How to protect yourself in Chancellor's tax war

Chancellor expected to scrap higher rate tax relief

clock • 4 min read

Chancellor George Osborne has already launched a number of punitive raids on high earners' pension privileges, but the widely anticipated scrapping of higher rate relief amounts to an all out assault, writes Sheriar Bradbury

Take the Chancellor's already announced tax cuts and factor in changes to the way dividends of small companies will be taxed from next year, and for owner-directors it is beginning to feel like total war. The good news is that there remains a short window of opportunity for certain individuals - owner-directors of companies in particular - to restructure their finances in a way that will protect them from the earliest impacts of these changes. Advisers can add real value to directors by finding synergies in the confluence of two attacks on their client, by drawing from the company and...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

Gender pensions gap grows to £113,000

Gender pensions gap grows to £113,000

Report finds more than a third of women are likely to face poverty in retirement

Martin Richmond
clock 18 November 2025 • 3 min read
The FOMO-fuelled run on the pensions bank – where the Treasury is the only winner

The FOMO-fuelled run on the pensions bank – where the Treasury is the only winner

'You can't build a savings culture on a foundation of uncertainty'

Matt Storey
clock 17 November 2025 • 5 min read
Chancellor's potential salary sacrifice plan: A 'high risk gamble built on low quality data'

Chancellor's potential salary sacrifice plan: A 'high risk gamble built on low quality data'

Govt reportedly considering introducing a £2,000 salary sacrifice annual cap

Joseph Warne
clock 14 November 2025 • 4 min read