UK Budget 2026: What it means for personal finances

Authors:
Kevin O’Shea, Director – Wealth Planning
Guy Foster, Chief Strategist

Jump to section most relevant to you:

• ISA changes
• Dividends, savings, capital gains and property income
• Businesses
• Trusts
• Other notable announcements
• Economic analysis and investor impact
  

Chancellor John Healey has unveiled his first Budget, setting out the new government’s plans on tax and spending while seeking to maintain fiscal discipline.

It came against a demanding backdrop. UK borrowing costs had climbed, driven by fears over inflation and public spending, leaving less room for tax cuts or spending increases. Those constraints made the balancing act all the harder: Healey and Prime Minister Andy Burnham had to support households, meet defence commitments and adhere to the government’s fiscal rules, all while delivering the “real change” voters expect.

With the main tax levers off the table, the chancellor’s revenue options were narrow. He stuck to Labour’s manifesto commitment not to raise income tax on working people, VAT or National Insurance contributions, and didn’t increase the headline capital gains tax (CGT) rate. He also ruled out cutting a planned “mansion tax” threshold from £2m to £1.5m and shelved a proposed investor-visa route for wealthy individuals from overseas.

So if the main tax levers were ruled out, where did the changes fall? Below, we break down the key measures affecting personal finances and investments.

Please note: While this list of measures is not exhaustive, we’ve highlighted what we consider the main points impacting personal finances. Some of the detail is still being dissected, and further information is expected from HM Treasury and HMRC in the coming days and weeks. Access the full government Budget 2026 document here.

ISA changes

Announcements

• The decision to reduce the cash ISA annual allowance has been reversed and the allowance will remain at £20,000 per tax year.
• The full annual Stocks and Shares ISA allowance remains at £20,000 per tax year.
• A new First Time Buyer (FTB) ISA will be introduced from April 2029 replacing the Lifetime ISA (LISA) for new savers and paying a 25% government bonus where withdrawals support the purchase of a first home worth up to £450,000. Account holders can contribute up to £4,000 per year and the 25% government bonus will be capped at £20,000. The FTB ISA also has no upper age limit, and the bonus is paid at the time of property purchase.
• From midnight 29 Oct. 2026, the withdrawal charge for purchases of properties above the LISA property price cap will be reduced to 20%. The charge for unauthorised withdrawals will remain at 25%.
• The government will work with industry to explore a new ISA incentive for people investing in a stocks and shares ISA for the first time.

Impact

• Cash savers will continue to benefit from the full £20,000 allowance (regardless of age) which has not increased since April 2017.
• Existing LISA holders will be able to continue contributing to and using their accounts under the current rules. In addition, the government will reduce the withdrawal charge for existing LISA holders who use their savings to purchase a first home above the £450,000 property price cap.
• First time buyers and new investors are set to benefit from a new set of incentives.

Planning opportunities

• Spouse or partner strategy: make use of both your allowance and your spouse/partner’s.
• Diversify investment structures: use pensions, general investment accounts, ISAs, international bonds, corporates and private funds to minimise tax exposure.
• Re-evaluate saving objectives: short term versus long term, as well as the purpose of the savings to ensure the correct structure is chosen.

Dividends, savings and property income

Announcements

• Tax rates on income from property and savings will increase by a further 2% from April 2027. This is in addition to the 2% increase announced in Oct. 2025.
• Tax rates on income from dividends and capital gains are unchanged.

Impact

• This is a significant increase for anyone with substantial savings income or rental property. By April 2027, rates on savings and property income will rise to 24%, 44% and 49%.
• The impact is compounded by the way reliefs and allowances are applied. Reliefs and allowances are allocated to other sources of income first (which are subject to lower rates), before being applied to property, savings and dividend income. This effectively pushes more of your savings and property income into the higher tax bands, increasing your overall tax bill beyond what the rate change alone would suggest.

Planning opportunities

• ISAs and international bonds could complement or replace existing structures to provide a better tax position.
• Individuals may also wish to consider the structure (if any) in which they hold their properties.
• Consider triggering chargeable events on onshore and international bonds before April 2027 to tax gains under current (lower) savings rates.
• Alternatively, individuals could look to gilts (government bonds) and corporate debt (qualifying corporate bonds) to generate tax-efficient returns. When held without a tax wrapper (e.g. in your personal name and not in an ISA, pension or international bond), they provide returns free of CGT but are subject to income tax. As a result, low-yielding investments that generate returns through capital gains can be attractive lower-risk alternatives to cash savings.
• With income tax thresholds frozen until 2031 individuals may find their tax liability rising significantly. As such, proactive planning with a wealth manager and tax adviser across all these matters is key.

Tax relief for U.S. LLCs and other foreign-owned structures

Announcements

• A structural mismatch between how the UK and foreign jurisdictions (particularly the U.S.) tax the same income from the same entity will be addressed through a new tax credit.

Impact

• The effective tax charge can currently exceed 90% (at the extreme end) due to this mismatch, which can impact U.S. limited liability companies (LLCs), French Sociétés civiles immobilières (SCIs), Jersey LLCs and U.S. S-Corps.

Planning opportunities

• Anyone who currently holds these structures should speak with their tax adviser to understand the impact of the new tax credit.
• It may also be worth revisiting any investment opportunities declined due to the high effective tax charge, or any decisions made because of it (for example, if it was a factor in leaving the UK, moving to the UK or limiting time in the UK).

Businesses

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR)

Announcements

• The lifetime limit for Business Assets Disposal Relief (BADR), formerly known as Entrepreneurs Relief, which offers a reduced rate of 18% CGT on qualifying business assets, will be reduced from £1m to £500,000 on disposals made from 6 April 2027.

Impact

• This change will reduce the amount of gains eligible for relief under the BADR allowance. To illustrate the impact in practical terms:
  • Current state – tax on qualifying disposals of £1m: £180,000 CGT (18% on £1m).
  • Future state (from 6 April 2027) – tax on qualifying disposals of £1m: £90,000 CGT (18% on first £500,000) plus £120,000 CGT (24% on remaining £500,000) = £210,000 of CGT.

Planning opportunities

• Consider realising qualifying gains before 6 April 2027 to benefit from the current allowance.
• Special provisions apply to contracts entered into before 6 April 2027 that have not been completed, and to certain share reorganisations and exchanges of securities not completed before that date. These need to be carefully considered.
• Check whether investors relief or Founders’ Relief (below) are available and understand the interaction between the reliefs before sale.

Founders’ Relief

Announcements

• A new CGT relief called Founders’ Relief will be available from 6 April 2027 for qualifying founders of “high-growth, innovative companies in the UK.”
• This relief will offer a reduced CGT rate of 10% on up to £10m of eligible lifetime gains, per individual. The relief will apply to qualifying disposals made on or after 6 April 2027.
• A technical consultation is underway, closing on 30 Nov. 2026, alongside supporting evidence already gathered.

Impact

• Strict qualifying conditions apply, relating to an individual’s residency status, ownership structure and company turnover – these need to be carefully examined to determine eligibility.
• The focus is on companies that have demonstrated sustained high growth and are in scope for UK corporation tax, with consideration given to a shareholder’s UK residency status, the size of their shareholdings and how long these have been held.
• The relief is reduced by amounts claimed under BADR and Investors’ Relief limits from 6 April 2027.

Planning opportunities

• If you are considering a business sale, carefully examine the conditions to see if relief applies. Consider delaying disposal until 6 April 2027 or beyond to benefit from the relief.
• If you are setting up a business, review the qualifying criteria to ensure company structure and shareholding arrangements are in place to be eligible.
• Understand the interaction with BADR or Investors’ Relief and its potential impact on eligible gains under Founders’ Relief. Review this change with your advisers to fully understand the scope of the change.

Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) and EMI 2

Announcement

• The Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) and Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) schemes – tax-advantaged employee share schemes designed to help growing companies attract and retain talent – will see several changes aimed at reducing administration and enhancing flexibility.
• CSOP will be renamed EMI 2.

Impact

• Employees participating in existing EMI and CSOP schemes can benefit from an increased option limit of £120,000 (up from £60,000) and an extended exercise period of 15 years.
• Participants can also retain options in the event of certain restructuring events, such as companies transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust – removing a barrier to business owners exploring certain alternative structures.

Planning opportunities

• Business owners are now able to utilise both EMI and CSOP concurrently.
• If your company has grown beyond EMI eligibility or you want to offer options to more senior employees, EMI 2 allows £120,000 per person without a restriction for those already benefitting under EMI.
• Employers and employees should review their incentive structures to maximise allowances available to them.

Payments on account

Announcements

• Currently individuals with less than 80% of tax collected at source (e.g. through PAYE) and a tax bill of more than £1,000 need to pay tax up front (in January and July) based on the previous year’s tax liability. From April 2029, the government is looking to increase the frequency of these payments.

Impact

• This will impact the self-employed, sole traders, landlords and those with unprotected investment accounts.
• Depending on the payment schedules, there could be cash flow considerations (potentially paying larger sums earlier) and increased administration (additional payment dates) although paying via direct debit may be an option.

Planning opportunities

• Structuring investments often provides tax deferral or tax reduction benefits with the administrative benefits often overlooked.
• Given the increased frequency of payments, along with other tax changes discussed in this document, there is more incentive to consider how your investments are structured and what the options are.

Trusts

Trust changes: exit charges and debt deductions

Announcements

• From 28 Oct. 2026, no CGT exit charge applies when a trust becomes UK resident because a trustee moved to the UK, and ceases to be UK resident later that year or the following year.
• Separately, new inheritance tax (IHT) rules – effective immediately – treat trust debts the same as personal debts and block strategies where someone funds a debt using their own money, then uses it to artificially lower the IHT charge on their estate.

Impact

• The exit charge was perceived by some as a barrier for individuals who are trustees of their own trusts relocating to the UK, as it could trigger a deemed chargeable event on accumulated trust gains when leaving the UK. Removing it may make the UK more attractive to those with trusts.
• The debt deduction changes may require a review of existing liabilities but will ensure the correct amount of IHT is paid.

Planning opportunities

• Review trust arrangements for compliance and remaining planning opportunities.
• Anyone previously deterred from relocating to the UK by potential CGT charges on their trusts should revisit the position with their tax adviser – a barrier to entry may have been removed.

Other notable announcements

• Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts:
  • The government is looking to make the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), Venture Capital Trust (VCT) and Seed EIS easier to use through a small number of technical changes, though no detail is available yet.
  • It’s also looking to strengthen guidance and compliance activity around excessive fees, and to improve the Advance Assurance service, which gives an indication – not a guarantee – of qualifying status.
• Wealthy individual’s tax compliance: HMRC is announcing a comprehensive modernisation of how it manages tax compliance for wealthy individuals, defined as those with income over £200,000 or assets over £2 million. The plan has seven key themes, all aimed at increased scrutiny:
  • 1. Better customer understanding: enhanced data integration to build a holistic view of wealthy customers and their connected interests.
  • 2. Data and technology: using AI, automated triggers and connected data to identify risks earlier and prepopulate digital services.
  • 3. Tailored compliance: proportionate responses based on customer risk profiles, including dedicated Customer Compliance Manager support for billionaires.
  • 4. Investment in expertise: recruiting 400 additional specialists by 2030 to tackle offshore non-compliance.
  • 5. Improved outcomes: better coordination and quality of compliance work, with stronger action against deliberate non-compliance.
  • 6. Partnership approach: greater engagement with customers, agents and international partners.
  • 7. Transparency: publishing standalone offshore tax gap estimates and improving measurement.
• High value council tax surcharge (HVCTS): The government has confirmed it will introduce a deferral scheme, a series of discounts and exemptions and a 100% premium on properties left empty and unoccupied for 12 months or more.
• Pension tax allowance: From 6 April 2027, the new Pension Tax Allowance ensures pensioners whose total income sits at or below the full new State Pension (rising to £13,036.40) won’t pay income tax.
• Adjusted triple lock: From April 2030, the Triple Lock is adjusted: the State Pension will rise by the highest of 2.5%, inflation, or the amount required to maintain its value relative to earnings as reached in April 2029, removing the ratchet effect.
• Removal of the two-year rule for pension death benefits: From 28 Oct. 2026, beneficiaries no longer face a tax charge solely because lump sum death benefits are paid more than two years after a member’s death – a change that removes the risk of avoidable charges where administrator backlogs have delayed payments. The shift is particularly relevant alongside pensions becoming subject to IHT from April 2027, though the broader IHT treatment of pensions remains the bigger planning consideration.

The UK Budget: Economic analysis and investor impact

Commenting on the outlook for the UK economy, Guy Foster, chief strategist, said:

“The UK public finances are kept on a sound footing, through compliance with the fiscal rules. This framework means that, in contrast to some other large countries, the UK’s public finances are on a stable trajectory. But there is some nuance to this. Adherence to the fiscal rules is based on a range of forecasts, and a number of decisions which are yet to be formally implemented.

The UK’s fiscal rules limit the amount which can be borrowed for expenditure each year, alongside the cumulative amount of debt outstanding relative to GDP.

Often the external conversation is only focused on ‘headroom,’ but this doesn’t tell the full story as it only indicates how much theoretical breathing space the Budget allows in any one fiscal year. The £22b of headroom at the last Budget equated to a 59% chance of meeting the fiscal targets. Today’s smaller headroom of £15b reduces that to 56%. Neither of these figures suggest a huge amount of resilience should the country have to face into further economic shocks.

Polling suggests that consumers are concerned about the public finances and that they are spending less as a result. Addressing those concerns would create positive reinforcement, and the government has announced a range of individual measures designed to ease cost of living pressures.

However, there are still important decisions to make over the course of the Parliament to establish the best path to higher economic growth, which will help the country outgrow the debt burden.”

Looking ahead

While these changes will have an impact, there’s still a window of opportunity to put strategies in place before the next tax year-end. It’s also worth working with your adviser on any remaining opportunities from last year’s Autumn Budget announcements. For more detail, speak to your RBC contact or an appropriate professional adviser.

---

---