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Written By Amy Smith
The Chancellor delivered the Autumn Budget 2026 on 28 October, announcing a number of tax changes that will come into effect over the next few years.
Several of these updates won’t take effect until 2028 and 2029, but some important changes are coming much sooner. From April 2027, employers, landlords, savers, the self employed and business owners could all see a difference in how much tax they pay.
At Findlay Todd Accountants, we keep a close eye on announcements like this so our clients can plan ahead. Below, we’ve summarised the key changes to be aware of from April 2027.
From April 2027, the National Living Wage will increase from £12.71 to £13.21 per hour. The National Minimum Wage for younger workers is also rising.
For employers, this is about more than the hourly rate. Higher wages can also increase employer National Insurance and pension contributions, so it’s worth reviewing your payroll costs and budgets now rather than in March. You can check the current rates on the GOV.UK National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage page.
Tax rates on property income will increase to 24%, 44% and 49%, depending on your tax band. This applies from 6 April 2027 to landlords in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As a simple example, a basic rate taxpayer with £1,000 of rental profit would pay £240 in tax on it, compared with £200 at today’s 20% rate.
If you let out property, now is a good time to review how your rental income is structured and make sure you’re claiming every allowable expense on your Self Assessment tax return. Many landlords will also need to prepare for Making Tax Digital, which is already changing how property income is reported.
Tax rates on savings income will also rise to 24%, 44% and 49% from April 2027.
The Personal Savings Allowance is not changing, so basic rate taxpayers can still earn up to £1,000 of interest tax free and higher rate taxpayers up to £500. If your interest regularly goes above these limits, it may be worth looking at how your savings are held.
The Trading Allowance is set to increase from £1,000 to £3,000. This means self employed income under £3,000 a year will be tax free.
This is good news if you earn a little extra from a side hustle, such as selling crafts, freelancing or doing odd jobs alongside your main employment. HMRC’s guidance on the current trading allowance explains how the allowance works. If your income goes above the threshold, our tax return service can make sure everything is reported correctly.
The lifetime limit for Business Asset Disposal Relief will reduce from £1 million to £500,000.
However, the Budget also introduced a new founders relief. This would allow qualifying founders to sell shares in their business at a 10% tax rate, up to a £10 million lifetime limit. The conditions are strict and include holding at least 25% of the company’s shares, owning them for at least five years and the business meeting turnover and employee tests. The rules are still subject to consultation, so the final details may change.
If you’re thinking about selling or passing on your business in the next few years, timing could make a real difference to the Capital Gains Tax you pay.
In England, the threshold for 100% small business rate relief on qualifying retail, hospitality and leisure properties will increase from £12,000 to £18,000.
If you run a shop, café, pub, gym or similar business, it’s worth checking your property’s rateable value to see whether you could pay less, or nothing at all, from April 2027.
While April 2027 may feel some way off, the earlier you plan, the more options you’re likely to have. Whether you’re an employer, a landlord, a saver or thinking about selling your business, a little preparation now can help you avoid paying more tax than you need to.
At Findlay Todd Accountants, we’re here to help you stay ahead of the changes and understand what they mean for you and your business. If you would like to discuss how the Autumn Budget 2026 affects you, get in touch with our team today.