End of Tax Year Checklist: Make the Most of Your Tax-Saving Opportunities

As we approach the end of the tax year, now is the time to take stock of your finances and ensure you’ve made the most of the available tax-saving opportunities. Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared a series of blog posts to help you plan ahead, reduce your liabilities, and make smart decisions for the future. Here’s a quick recap of what we covered — and how you can put these tips into action before 5 April.

1. Start with a Plan

In our Tax Planning post, we highlighted how proactive planning is the key to reducing your tax bill. From understanding your income sources to assessing allowances, the earlier you start, the better the outcome.

2. Use the Family Advantage

Tax isn’t just an individual matter — it’s a family affair. In How to Pay Less Tax as a Family, we explored income-splitting strategies, the Marriage Allowance, and using junior ISAs or pensions to secure your family’s financial wellbeing while optimising your tax position.

3. Pension Power

Pensions remain one of the most effective tools to reduce taxable income. Our post on Maximising Your Pension outlined how personal contributions not only prepare you for retirement but also attract tax relief and lower your current year’s liability.

4. Opportunities for Property Owners

If you let out furnished holiday accommodation, there are valuable tax benefits — but only if you meet certain criteria. We covered these in our guide to Furnished Holiday Lettings, including capital allowances and CGT reliefs that landlords shouldn’t miss.

5. Quick Wins to Reduce Your Tax Bill

Our post on Reducing Your Tax Bill offered a list of immediate actions you can still take before year-end, such as making use of your annual exemptions, charitable giving, and deferring income where appropriate.

6. Think Beyond Income

It’s not just about how much you earn — it’s also about how and where you invest. In Tax-Free Investments, we explored ISAs, Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), and Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS), all of which provide excellent tax advantages if used correctly.

7. Your Personal Tax Strategy

We pulled everything together in Tax Strategies, with a focus on aligning your short- and long-term goals. Whether you’re a business owner, landlord, investor, or employee, a tailored tax strategy makes all the difference.

8. Don’t Forget Inheritance Tax

Finally, in our post on Inheritance Tax, we tackled one of the most commonly overlooked areas. With thoughtful planning, you can protect your estate and pass on more to your loved ones — often while benefiting during your own lifetime.

Ready to Act?

With the tax year end fast approaching, now is the time to act. These strategies can make a meaningful difference to your financial position — but timing is crucial.

Whether you’re unsure where to start or want a second opinion on your current arrangements, our expert team at AEL Markhams is here to help. We’ll review your situation, identify the opportunities you may have missed, and put a tax-efficient plan in place tailored to you.