Why the frozen Personal Allowance matters – and what pensioners should check Information correct at 2 September 2026 The important point: the State Pension is already taxable income. The issue is that the full new State Pension could soon rise above the standard tax-free Personal Allowance.   For many years, a person receiving only the…

Many families assume that once an elderly or disabled relative needs residential or nursing care, their savings and perhaps their home will automatically have to be used to pay the fees. However, there is an important area of funding in Northern Ireland that families should be aware of: Continuing Healthcare (CHC). A recent case highlighted…

7-Year Gifting Rule Explained: How Families Can Still Face Inheritance Tax Many people believe that once a gift has been made, surviving seven years means it automatically falls outside the estate for inheritance tax purposes. In principle, that is true. But the detail behind the rule is often misunderstood, and that misunderstanding can leave families…

VAT Reclaim Self Build Northern Ireland – Complete Guide to Claiming VAT If you are building your own home, you may qualify for VAT reclaim self build Northern Ireland through HMRC’s DIY Housebuilders Scheme. Many self-builders pay VAT on building materials during construction. However, HMRC allows individuals to reclaim VAT on certain materials once the…

Big changes are coming to the way many people report their income to HMRC. Under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, self-employed individuals and landlords will need to keep digital records and send updates to HMRC throughout the year instead of just filing one annual tax return. If you run a small business or…

Many people in Northern Ireland worry about how they’ll afford care if they become seriously ill or need long-term support.It’s a natural concern — nobody wants to see their life savings disappear or risk losing their home to pay for care. What many people don’t realise is that, in some cases, the Health and Social…

Welcome to the first blog post of the year on Bernard Tierney & Company’s website! As we start a new year, it’s important to stay informed about the latest developments in UK tax law. In this post, we’ll provide a summary of the most significant changes that may affect your business or personal finances in…