Changes to Your Finances in April 2026: What You Need to Know

As April approaches, it's essential to stay on top of the various financial changes that will impact your wallet.

April marks the end of the tax year, bringing with it a range of adjustments to personal allowances and financial thresholds.

One significant change is the reset of personal allowances, such as ISA limits and pension contributions, which will be refreshed for the new tax year.

However, the news isn't all positive, as many households will face increased bills and expenses from April, affecting their overall financial situation.

For workers, the minimum wage will increase, with those aged 21 and over seeing a rise to £12.71 per hour, while younger workers will also receive a pay boost.

Council tax bills are set to rise by up to 5% in many areas, with some councils given special permission to introduce even larger increases, affecting local residents.

The cost of watching TV will also go up, with the TV licence fee rising to £180 from April, a change that will impact many households.

Water bills will increase by an average of £33 per year, or 5.4%, as part of a broader trend of rising utility costs.

Drivers will face higher road tax rates, with the standard rate rising to £200 for vehicles registered from April 2017, and other rates also increasing.

Mobile and broadband providers will hike their prices by up to £4 per month, adding to the growing list of expenses facing consumers.

NHS dental charges will rise by 1.7% from April, affecting the cost of routine check-ups, fillings, and other treatments.

Air travel will become more expensive, with Air Passenger Duty increasing by 15% from April, resulting in higher ticket prices.

While the Ofgem energy price cap is falling in April, analysts warn of a significant rise in energy costs later in the year, which could impact household budgets.

As the current tax year draws to a close, individuals should make the most of their tax allowances before they reset on April 6.

Sole traders and landlords with higher incomes will be required to adopt digital record-keeping and quarterly tax updates from April 6, as part of the Making Tax Digital initiative.

Changes to Inheritance Tax reliefs will be introduced in April, including a new cap and tax relief for assets above a certain threshold.

The Dividend Tax rate will increase for both basic and higher-rate taxpayers from April 6, affecting individuals who receive dividend payments.

The rate of Capital Gains Tax applicable to certain business reliefs will rise from 14% to 18% from April 6, impacting entrepreneurs and investors.

Those working from home will no longer be able to claim tax relief for household expenses from April 6, a change that will affect many remote workers.

The two-child benefit cap will be abolished from April 6, allowing low-income families to claim more in means-tested benefits for larger families.

Postal prices will also increase, with first-class stamps rising by 10p to £1.80 from April 7, and second-class stamps going up by 4p.

Various welfare payments, including Child Benefit and Universal Credit, will rise by between 3.8% and 6.2% from April, providing some relief for recipients.

Lastly, the state pension will increase by 4.8% under the triple lock promise, ensuring that pensioners receive a higher income from April.

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