Autumn Budget 2026: what to do before 28 October

The Autumn Budget will be delivered on Wednesday 28 October 2026, with the Office for Budget Responsibility publishing its forecast the same day. As with every Budget, the weeks before it are full of rumours about tax rises.

Our advice is simple: don't make big, irreversible decisions on the back of headlines. But there are a few checks worth doing now.

Five sensible pre-Budget checks

1. Know your numbers. Get up-to-date management accounts so you know your profit for the year to date. You can't plan without them.
2. Review your profit extraction. Dividend tax rates rose to 10.75% (basic) and 35.75% (higher) in April 2026. Check whether your salary, dividend and pension mix is still right.
3. Use pension contributions. Employer pension contributions remain one of the most tax-efficient ways to take value out of a company. Make sure you understand your annual allowance first.
4. Plan any business sale or exit carefully. Business Asset Disposal Relief is now 18%. If you are thinking about selling, talk to us before agreeing terms.
5. Check your family and succession plans. Business and agricultural property relief at 100% is now capped at the first £2.5m of qualifying assets, and pensions come into inheritance tax from April 2027.

What not to do

Don't rush to take large dividends, sell assets or restructure the company just because of a rumour. Many announcements take effect from the following April, and acting early can cost more than it saves.

After the Budget

We'll publish a plain-English summary for owner-managed businesses straight after the announcement, and contact our clients where a change affects them directly.

This article is general guidance based on the position at the date shown and is not advice for your circumstances. Speak to us before acting.