5 April 2027: End of the tax year
The 2026/27 tax year ends on 5 April 2027. Allowances that are not used by then are gone.
Who it applies to
Everyone, and especially company directors deciding on dividends and pension contributions, and anyone with ISA or capital gains allowances to use.
What has to happen
The personal allowance, the dividend allowance, the ISA allowance and the Capital Gains Tax annual exempt amount all run by tax year and do not carry forward. A dividend voted on 6 April falls into the next year's figures.
For a company, the timing of a bonus, a dividend or a pension contribution around 5 April can move tax from one year to another, so it is worth discussing with your accountant in March.
If you miss it
Nothing is filed on this date. If you miss it, any allowance left unused for 2026/27 is lost.
What to do
Have the salary, dividend and pension conversation in February or March. The salary and dividend calculator gives a first view.
