As we move through 2026, many business owners and individuals are asking an important question:
Should 2026 finally be the year for me to draw a line under unresolved historical tax issues and move forward with confidence?
Several significant developments, both in the world around us and in your clients’ decision-making, could make 2026 a defining year for your clients’ and their tax affairs.
1. The Loan Charge – a possible further final Settlement Opportunity
The announcement in the November 2025 Budget of yet another proposed Settlement Opportunity for the Loan Charge could make 2026 the ideal time for your clients to finally put this long-running issue to bed. For many, this may be the last realistic chance to secure certainty, reduce exposure and move on with peace of mind.
If your clients are affected, it is vital to understand whether the proposed settlement could work in your favour. Find out more here.
2. Selling a business – protecting value before exit
If 2026 could be the year some of your clients may look to sell a business and enter the next phase of their life, now is the time for them to prepare.
Unresolved tax issues can seriously affect sale negotiations, valuations, and even derail transactions altogether. Buyers and their advisers will look closely at your tax history and any problems uncovered at that stage could cost your clients dearly.
2026 should be the year for clients to clean up their historical tax position, protect their sale value, and maximise what they walk away with:
3. The Spring Statement – March 2026
The Spring Statement didn’t bring any major announcements from the Government. We are still awaiting an announcement regarding a legislative change on the new loan charge settlement opportunity and the settlement terms that will allow taxpayers to resolve their loan charge liabilities. The delay in this announcement will affect those taxpayers with loan charge liabilities who are looking to:
- Sell a business.
- Pass wealth to children.
- Undertake inheritance tax and estate planning.
If your clients are considering a sale, retirement, or succession planning, the decisions they make in 2026 could have a lasting financial impact on them and their family and they should seek professional advice if they have loan charge liabilities.
4. Sleeping at night – finally sorting outstanding tax affairs
For many people, unresolved HMRC issues are a constant source of stress and uncertainty.
Is 2026 the year for your clients to sort everything out once and for all?
Wouldn’t it be a relief for your clients to remove the worry, reduce anxiety, and move forward knowing their historical tax affairs are in order?
And then there is the unexpected
There are certain life-changing events that no one can plan for, such as death and divorce. To the extent that they too can create historical tax problems to be resolved, I can help.
Tell your clients to act now!
If any of the above resonates with your clients, I strongly encourage you to advise them to act sooner rather than later. The earlier they act, the more options you are likely to have and the more control they retain over the outcome with HMRC.
If you want your clients to have clarity, peace of mind, and a clear plan for resolving outstanding tax issues in 2026, please contact me at paul@pmc.tax or on 07979 313 010 for a free initial consultation.