Grab your popcorn – I watched the Budget so you don’t have to 
So yesterday at lunch, accompanied by a ham sarnie and a glass of something fizzy,* I settled down to watch the Budget.
Which means you don’t have to.
Unless you are NOT a performer.
Why? Well, I only advise performers, so I only focus on the Budget-y bits that affect them.
Soz.
Let’s start with the bad news…
Making Tax Digital (MTD) has not been postponed at this Budget. That’s a big BOO right there.
So sorry, but we are ploughing ahead if your joint self-employed fee income and property rental income is more than £50,000 from April 2026**.
But look everyone, what’s that lurking down the dispatch box sofa?
Glory be, it’s some GOOD news…
You see, the other rumour doing the rounds was the dreaded VAT threshold being lowered (or as I like to call it, Very Annoying Tax). Thankfully, these rumours were confirmed as absolute bunkum.
Big “YAY” at the TV. Small punch of the air. Instant regret after spilling drink on knees.
After scenes of colourful language and frantic deployment of kitchen roll, let’s look at the other stuff.
A sneaky one to watch…
Lurking in the details like a bad smell is something that WILL affect people with self-employed income AND PAYE income.
From April 2029, the government plans to collect more tax in-year via PAYE for those who also do Self Assessment.
In plain English: if you juggle contracts and self-employed work, they want more of your tax sooner.
Crafty sods.
No further details yet, but I’ll keep my beady accountant eye on this.
The rest of the Budget bits you might care about
Assuming Taylor Swift, Harry Kane and Elton John are not on my client list (hi Elton if you are), you can ignore the changes to image rights being taxed as employment income from April 2027.
Other highlights:
Tax thresholds frozen until 2031
As income rises, more people will creep into higher tax brackets. Sneaky but significant.
Cash ISA allowance reduced
From April 2027, the cash ISA limit drops from £20,000 to £12,000 (unless you’re over 65, in which case it stays at £20,000). You can still stash the rest into Stocks & Shares ISA or LISA.
Two-child benefit cap lifted from April 2026
I’ll be honest — not my specialist aria.
New high-value property tax
Properties worth £2m–£2.5m = £2,500 a year
Over £5m = £7,500+
Even if you’re renting, this could impact you as landlords may pass on costs. Starts April 2028.
Savings tax increases (from April 2027)
22% for basic rate taxpayers
42% for higher rate taxpayers
(after your personal savings allowance is used up)
Dividend tax changes (from April 2026)
10.75% for basic rate
35.75% for higher rate
You’ll also need to split dividends between your own company and external investments in your tax return.
Oh joy.
A final aria for landlords 
Property income will be moved into a separate property tax band:
- 22%, 42%, 47%
instead of the usual income tax bands.
No National Insurance on property income though. Aren’t they generous.
This starts 2027/28.
That just about sums it up folks.
* Diet Coke. Did you SERIOUSLY think I’d be quaffing champers during that?
Gold star if you read the footnotes
* Diet Coke. Did you SERIOUSLY think I’d be quaffing champers during that?
** April 2027 if over £30,000 and April 2028 if over £20,000.
