How to save 100% tax?

Saving 100% of tax typically involves utilizing specific legal reliefs, allowances, and structures that reduce taxable income or gains to zero. In the UK, this is achievable through pension contributions, specific business investments, and certain charitable donations.

How to avoid the 60% tax trap in the UK?

To avoid the UK's 60% tax trap (where your £100k+ income causes a rapid loss of your £12,570 personal allowance), the most effective methods involve reducing your adjusted net income below £100,000, primarily through pension contributions (personal or workplace), charitable donations (Gift Aid), salary sacrifice for benefits like company cars, or claiming all allowable employment expenses, all of which effectively give you higher-rate tax relief on the money you redirect.

How to pay less tax if you earn over 100k?

Using salary sacrifice to give up part of your salary in exchange for a non-cash benefit such as childcare vouchers or private medical insurance can also cut your adjusted net income. You can also use salary sacrifice to contribute to a pension, which means you'll pay less National Insurance as well as less tax.

What is the 4 year rule for HMRC?

The HMRC 4-year rule generally means you have four years from the end of the relevant tax year to claim a refund for overpaid tax or for HMRC to issue a discovery assessment for underpaid tax due to a genuine mistake. This limit extends to six years for "careless" errors and 20 years for "deliberate" actions, with longer periods applicable for offshore matters (12 years) or specific non-domicile regimes. The rule applies across most taxes, but timeframes vary depending on the reason for the error.
 

Can I just gift 100k to my son?

Yes, you can gift your son £100k, but it's a large sum that triggers Inheritance Tax (IHT) rules in the UK; it becomes a "Potentially Exempt Transfer" (PET) that's fully tax-free if you live for seven years after giving it, but may face IHT if you die within that period, with potential taper relief or a 40% charge depending on the timing. You can use annual exemptions (£3k/£6k) and wedding gifts (£5k) for smaller tax-free amounts, but the £100k is a large gift requiring careful planning to avoid future tax issues for your son, especially regarding income or gains from the money.

Martin Lewis: How to pay less (or no) tax on your savings – legally

How do rich people reduce their taxable income?

Key Takeaways. High earners are taxed at higher marginal rates, but proactive planning can significantly reduce taxable income. The most effective strategies combine retirement contributions, tax-advantaged accounts, and income-timing decisions rather than relying on a single tactic.

How to beat 100k tax trap?

Other ways to avoid the 60% tax trap

While pension contributions are generally considered the most effective way to redirect any extra income, making donations to charity is another option. Charitable donations eligible for Gift Aid can reduce your taxable income.

How do millionaires avoid tax in the UK?

FAQs on UK Taxation

Why do the rich pay less tax? The rich often pay less tax due to the use of tax-efficient strategies, such as investing in capital gains assets, maximising pension contributions, and utilizing tax-advantaged accounts like ISAs.

How to stop the taxman from raiding your savings?

Cash Isas are the most popular, with nearly 8 million savers stashing more than £41 billion in them in the 2022-23 tax year. Luckily for cash lovers, Isas are not the only way to shield your savings from the taxman.

What is the most unpopular tax in the UK?

UK inheritance tax is widely seen as the most unpopular tax for several reasons. Many people feel it is unfair because it taxes assets that have already been taxed during someone's lifetime. It affects emotional moments, since it applies when a family member dies, making it feel more personal and stressful.

What reduces your tax bill the most?

In this article

• Plan throughout the year for taxes.
• Contribute to your retirement accounts.
• Contribute to your HSA.
• If you're older than 70.5 years, consider a QCD.
• If you're itemizing, maximize deductions.
• Look for opportunities to leverage available tax credits.
• Consider tax-loss harvesting.
• Consider tax-gains harvesting.

Why is earning 100k bad?

In the UK, those earning between £100,000 and £125,140 fall into a notorious marginal tax trap, losing their personal allowance at a rate that pushes their effective tax rate above 60%. Add frozen thresholds, student loan repayments, national insurance, and pension contributions, and take-home pay shrinks rapidly.

What is the 5 year rule for tax in the UK?

The UK's "5-year tax rule" primarily refers to the Temporary Non-Residence (TNR) rules for Capital Gains Tax (CGT), which can bring certain gains made while living abroad back into UK tax if you return within 5 years, provided you were UK resident for 4 of the 7 tax years before leaving. It also relates to the new Inheritance Tax (IHT) rules for "long-term residents" (10 out of 20 years), where UK residence for 10+ years can trigger IHT on worldwide assets. The core concept is that extended UK residency creates potential future tax liabilities, even after leaving, especially if you return within a set timeframe. 

Why are the rich taxed so little?

The wealthy paid lower overall taxes because they were able to shelter more of their business income from taxes, and on the income they did report, tax rates were lower, the authors said.

Why doesn't Jeff Bezos have to pay taxes?

Taking Advantage of Capital Gains, Not Salary

One of the biggest reasons Bezos pays little in personal income tax is that he doesn't rely on a traditional salary. Instead, he holds most of his wealth in Amazon stock. Here's why this matters: Capital gains taxes are much lower than income taxes in most cases.

What can I write off on my taxes?

You can deduct these expenses whether you take the standard deduction or itemize:

• Alimony payments.
• Business use of your car.
• Business use of your home.
• Money you put in an IRA.
• Money you put in health savings accounts.
• Penalties on early withdrawals from savings.
• Student loan interest.
• Teacher expenses.

What is the most common tax avoidance?

Loan schemes. Perhaps the most popular example of tax avoidance is operated by companies where directors receive their income as directors' loans and then either do not repay such loans to the company or write them off at the year-end.

Who qualifies for 0% capital gains?

A capital gains rate of 0% applies if your taxable income is less than or equal to: $48,350 for single and married filing separately; $96,700 for married filing jointly and qualifying surviving spouse; and. $64,750 for head of household.

How do the rich use debt to get richer?

Borrowing to Create Wealth

This is called “gearing.” Providing you invest wisely and your assets increase in value, gearing helps you create wealth, as the income (and capital growth) from the investment pays off the debt and exceeds the costs of servicing that debt. Property or shares are often a good strategy here.

Is there a loophole around capital gains tax?

Capital Gains Tax 6 Year Rule Explained

To qualify, the property must have been your home before you left. If you sell within the six year exemption period, you can generally claim a full main residence exemption from CGT, provided you have not nominated another property as your main residence during that time.