PAYE collection for HICBC

The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) was introduced in January 2013 as a way to claw back child benefit via the tax system. It has always caused administrative problems for HMRC and taxpaying families, as it dragged many employees into the self-assessment regime simply to pay their HICBC. At long last, HMRC has launched a system to allow the charge to be collected through PAYE without the need for a full tax return. For more information, see https://www.gov.uk/child- benefit-tax-charge/pay-tax-charge-paye

✣ The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax advice. Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.

Cap lifted on tuition fees

In England, university tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year rose for the first time since 2017. However, the £285 rise (to £9,535) will not be the last for another eight years. In October the government announced that fees will rise in line with forecast inflation for the next two academic years by which time fresh legislation would trigger automatic yearly increases in line with inflation. The £10,000+ tuition fee may be only two years away...