Money saving tips: 27 key money and tax year dates, and payment changes in 2026 that could boost your wallet
From new bills to benefit boosts, deadlines and tax tweaks in 2026 could hit - or help - your wallet 💰
- Energy bills, council tax, and other household costs will rise at several points in 2026
- There are key deadlines for self-assessment, ISAs, and tax allowances that could cost you if missed
- Minimum wage, benefits, and state pensions will increase, giving some households a boost
- And new taxes and rules will affect crypto, dividends, vaping, Buy Now Pay Later, and fuel
- Our month-by-month guidance could help you plan, save, and avoid penalties throughout the year
2026 is shaping up to be a year full of changes that could help (or hit) your finances.
From small rises in energy bills and council tax to bigger shifts in benefits, dividend taxes, and minimum wages, there are plenty of deadlines, new rules, and government tweaks to keep an eye on.
Even seemingly minor adjustments can add up over the year. For example, energy bills creeping up by just a few pounds per month could cost tens of pounds over the year, while missing a self-assessment deadline could see you slapped with an instant £100 fine.
Meanwhile, some changes could boost your income, such as increases to the state pension, Universal Credit, and the minimum wage.
And it’s not just bills and benefits; 2026 brings new tax rules for crypto and dividend income, new obligations for Buy Now Pay Later customers, and even a vaping tax.
To help, we’ve laid out the key financial dates, legal changes, and practical money tips month by month, so you know exactly what to watch out for and how it could affect your wallet.
January
January 1 – Energy price cap rise: Household energy bills rose by 0.2%, adding around £3 a year for a typical home on a variable tariff. But even small improvements like loft insulation could save up to £200 per year, far outweighing the price cap change.
January 1 – Crypto regulations: If you own cryptocurrency, you now need to provide identifying details to service providers before buying, selling, or transferring crypto. This change helps HMRC track tax liabilities.
January 31 – Self-assessment deadline: Online tax returns for 2024/25 must be submitted by midnight. Miss it, and you face an automatic £100 fine. This applies not just to the self-employed; anyone earning over £1,000 from side hustles like online sales may need to file. Watch out for self-assessment scams around the deadline.
February
February 1 – Alcohol duty increase: Pints and spirits will likely get pricier as alcohol duty rises by 3.66%.
February 5 – Bank of England interest rate decision: The base rate currently sits at 3.75%, influencing mortgage payments, loans, and savings. Keep an eye on BoE announcements throughout the year if you’re borrowing or investing.
February 26 – Energy price cap preview: Ofgem will announce the next price cap level, giving an early look at whether your bills could rise or fall later in the year.
March
March 1 – Rail fares freeze: Unlike previous years, most rail fares will stay static, bucking the usual annual rise linked to inflation.
March 31 – Winter Fuel Payment and Household Support Fund deadlines: Some households need to claim the Winter Fuel Payment by this date. Local councils may also close applications for the Household Support Fund.
April
April 1 – Minimum wage increases: The national living wage will rise 4.1% to £12.71 for over-21s. Workers aged 18–20 will see an 8.5% increase to £10.85, and 16–17-year-olds and apprentices will get a 6% boost. Check your pay to make sure you’re receiving the correct rate.
April 1 – Bills and taxes: Council tax, water bills, TV licence fees, and vehicle tax will all rise. Some councils can increase tax by up to 5% without a referendum. Electric car owners will start paying car tax, while air passenger duty will also rise.
April 1 – Energy price cap: A new cap will come into effect for the second quarter of the year.
April 5 – End of tax year: Use your 2025/26 ISA allowance (£20,000) and pension or capital gains allowances before this date to avoid losing tax benefits.
April 6 – New tax year and dividend tax hike: Dividend tax will rise by 2 percentage points, making ISAs and SIPPs more tax-efficient. Remote workers will lose their tax relief on home working expenses. State pensions will rise by 4.8% as Universal Credit increases by 2.3–3.8%.
April 6 – Making Tax Digital: Some sole traders and landlords must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC.
July
July 1 – Energy price cap: A new cap will come into effect for the third quarter of the year.
July 15 – Buy Now Pay Later rules: New regulations will require providers to warn customers of risks and offer support if financial difficulties arise.
July 31 – Payment on account: Self-employed taxpayers make their second instalment of tax on account. If you expect lower earnings than last year, you can apply to reduce this payment.
August
August 31 – Fuel duty freeze ends: The temporary 5p cut will start phasing out, gradually raising petrol and diesel prices until it disappears in March 2027.
September
September 1 – Free school meals eligibility expands: All children whose parents receive Universal Credit will now be eligible in England.
October
October 1 – Vaping tax introduced: A new tax will charge £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid.
October 1 – Energy price cap: A new cap comes into effect for the fourth and final quarter of the year.
October 5 – Self-assessment registration deadline: Anyone who hasn’t registered but needs to file must do so by this date.
October 31 – Paper tax return deadline: Most returns are completed online these days, but if you still submit by post, this date it important.
November
November 26 – Tobacco duty rises: Duty will increase by RPI inflation plus 2 percentage points.
Autumn Budget: The government announces tax, welfare, and spending changes – keep an eye out for measures that could affect your income, benefits, or bills.
Black Friday – November 27: Deals galore, but only buy what you truly need to avoid overspending.
December
December 17 – Bank of England interest rate meeting: Another potential rate change could affect mortgages, loans, and savings going into 2027.