Budget 2026 key dates and client checklist for practices

Budget 2026 spreads its changes over five years, which makes it easy to lose track of what starts when. This page puts every date that matters to an accountancy practice in one timeline, then turns it into a checklist by client type. Each item links to our detailed post.

Already in effect from 28 and 29 October 2026

• Pension and lump sum death benefits paid on or after 28 October 2026 are no longer taxable just because of the two-year rule. See IHT, pensions and trusts.
• New inheritance tax rules on liabilities in trust arrangements apply to deaths and chargeable events on or after 28 October 2026.
• Late filing penalties on missed 60-day UK property returns stop accruing once the disposal is reported on a Self Assessment return delivered from 28 October 2026. See Budget 2026 for landlords.
• An employer’s payment of the Immigration Skills Charge or a certificate of sponsorship fee is not taxable from 28 October 2026. See payroll changes.
• The Lifetime ISA withdrawal charge for buying a home above the £450,000 cap falls from 25% to 20% from 29 October 2026.
• Stamp duty land tax group relief changes apply from 29 October 2026.

The rest of 2026

2027

2028

2029 to 2031

Client checklist

All Self Assessment clients

• Warn clients with savings or rental income about higher 2027-28 bills, most of which fall due on 31 January 2029. See savings and property income tax.
• Explain that from April 2029 tax will be paid in regular instalments. See payments on account reform.
• Make sure clients know about the duty to correct errors from April 2028. See duty to correct errors.

Sole traders and landlords

• Identify everyone with 2025-26 qualifying income over £30,000 for MTD from April 2027. See MTD for Income Tax.
• Tell side traders with income under £3,000 they may not need to file from 2027-28. See trading allowance.
• Rerun mileage comparisons. See mileage rates.
• Review landlords’ incorporation questions and £2 million homes. See landlords and the self-employed.

Company directors

• Model exits against the 6 April 2027 BADR change. See BADR limit and Founders’ Relief.
• Flag reorganisations and buybacks planned for after April 2028. See distributions reform.
• Review capital spending timing around 1 January 2027. See capital allowances.
• Consider share schemes. See EMI and CSOP and directors.

Employers

• Prepare for benefits payrolling in April 2027. See payrolling benefits in kind.
• Load 2027-28 minimum wage and NICs figures. See payroll changes.
• Update expenses policies for 2028. See employee expenses.

VAT-registered businesses

• Start e-invoicing readiness checks. See VAT e-invoicing.
• Check online sellers before October 2027. See online marketplaces.
• Prepare for the Direct Debit backstop in 2029. See Direct Debit for VAT and PAYE and other VAT changes.

Retail, hospitality and leisure clients in England

• Check rateable values against the new £18,000 and £21,000 thresholds. See business rates.

Pensioners and estates

• Explain the Pension Tax Allowance to clients on modest pensions. See Pension Tax Allowance.
• Prepare for pensions in IHT from April 2027. See IHT, pensions and trusts.

For the practice itself

• Engagement letters. Add wording on the statutory duty to correct errors and how the practice handles errors it discovers.
• Software. Check that MTD, payroll and bookkeeping products will support benefits payrolling in 2027, e-invoicing in 2029 and online amended company returns in 2028. HMRC is also bringing in registration and standards for software providers. See HMRC compliance changes.
• Capacity. January 2027 combines 2025-26 returns with MTD onboarding for the £30,000 cohort.
• Client communications. A short Budget summary to all clients, followed by targeted letters to landlords, directors planning exits and employers with company cars, will cover most of the actions above. Our Budget 2026 summary is a starting point.
• Consultations. Consider responding, directly or through a professional body, on Founders’ Relief, distributions reform, debt recovery safeguards and the intermediation roadmap.

Frequently asked questions

Which Budget 2026 changes take effect immediately?

From 28 October 2026: the removal of the pension two-year rule, new trust liability rules for inheritance tax, the cap on penalties for missed 60-day property returns once reported through Self Assessment, and the exemption for employers’ immigration fees. The Lifetime ISA withdrawal charge cut applies from 29 October.

What is the most important date in Budget 2026?

6 April 2027, when the new savings and property income rates, the reduced BADR limit, Founders’ Relief, the £3,000 trading allowance, the next MTD wave and mandatory payrolling of car and medical benefits all start.

When does the duty to correct tax errors begin?

1 April 2028.

When does VAT e-invoicing start?

1 April 2029, for VAT invoices between VAT-registered businesses.