Tax
Stamp Duty, Making Tax Digital and the other tax rules that reach ordinary households, with worked examples and links to HMRC.
Tax
What Stamp Duty costs for downsizers now the thresholds have dropped back
Since 1 April 2025 Stamp Duty in England and Northern Ireland has started at £125,000 again. We set out the current bands, the 5% surcharge that can catch a downsizer and the 14-day deadline.
Tax
Making Tax Digital has arrived for landlords and sole traders over £50,000
Since 6 April 2026, landlords and sole traders with qualifying income over £50,000 have had to send HMRC quarterly updates. Here is who joins next, how the deadlines work and who can be exempt.
Related reading from other sections
Savings
The £5,000 savings band that people on low earnings often overlook
The starting rate for savings lets up to £5,000 of interest be taxed at 0%, but only while other income stays low. We explain how earnings and pensions reduce it, with worked examples.
Home & health
Why a Lasting Power of Attorney is easier to set up while nobody needs it
A Lasting Power of Attorney can only be made while you still have mental capacity. Registration costs £92 per document in 2026, far less than the court route families face without one.
Every Thursday: one rule, one date, one source.
The Thursday Briefing explains in a few minutes what is changing with benefits, tax, savings and household money in the UK, and links to the official page each time.