Andy Burnham initially suggested increasing the tax-free personal allowance, citing public frustration. However, sources close to him later clarified that such changes are not part of his immediate cost-of-living plan, emphasizing fiscal discipline and Labour's manifesto commitments, with government sources also confirming no short-term plans.
UK Isa reforms, including the replacement of the Lifetime Isa (Lisa) with a First-Time Buyer (FTB) Isa by 2028, aim to simplify savings but may increase complexity and reduce value for young homebuyers. The new FTB Isa will have no upper age limit but will pay the government bonus only upon property purchase, losing potential compounded interest.
Comcast plans to spin off NBCUniversal and Sky into a new publicly traded company via a tax-free spinoff, expected to complete in about a year, to better compete in the media landscape.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom advocates for a nationwide tax on billionaires, dubbed an "economic reset for America," while reiterating his opposition to a state-level wealth tax proposal set for a November vote, arguing it would drive wealth out of California.
PPF accounts mature after 15 years, offering investors a choice to withdraw or extend in 5-year blocks for continued tax-free compounding. Experts advise basing the decision on individual circumstances, especially post-retirement, considering factors like income sources and liquidity needs. High-income earners benefit from its EEE tax structure, making it attractive compared to taxable fixed-income options.
New 'Trump Accounts' (530A accounts) allow children to build savings in Roth IRAs without earned income, offering tax-free growth. Families can contribute up to $5,000 annually, with employers adding $2,500. A key strategy involves converting pre-tax funds to a Roth IRA, but 'kiddie tax' rules pose a significant risk.
A German court ruled that border shops cannot sell drink cans without deposit to Danish consumers, overturning an exception previously used for export. The Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) had sued, citing violations of German packaging laws and environmental concerns over millions of cans ending up in Danish nature.
Germany may overhaul its crypto tax rules from 2027, potentially curbing the country’s hallmark one-year tax-free holding rule as it tightens enforcement and seeks extra revenue.
HMRC has launched a campaign to contact 21-year-olds with unclaimed Child Trust Funds, tax-free savings accounts set up by the Labour government in 2005. Over 6 million CTFs were created for children born between September 2002 and January 2011, with average balances of £2,200. More than 750,000 accounts remain unclaimed despite two-thirds of recipients being over 18 and entitled to access their money.
Stratiphy has launched a new offering providing UK investors with a tax-free route back into crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) after regulatory shifts effectively shut them out. The Financial Conduct Authority lifted its four-year ban on retail access to crypto ETNs in October 2025, but HMRC later ruled that new purchases would only qualify for Innovative Finance ISAs, a niche product no platform offered. Stratiphy now offers three 21Shares ETNs covering Bitcoin, Ether and a Bitcoin-gold blend.
