6 Ways to pay less tax (without having to bed your tax collector)

Tax issues are confusing and not something most of us like to think about in our spare time. To be honest, you would have to be pretty bored to be thinking about it at the weekend. However, the other day I read that some people pay more tax than they need to. I am hoping I am one of them so I can reduce my tax payments for the year to come.

Ordinarily the words “financial planning” will bring me out in a rash but more and more people are trying to convince me that pensions and tax efficient savings plans can bring huge benefits to my overall finances. So I am having a glance at the issue and trying to understand just how donating money to a charity or having a savings account can save me money in the long term.

1. Use your personal allowance.

Everyone has a personal allowance. Are you like me and have no idea what that means? Well, your personal allowance is the income you are allowed to earn before tax and National insurance payments.

Currently in the UK your personal allowance is £6475 per year whether you are employed or self employed. After that amount you need to pay 20% tax on your earnings and if you are lucky enough to earn more than £37400 a year you have to pay 40% tax on your earnings.

If you are not sure about your tax band contact your local tax office.

Confirm your age.  This is something I would personally not like to count on.  I’d rather stay young and pay more tax than lose my sex appeal and pay less tax.  Who said youth is not expensive?  Anyway, for those of you who are not scared of wrinkles, once you reach 65 you should get a higher tax-free allowance of £9490 per year depending on your income.   I guess the government is thoughtful enough to allow you extra tax-free income to spend on botox, facelifts and Viagra.

Give more away. You don’t pay tax on money you donate to charity. Just remember to get your donation properly processed to qualify for a tax reduction. I wonder if posing for a nude calendar or if buying all the sexy firemen calendars count towards a tax reduction.

The combination of numbers and letters that form your tax code indicate how much tax your employer should deduct from your pay.  If your employer made a mistake you could be paying too much tax so it is worth checking your tax code yourself to make sure you are paying the right amount.  To understand your tax code click here

If you are lucky enough to have any savings make sure you are not paying tax on your savings account unless you have to. If your income is under the tax threshold you should ask your bank for a form R85 to get tax free interest paid on your savings. You might be able to buy a fish supper and Irn Bru with your tax free interest savings.

6. Claim for business expenses.

If you are self employed make sure you are claiming for deductible expenses and a proportion of your household bills if you work from home. If you play it right you might be able to include a big proportion of your mortgage, heating, electricity and water bills as deductible expenses.

Did you know that if you provide entertainment for staff or clients, some of these business entertainment expenses are tax deductible? I like this; to support your claims for business entertainment expenses make sure that you keep invoices and receipts. I’ll remember to ask for a receipt next time I rent a boy for my entertainment.

If you have any tax efficient advice or just tips to pay less tax, don’t forget to share them in the comments box. The Best advice I can give you is to employ an accountant to do your accounts, and provide advice and assistance or better even, date your accountant and make the most out of it!