One Month to Go: Smart Financial Moves Before the Tax Year Ends

Use these final weeks to protect your wealth, reduce your tax bill, and start the new year stronger

It’s March and with just one month left before the end of the 2025/26 tax year, this is your final window to take action that could significantly reduce your tax exposure and boost your long-term financial position.

Whether you’re a high-earning healthcare professional, a business owner preparing for retirement, or simply looking to make your money work harder – now is the time to review, refine, and reset.

At FTA Financial & Wealth Management, here’s what we’re helping our clients prioritise before 5 April 2026.

1. Maximise Your ISA Allowance (£20,000 per person)

Your tax-free ISA allowance resets every year and cannot be rolled over.

Now is the time to:

• Top up your Stocks & Shares ISA for long-term, tax-free growth
• Use your Cash ISA for short term cash requirements
• Maximise both you and your spouse/partner’s allowances (total of £40,000 as a couple)
• Consider a Junior ISA (£9,000 allowance) if you have children or grandchildren

Why act now?

Market conditions may fluctuate, but time in the market and tax efficiency matter more and you’ll lose this year’s allowance if you wait.

2. Use Pension Contributions to Reduce Tax

With the annual pension allowance now up to £60,000 (plus carry-forward from the previous three tax years), pensions remain one of the most powerful ways to:

• Cut your income tax bill
• Build long-term retirement wealth

If you’re a practice owner or limited company director, you may also be able to make employer contributions through your business saving on corporation tax up to 25%.

Act soon – pension contributions can take time to process and must be in before the 5 April deadline to count for this tax year.

3. Offset Gains Before CGT Allowance Shrinks Again

This year’s Capital Gains Tax allowance is currently £3,000.

If you’ve made gains on investments, property, or the sale of a business asset, this is your chance to:

• Use this year’s exemption before it’s gone
• Offset historic losses against gains
• Transfer assets between spouses before sales to make use of both allowances
• Consider reinvesting into ISAs or pensions to shelter future gains from tax altogether

4. Review Your Income – Especially if You’re Near a Threshold

If your income is close to:

• £60,000 (Child Benefit begins to be reduced and is effectively lost at £80,000)
• £100,000 (Personal allowance begins to be reduced by £1 for every £2 until this is effectively lost at £125,140)

You may benefit from:

• Making personal pension contributions to reduce taxable income
• Using effective salary/dividend planning if you run a business
• Making charitable donations for additional tax relief
• Spreading income between tax years, if possible

March is the last chance to take control before your tax position for the year is locked in.

5. Book Your Annual Financial Review

The end of the tax year is also a great opportunity to:

• Revisit your financial goals and timelines
• Review your investment strategy in light of market changes
• Check your protection policies are still fit for purpose
• Discuss exit strategies and retirement planning if you’re considering selling a practice in the next 1–3 years

At FTA Financial & Wealth Management, we treat financial planning as a living process, not a once-a-year tick-box exercise.

Final Thought: Act Now, Benefit All Year

There’s still time to take advantage of this year’s tax allowances, but time is running out.

Taking action in March can mean:

• Paying less tax
• Keeping more of your income
• Growing your wealth more tax efficiently
• Starting the new tax year with a clear plan and renewed confidence

Let’s get your 2025/26 tax year wrapped up efficiently

Get in touch today to speak to one of our experienced team.