Tax

Taxation is a fact of life for everyone.

Whether you are paying tax on your income or savings, unsure about the discounts available for council tax or are unsure about the tax owed through inheritance, this section will give you useful links to sites that can provide further information to help you.

If you are in arrears with your tax you can find further information in our DEBT section.

1. INCOME TAX

This section is about information on tax rates, allowances and reliefs and how you pay if you are employed or self employed.

Please click on the links below to be taken to your desired section. 

INCOME TAX OVERVIEW

Find out what income tax is and how you pay it here

Source: gov.uk

TAXABLE- AND NON-TAXABLE INCOME

It is important to know what income is non-taxable and can be ignored for tax purposes.

Find out more information here
Source: Tax Help for Older People

Income Tax Rates

The information in these tables shows the percentage rates of income tax that are applied to taxable income in the current- and in previous years.

Find out more information here
Source: gov.uk

INCOME TAX ALLOWANCES AND AMOUNTS

Information on allowances is available here
Source: Which?

TAX ALLOWANCES AND RELIEFS

There are several important reliefs that you might be able to get to reduce your tax bill which is listed below. If you think you might be able to get any of the ones listed in this guide you can find out more about them by following the links.

Find out more information here
Source: HMRC

TAX ON BENEFITS IN KIND

Benefits in kind are those which are sometimes called ‘perks’ or ‘fringe benefits’. They include things like company cars, private medical insurance paid for by the employer and cheap or free loans.

Find out more information here
Source: gov.uk

EMPLOYEE TAX CODES AND NATIONAL INSURANCE

Read information about PAYE/National Insurance and tax codes and information about what to expect from your employer here
Source: TaxAid

TAX CODES FOR NEW EMPLOYEES: THE STARTER CHECKLIST

If you do not have a P45 from your previous employer you can use this information to check that your new employer has applied the correct code.

Find out more information here
Source: TaxAid

PAYE: COMMON PROBLEMS

For information about what to do if you have more than one job, or if you work and have an occupational pension, click here and here.

Sources: TaxAid and gov.uk

HOW DO I PAY TAX ON SELF-EMPLOYED INCOME?

The link below provides information if you are self-employed and on a low income. It also helps you to try and solve your tax problem for yourself. It explains how you register for tax and allowances.

Find out more information here
Source: Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

HELP WITH YOUR TAX RETURN IF YOU ARE SELF-EMPLOYED

Guidance on how to complete your Tax Return, information you will need and what to do if you run into problems can be found here

Source: Tax Aid

2. CAPITAL GAINS TAX

This section provides information if you have profited from selling or giving away something that has increased in value.

Capital Gains Tax

Capital Gains Tax is a tax on the profit when you sell or give something away (an ‘asset’) that has increased in value. For an overview on this tax and how it’s paid, click here
Source: gov.uk

Working Out Your Capital Gain or Loss - the Basics

For information on how to calculate the Capital Gains Tax when you sell or dispose of an asset, click here
Source: gov.uk

3. SAVINGS AND TAX

This section provides information on the tax payable on your savings including dividends.

For information about common types of savings income - including Bank- and Building Society interest and dividends - click here
Source: Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

4. TAX RETURNS

This section provides a guide to tax returns including: who needs to complete a tax return, how to complete the form and the deadline for returning it.

A tax return is a form (paper or online) on which you report details of your taxable income, and any capital gains if appropriate and claim tax allowances and tax reliefs.

To find out who has to complete a tax return and how you do it, click here
Source: gov.uk

5. COUNCIL TAX

This section provides guidance on council tax and information on exemptions and discounts.

For information on Council Tax Support please see our BENEFITS section

Council Tax Overview

Council Tax is a local taxation system on domestic property. It is set and collected by local authorities.
Find out how Council Tax works and learn whether you might be eligible for a discount or exemption here. You can also learn how to appeal your Council Tax band or liability.

Source: Citizens Advice

Council Tax Discounts, Reductions and Exemptions

A full Council Tax bill assumes that two adults live in the property. Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for a Council Tax discount or exemption.

For information on the help available from Stockton Borough Council and how to apply, click here
Source: Stockton Borough Council

Council Tax Appeals

If you think your home is in the wrong Council Tax valuation band you may be able to make an appeal against the banding.

Find out more information here
Source: Stockton Borough Council

6. PROPERTY TAX

This section provides information if you earn money from renting including the 'rent-a-room' scheme

Tax on Income from Renting

Do you charge rent to someone else for living in a property that you own? Or do you sub-let a room in your house to a lodger?  You may need to tell HMRC about it and possibly pay some tax if you make a profit.

Find out more information here
Source: Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

7. BEREAVEMENT AND TAX

This section provides information on tax issues after a death, including Inheritance Tax.

Tax information following a death

The link below provides information about the duties you may have to perform as an executor or personal representative, as well as the various tax and benefits consequences that can arise on death. The link also looks at the tax effects of the death of your spouse or civil partner.

Find out more information here
Source: Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

8. STUDENTS AND TAX

This section provides information on tax issues for students.

Tax Guide for Students

The Tax Guide for Students has been designed to be the single, authoritative guide on tax and related matters for students.

Read the guide here
Source: Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

9. DISABILITIES AND TAX

This section provides information on tax issues for people with disabilities.

Disability and Tax – a Guide

For help and information on Disability and Tax - including advice for anyone taking on a personal assistant and for employers of disabled people - click here

Source: Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

VAT reliefs for disabled and older people

Many people aged 60+ or who have a disability may be missing out on buying products without VAT, because they do not realise that they can.

Read the answers to some frequently asked questions for an outline of what VAT reliefs are available here
Source: Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

10. OLDER PEOPLE AND TAX

Income Tax and Pensioners

Information on tax and National Insurance if you're a pensioner or are about to retire can be found here
Source: HMRC

Pensioners and tax

If you are thinking about taking money out of your pension, already a pensioner, or are coming up to retirement, you may have to deal with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), as they assess and collect tax and pay out tax credits and other benefits. This link is for you if you are thinking about taking money out of your pension, approaching retirement or are a pensioner on a low income.

Find out more information here
Source: Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

11. TAX REBATES

Paid Too Much Tax?

If you’ve paid too much tax, how you get a refund depends on your circumstances.

Find out more information here
Source: gov.uk

12. TAX COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

Information on what to do when things go wrong.

If you disagree with a tax decision

You may be able to appeal against a tax decision you disagree with. This can also be done by someone who deals with your taxes, such as an accountant.

Find out more information here
Source: gov.uk

How to complain

Information on how to make any tax complaint can be found here
Source: gov.uk

13. HELPFUL TOOLS

We have provided a variety of tools below to help you with your problem but if you still need help, you can click on FIND LOCAL AGENCIES WHO CAN HELP YOU for information about local agencies who may be able to assist you further.

Please click on the links below to be taken to your desired section. 

CALCULATORS

What am I paid?

For a calculator that works out how much you are paid weekly/monthly/annually from your hourly rate, click here
Source: thesalarycalculator.co.uk

Payslip calculator

For a tool to ensure your payslip shows the correct amount of tax and National Insurance deductions, click here
Source: UK Tax Calculators

Take Home Tax Calculator

Wondering how much difference that pay rise would make? The April 2023 values have now been made available to show you the most up-to-date information. Use the Take-Home Salary Calculator to work out just how much more you will have each month.

Find the calculator here

Source: thesalarycalculator.co.uk

Tax checker

Think you've overpaid tax and are due a refund? If your tax situation is straightforward, you can use the checker to find out. It's quick and easy to use and will tell you if you're paying about the right amount of tax.

Find the tax checker here
Source: HMRC

 

 

FACTSHEETS AND LEAFLETS

HMRC

A variety of leaflets are available from HMRC on tax issues here
Source: HMRC

Tax Help for Older People- Frequently Asked Questions

Read FAQs here
Source: Tax Help for Older People

NATIONAL HELPLINES

Age UK

Information and help for older people
Telephone: 0800 169 6565

HMRC Helplines

HMRC have many helplines depending on your enquiry
A full list of all helpline numbers is available from the HMRC here
Source: HMRC 

Tax Aid

For help with tax debt, undeclared income and self-assessment returns.
Telephone 0345 120 3779

Tax Help for Older People

For help on all tax issues for older people with household incomes under £20,000.
Telephone 0845 601 3321 / 01308 488 066

Citizens Advice

Advice by phone is available from Citizens Advice
Telephone: 0808 278 7986

WEBSITES USED IN THIS SECTION

Age UK

Age UK is the country's largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life.
www.ageuk.org.uk

Citizens Advice

The Adviceguide website is the main public information service of Citizens Advice, providing people with round-the-clock access to CAB information on their rights - including benefits, housing and employment, and on debt, consumer and legal issues.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england.htm

Disability and tax – Low Income Reform Group

Information, help and resources for anyone taking on a personal assistant. This link also gives you information on being an employer, status issues, and other tax matters
www.disabilitytaxguide.org.uk

Gov.uk

The websites of all government departments and many other agencies and public bodies 
www.gov.uk

Low Incomes Tax Reform Group

LITRG works extensively with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), other Government departments, commenting on proposals and putting forward our own ideas for improving the system. Too often tax and related welfare laws and administrative systems are not designed with the low-income user in mind and this often makes life difficult for those we try to help.
www.litrg.org.uk

TaxAid

TaxAid is a charity that helps people on low incomes with their tax affairs.
www.taxaid.org.uk

TaxCentral

A website is provided by Digita software which is part of the Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters, the leading provider of technology and information solutions.
www.taxcentral.co.uk

Tax Guide for Students – Lower Incomes Tax Reform Group

Tax Guide for Students has been designed to be the single, authoritative guide on tax and related matters for students. 
http://www.taxguideforstudents.org.uk/about/site

workSMART: TUC

workSMART, from the TUC, is here to help today's working people get the best out of the world of work.
www.worksmart.org.uk