025
It’s that time again—when a new tax year begins and brings with it a host of changes and updates to tax regulations.
The repayment thresholds for student loans has been increased, which means your repayment amount will decrease.
Plan Type | Rate | 2024 Threshold | 2025 Threshold |
---|---|---|---|
Plan 1 | 6% | £24,990 | £26,065 |
Plan 2 | 6% | £27,295 | £28,470 |
Plan 4 | 6% | £31,395 | £32,745 |
The rate of child benefit will rise by 1.7%. That will mean families with one child will receive £26.05 a week for the first or only child and £17.25 a week for other children. Child benefit tax thresholds remains unchanged.
2024 Rate | 2025 Rate | |
---|---|---|
First child | £1,331.20 | £13,54.60 |
Additional child | £881.40 | £897.00 |
Although the tax rates for Scotland remain unchanged, there have been updates to the thresholds, which means you will pay less income tax. Particularly beneficial if you are a low earner.
Band | Rate | 2024 Tax Band | 2025 Tax Band |
---|---|---|---|
Scottish Starter Rate | 19% | £12,571 to £14,876 | £12,571 to £15,397 |
Scottish Basic Rate | 20% | £14,877 to £26,561 | £15,398 to £27,491 |
As announced in the Autumn Budget, the National Minimum Wage will rise on April 6, 2025. The new rates are as follows:
Age Group | 2024 Hourly Rate | 2025 Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|
21+ | £11.44 | £12.21 |
18-20 | £8.60 | £10.00 |
Under 18 | £6.40 | £7.55 |
Apprentice | £6.40 | £7.55 |
To calculate your take home pay with customized values, please use our tool here.
From April 2025, statutory pay rates will also increase. Here are the new weekly rates for statutory maternity, paternity, sick pay, and other entitlements:
Statutory Payment | Change | Rate |
---|---|---|
Statutory Paternity Pay | Increase | £187.18 |
Statutory Maternity Pay | Increase | £187.18 |
Shared Parental Pay | Increase | £187.18 |
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) | Increase | £118.75 |
Several National Insurance thresholds will also change in April:
Threshold | Change | Monthly | Annual |
---|---|---|---|
Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) | Increase | £542 | £6,500 |
Primary Threshold (PT) | No Change | £1,048 | £12,570 |
Secondary Threshold (ST) | Decrease | £417 | £5,000 |
Upper Earnings Limit (UEL) | No Change | £4,189 | £50,270 |
New Investment Zone Threshold | New | £2,083 | £25,000 |
Starting in April 2025, the employer’s Class 1 National Insurance rate will increase by 1.2 percentage points, from 13.8% to 15%. This change will apply from the first pay date on or after April 6.
The Employment Allowance will increase significantly, rising from £5,000 to £10,500 per year. The eligibility criteria are also being relaxed.
The rate for Small Employer’s Relief will increase from 103% to 108.5%, giving small businesses more compensation.
Several new laws and proposals will affect businesses in 2025:
This significant piece of legislation will propose sweeping changes to employment rights, including:
Many of these changes won’t take effect until 2026, but businesses should stay informed and participate in consultations when possible.
Capital gains tax (CGT) is charged on the profits made from selling assets, such as investments or valuable possessions.
At the Autumn Budget it was confirmed that CGT would rise with immediate effect from 10% to 18% for basic rate taxpayers, and from 20% to 24% for higher and additional rate taxpayers. Remember, that gains can also be offset against losses made when selling other assets, so it is important to retain records when selling items which may attract capital gains or losses.
Council tax is set to rise again in April 2025, with local authorities in England permitted to increase bills by up to 5%.
The average band D council tax in England for 2024/25 was £2,171, according to Government figures, so this could mean a rise of £109 in council tax.
Significant changes to car tax rates will also take effect from April, particularly affecting new vehicle purchases.
Starting in April 2025, electric vehicle (EV) owners will no longer be exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), commonly known as road tax. Currently, EVs are free from this charge, but a new rate structure will see them pay a first-year rate of £10. Additionally, EVs priced over £40,000 will face the Expensive Car Supplement, which currently stands at £410.
Meanwhile, new cars emitting between 1-50g/km of CO2, including hybrids, will see tax rise from £10 to £110. Vehicles emitting 51-75g/km of CO2 will face increases from £30 to £130, while rates for cars emitting 76g/km and above will double. At the top end, cars emitting over 255g/km of CO2 will see first-year rates double from £2,745 to £5,490.
From 30 October 2024, tobacco duty has risen by the Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation plus 2%. Duty on hand-rolling tobacco has risen by RPI plus 10%.
Alcohol duty rates on non-draught products including wine, spirits and bottled beer will increase by 2.7% from 1 February 2025. However, duty on draught alcohol served in pubs, bars and restaurants will decrease by 1.7%.
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