Welcome to our guide for pensioners
In this guide we will take a step-by-step approach to explain the tax world for pensioners. We expect that some people would like to understand how the whole thing works, whilst others may just want to try to solve a current problem.
We would encourage you to try to solve your tax problem for yourself because, in the long-run if you understand what is going on you can manage your tax affairs more easily in the future.
However, our experience shows that pensioners, in particular, like to speak to someone or to see them face to face when getting an explanation of tax matters. Some years ago LITRG decided that because HMRC were often failing to provide such help, we should help provide another source. We therefore founded a separate charity, Tax Help for Older People, to give free advice for older people on low incomes.
So if you really cannot solve your own problem through reading on through our website then you could try ringing the Tax Help for Older People helpline
What you can find in the Pensioners section of our website
Tax matters for the pensioner population can be complicated. In our sections on Tax essentials and Your coding notice we explain the way the tax system works and cover the most common tax events for pensioners.
We then move on to cover Life events, those things that happen from time to time, but not every day. Some may never happen to you, but if they do you might need help.
Because pensioners from time to time wonder whether they might be liable to taxes they have heard about, but don’t really understand, we have added sections on capital gains tax and inheritance tax.
People on the very lowest of incomes can get involved in the tax system and need to understand some of the rules that apply to them: we have provided a special section to help which we have called On a very low income?
Sometimes if you do not agree with HMRC or you have been badly treated, you will want to appeal or complain and our section Tax appeals and complaints will help you to do that.
If you need a quick summary of current tax and national insurance rates we have set these out in Tax and NIC rates.
Sometimes it is helpful to have the computer do the hard work and provide you with a calculation of some sort so we scour the internet for those that we think might be most helpful and provide descriptions in our Calculators section.
We have also included a section on Council tax and business rates outlining the rules and looking at the special reliefs available
Finally, if you do not think we have covered what you wanted to know or you would like to tell us of your experiences so that we might learn and try to get things changed then please do contact us.
Throughout this site we can only offer general guidance on tax topics and you should always obtain specific advice before taking any action.
