New tax year checklist: 10 things to do before 5 April

Many tax-free allowances are use-it-or-lose-it. The tax year ends on 5 April, so work through this list in February or March.

Before 5 April

• Use your ISA allowance. Up to £20,000 a year goes in tax-free. Any unused allowance is lost.
• Top up your Lifetime ISA if you have one, to get the full £1,000 bonus.
• Consider extra pension contributions. You get tax relief at your highest rate. Higher earners near £100,000 can especially benefit.
• Claim Marriage Allowance if one partner earns under £12,570 and the other is a basic-rate taxpayer. It can be worth up to £252 a year, and you can backdate it up to four years.
• Check your National Insurance record for gaps you could fill. See our guide to buying NI years.
• Use your Capital Gains Tax allowance if you have investments outside an ISA.
• Make Gift Aid donations before the year ends if you're a higher-rate taxpayer and want to claim the extra relief this year.

After 6 April

• Check your new tax code on your first payslip of the year
• Update your budget for any changes to pay, bills or Council Tax
• Self-employed? Start a fresh tracker for the new year and keep records monthly

General information, not financial advice. Allowances can change at each Budget.