Reviewed 15 August 2026
The key tax information businesses actually need.
A plain-English overview of common UK tax rates and deadlines for 2026/27. Every figure links to official GOV.UK guidance so you can check the source.
General guidance only. Rates can change and individual circumstances matter. Scottish Income Tax bands differ.
2026/27 headline figures
Useful numbers at a glance.
Income Tax
20% / 40% / 45%England, Wales and Northern Ireland bands. Scotland has different rates and bands.Official GOV.UK source ↗Dividend allowance
£500Dividend rates above the allowance are 10.75%, 35.75% and 39.35% for 2026/27.Official GOV.UK source ↗Corporation Tax
19%–25%19% small-profits rate up to £50,000; 25% main rate above £250,000, with Marginal Relief in between. Limits may reduce for associated companies.Official GOV.UK source ↗VAT threshold
£90,000Compulsory registration normally applies when rolling 12-month VAT-taxable turnover goes above the threshold.Official GOV.UK source ↗Self-employed NI
6% / 2%Class 4 rates on profits above £12,570, with the 2% rate applying above £50,270.Official GOV.UK source ↗Quick business checks
Spot an issue before it becomes urgent.
These tools provide an initial indication only. They do not determine legal liability or replace a proper review.
VAT threshold check
Use VAT-taxable turnover for the latest rolling 12 months—not the turnover in your last set of accounts.
MTD Income Tax check
Select the tax year the income relates to. Use combined gross income from self-employment and property before expenses.
Applies to qualifying sole traders and landlords. Exemptions and special cases can apply.
Check the full HMRC rules ↗Important deadlines
Dates worth putting in the diary.
| Date or timing | What it normally relates to | Practical point |
|---|---|---|
| 5 October 2026 | Registering for Self Assessment for 2025/26 where required | Applies to new entrants and people who need to reactivate their record. |
| 31 January 2027 | Online 2025/26 Self Assessment return and balancing payment | The first 2026/27 payment on account may also be due. |
| 31 July | Second Self Assessment payment on account | Not everyone has payments on account; check the calculation. |
| 19th monthly | CIS contractor monthly return | The return for the tax month ended on the 5th is generally due by the following 19th. |
| 1 month + 7 days | VAT return and payment | Usually measured from the end of the VAT accounting period. Weekend dates do not automatically move. |
| 9 months + 1 day | Corporation Tax payment for many small companies | Measured from the end of the accounting period; special rules apply in some cases. |
| 9 months | Private company accounts filing | Measured from the accounting reference date, subject to the company's actual Companies House deadline. |
Check the deadline shown in your HMRC or Companies House account. New companies, long periods and special circumstances can follow different rules. Sources: Self Assessment, CIS, VAT.
Making Tax Digital
The first phase is already here.
Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 should have entered MTD for Income Tax from 6 April 2026. The threshold falls to over £30,000 from April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028.
Keep digital records
Use compatible software to maintain the required income and expense information.
Send quarterly updates
Updates summarise income and expenses for each qualifying business or property source.
Complete the year
Annual tax obligations still remain. MTD does not remove the need to finalise the tax position.
Need help applying the rules?
Turn general guidance into a clear plan.
We can review your actual records and responsibilities, then confirm the support and fixed fee before work begins.