Key money dates for your money in 2026

2026 is nearly here, and with it comes a calendar full of money dates that could affect your bills, pay, benefits and taxes.

To help you plan ahead and avoid any nasty surprises, here’s a month-by-month guide to the key financial dates you’ll want to mark in your diary.

January

1 January – energy price cap rise

On the first day of the year, the new energy price cap will kick in.

If you pay for gas or electricity, you’re likely to see your bills rise by around 0.2%.

31 January – self-assessment deadline

31 January is the deadline for filing your 2024/25 self-assessment tax return online.

• if you miss it, you’ll automatically be fined £100
• you don’t have to be self-employed to need self-assessment
• if you have a side hustle, for example, selling online or dog-walking, and earn more than £1,000, you may need to register

HMRC is also warning to watch out for self-assessment scams, especially around the deadline.

February

5 February - interest rate decision  

The Bank of England (BoE) will announce whether interest rates are going up, down or staying the same.

This matters because it affects:

• how much you pay on loans and mortgages
• how much you earn on savings

In December, the BoE cut rates to 3.75%, the lowest level in nearly three years. Some economists think rates could fall further in 2026, so this is one to watch if you borrow money.

26 February - energy price cap announcement

Energy regulator Ofgem will announce the next price cap level, which will apply later in the year.

This gives you an early warning of whether your energy bills are likely to rise or fall.

March

Spring fiscal statement (possible)

Chancellors often make a financial statement in March, but it’s not yet confirmed for 2026.

The Treasury has said Rachel Reeves is committed to one major fiscal event per year, so this may or may not happen.

19 March – Bank of England interest rate meeting

The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets again to decide whether interest rates need to change.

April (a big month for your money)

1 April – council tax rises

Your council tax bill could increase from this date.

• councils with social care duties can raise bills by up to 4.99%
• other councils can increase them by up to 2.99%
• bigger rises require a local referendum

You can check your band using this tool on the government website. 

1 April – water bills increase

Water bills are expected to rise. Ofwat has proposed an average increase of £19 a year, but what you pay depends on your supplier.

1 April – TV licence increase  

The TV licence fee will rise in line with inflation. The exact amount for 2026 hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it’s expected to increase from the current £174.50.

1 April – car tax changes

• car tax will rise in line with RPI inflation
• electric vehicles will start paying car tax
• changes to air passenger duty also come into force

1 April - new energy price cap

A new energy price cap begins, covering 1 April to 30 June 2026.

1 April - Minimum wage increases

From April, the national living wage will increase by 4.1% to £12.71 an hour.

This will apply to full-time workers aged over 21 and works out to a pay increase of £900 a year.

The national minimum wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will go up by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour.

And workers aged 16 and 17 and those on apprenticeships will see a 6% increase, taking the minimum wage up to £8 an hour.

You can use the minimum wage calculator to find out if you're being paid the correct national minimum wage or national living wage.  

5 April – end of tax year 

If you contribute to an individual savings account (ISA) or junior version, use up your annual allowance before 5 April to avoid losing it. 

6 April – benefit and state pension increases

6 April marks a new tax year, and, with it, new state pension and new benefit rates.

• most DWP and HMRC benefits rise by 3.8%
• universal credit standard allowances get an extra 2.3% uplift
• the state pension rises by 4.8%, to £12,548 a year

From April 2026, the two-child limit will be removed, meaning families can receive the child element of universal credit for all children, regardless of family size.

6 April - Making Tax Digital begins

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for income tax self-assessment starts for some sole traders and landlords.

If this applies to you, you’ll need to:

• keep digital records
• send updates to HMRC every quarter
• use compatible software

More information about this can be found on the government website.

30 April – Bank of England interest rate meeting

June

18 June – Bank of England interest rate meeting

July

30 July – Bank of England interest rate meeting

31 July – payment on account deadline 

If you’re self-employed, this is when your second payment on account is due.

Payments on account help you spread the cost of your tax bill. If you expect to earn less than last year, you can apply to reduce your payment.

August

7 August 7 – Making Tax Digital quarterly update

If you’re part of Making Tax Digital, it’s time to submit another quarterly update.

September

17 September – Bank of England interest rate meeting

October

5 October – deadline to register for self-assessment

If you need to file a self-assessment tax return for 2025/26 and haven’t registered yet, 5 October is the deadline.

31 October – deadline for paper self-assessment

If you still file a paper tax return (now quite rare), it must be submitted by 31 October.

November

5 November – Bank of England interest rate meeting

7 November – Making Tax Digital quarterly update

26 November – Black Friday starts  

Black Friday in 2026 will start on November 27, 2026, as it always falls on the fourth Friday of November, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States.

It’s a great time for deals but be sure to ask yourself if you truly need the items before you buy them. Don’t get caught up in impulse spending! 

Check out our tips on how to score the deals while avoiding Black Friday’s buyer remorse.

Autumn budget

The date of the 2026 budget hasn't been officially announced yet, but it typically happens in late November.

This major event is where the government announces any proposed changes to taxes, welfare and public spending. 

Keep an eye on this event to stay informed about potential changes that could affect your income, benefits and overall cost of living. 

In 2025, the budget included major changes like scrapping the two-child benefit limit and freezing tax thresholds.

December

17 December – Bank of England interest rate meeting