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Tax careers – your future?
Find out about exciting career opportunities in the world of tax and how to get started.

Tax for student money advisers
How you can help students with tax issues: guidance and training materials for advisers.

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  • Volunteering and training
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  • Tax refunds
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News

What's happening in the world of student tax

Any questions? I have almost finished repaying my student loan – how do I avoid overpaying?

We have received a question recently from a student loan borrower who has almost finished repaying their student loan.

Any questions? I’m a student moving home to start my new course – will I have to pay council tax?

We regularly receive queries via our website. We do not give advice, but we try to signpost sources of further information and support. We have received a question recently on whether a new student moving from home will have to pay council tax.

Welsh income tax begins

From 6 April 2019, income tax is partially devolved from the UK government to the Welsh government. Welsh income tax is not a separate tax. It is administered and collected by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in the same way as UK income tax, as this article explains.

Any questions? What is the personal allowance?

We regularly receive queries via our website. We do not give advice, but we try to signpost sources of further information and support. Occasionally we will post them anonymously as ‘question and answer’ news items. Here, we were asked about the personal allowance for students.

Any questions? Will my family still get tax credits if I am a student?

We regularly receive queries via our website. Occasionally we will post them anonymously as ‘question and answer’ news items. Here, we were asked by a school-leaver whether their parents will still receive tax credits if they are a full-time student.

Any questions? National Minimum Wage for apprentices

We regularly receive queries via our website. We do not give advice, but we try to signpost sources of further information and support. Occasionally we will post them anonymously as ‘question and answer’ news items. Here, we were asked about what is the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for an apprentice.

Any questions? National Minimum Wage for apprentices

We regularly receive queries and try to signpost sources of further information and support. Some of the replies might be useful to others, so occasionally we will post them as ‘question and answer’ news items. Here, we were asked about what is the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for an apprentice.

July 2017 newsletter

Welcome to another regular newsletter from the Tax Guide for Students (TGFS) website. The purpose of the newsletter is to highlight any topical tax issues which may affect students, apprentices and student money advisers.

May 2017 newsletter

Welcome to another newsletter from the Tax Guide for Students (TGFS) website. The purpose of the newsletter is to highlight any topical tax issues which may affect students, apprentices and student money advisers.

April 2017 newsletter

Welcome to another regular newsletter from the Tax Guide for Students (TGFS) website. The purpose of the newsletter is to highlight any topical tax issues which may affect students, apprentices and student money advisers.

March 2017 newsletter

Welcome to this regular newsletter from the Tax Guide for Students (TGFS) website. The purpose of the newsletter is to highlight any topical tax issues which may affect students, apprentices and student money advisers.

January 2017 newsletter

Welcome to the first regular newsletter for 2017 from the Tax Guide for Students (TGFS) website. The purpose of the newsletter is to highlight any topical tax issues which may affect students, apprentices and student money advisers.

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

The LITRG has responded to a Department for Education consultation on the introduction of Postgraduate Doctoral Loans.

December 2016 newsletter

Welcome to the last regular newsletter for 2016 from the Tax Guide for Students (TGFS) website. The purpose of the newsletter is to highlight any topical tax issues which may affect students, apprentices and student money advisers.

November 2016 newsletter

Welcome to the first regular newsletter from the Tax Guide for Students (TGFS) website. The purpose of the newsletter is to highlight any topical tax issues which may affect students, apprentices and student money advisers.

Help design a new service for tax appeals

We have recently been in touch with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), as plans are under way to create an online appeals service for people challenging decisions by HMRC. As part of their work, the MOJ is looking for volunteers to attend a workshop about how the new service should be designed.

Students – how much tax are you paying?

If you are starting university this month or returning to continue your course then it might be a good time to think about tax. Funding your way through your course can be tricky, so make sure you check your tax now and throughout the year ahead to ensure you aren’t paying too much.

I am a student – do I need to pay council tax?

You may have recently received a Council tax bill for 2016-17 – this is an area of tax that students find particularly confusing. Often students are unsure whether they are responsible for paying council tax and if they are responsible then whether they are exempt from paying it.

Welcome - the National Living Wage!

From 1 April, workers on the National Minimum Wage who are aged 25 and over, are entitled to a 50p per hour increase in their wage – the ‘National Living Wage’.

HMRC to start sending out Scottish taxpayer notification letters

HMRC have indicated that Scottish taxpayer notification letters will start to arrive on taxpayers’ doormats on Wednesday 2 December. Individuals will receive a letter if HMRC have reason to believe they are a Scottish taxpayer under the rules for the Scottish Rate of Income Tax (SRIT).

Autumn Statement – ‘security first’, but many low-income workers lose out

The Chancellor introduced his Autumn Statement and Spending Review 2015 by saying that it delivers on the Government’s commitment to “put security first”, both national security and economic security for working people.

Do you live in Scotland? New Tax Guide for Students guidance available

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has created new guidance in the ‘tax essentials’ section of the Tax Guide for Students website, providing information on the Scottish rate of income tax (SRIT). The guidance looks at what the SRIT is, how it works and who has to pay it.

Working during the summer – can you claim a repayment of tax?

The long summer break is a great opportunity for students to earn a bit of extra cash. However, you may have noticed tax deducted – probably the last thing you wanted to happen! Well the good news is that you probably can claim that tax back. We will walk you through the process.

NMW campaign – a chance for employers in the hair & beauty sector to ensure they comply with the law

HMRC have just launched a campaign in July 2015 to encourage employers in the hair and beauty sector to ensure that they are complying with National Minimum Wage (NMW) legislation.

Starting work for the first time? New Tax Guide for Students guidance available

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has created new guidance in the ‘employed’ section of the TGFS website, providing information on various tax issues that you might face when you first start work as an employee, plus links to other relevant webpages and resources on the TGFS website.

Tax tips if you are working this summer

Lectures have finished for the summer! Many students will be looking for a summer vacation job – but do you understand your tax position?

A mixed bag of a Summer Budget – but many low-income workers lose out

The Chancellor styled his Summer Budget 2015 as one “that puts security first”, both national security and economic security for working people. The watchword was “bold”, as he announced significant changes to both the tax and welfare systems.

HM Revenue & Customs withdraw all 0845 numbers

HMRC have announced that they are withdrawing all their 0845 helpline telephone numbers from 30 June 2015. Callers should use the 03 helpline telephone numbers instead.

Time is running out to claim your tax refund!

Many working students pay too much tax during the tax year under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system, and then have to claim it back at the end of the tax year if their earnings have not exceeded the annual tax free personal allowance.

Are you a landlord? Happy that you have your tax affairs in order?

Letting out part of a property can be a daunting prospect and a big responsibility. However, it is important that you do not forget to inform HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and pay your tax.

Finished working at your Christmas job? Make sure you have not paid too much tax.

The Christmas period is a good opportunity for students to make some extra money in a part-time job such as shop or bar work. However, you may have noticed on your payslip that tax was deducted; well the good news is that you can probably claim the tax back – this article will explain the process.

Changes for the self-employed

Many students are setting up their own businesses and becoming self-employed while they are studying. The way Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NIC) are collected is changing and this will affect all those who are self-employed.

Tax returns – do you need to complete one?

With the festive season upon us, we are often so busy that jobs such as completing your tax return are put to the bottom of the list. Hopefully this article can help point you in the right direction and may result in you not needing to file a tax return after all.

The Autumn Statement – how will the measures announced affect students and apprentices?

There were only a few announcements in the recent Autumn Statement which will affect students and apprentices. We explain below how these changes may affect you.

Celebrating Small Business Saturday, 6 December 2014

To all those starting up a new business and would-be entrepreneurs - pay attention to your tax and accounting responsibilities.

PAYE tax calculations – be sure to check yours

Media reports in October suggested that HMRC have issued a number of incorrect 2014/15 tax calculations to PAYE taxpayers. It is hoped that this is a relatively small figure, but what should you do if you have received a calculation in recent weeks?

Claiming for repayment of tax when you have stopped working

The long summer break is a great opportunity for students to earn a little bit of extra cash. However, you may have noticed tax deducted – probably the last thing you wanted to happen! Well the good news is that you probably can claim that tax back. We will walk you through the process.

Spending a year of your course abroad?

Whether you are going abroad to work, study, or a mixture of both, you should be aware that there are potential tax consequences – you get no special treatment just because you are a student. Here we tell you what you need to know before you go.

Increase in the National Minimum Wage

Many students work part-time whether during term-time, in vacations or all year round. A lot of student jobs pay the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which is the lowest amount that employers can legally pay their employees. The good news is that the NMW will increase on 1 October.

If you are disabled, make sure you claim all your benefits

At the start of another academic year, it is a good time to make sure you are claiming all the benefits you may be entitled to. As well as benefits that all disabled people might receive, there are some additional benefits available to students.

Moving into new accommodation – what do you need to know about council tax?

It’s a new academic year and many students will be moving into rental accommodation, perhaps for the first time. One of the many things that students will need to sort out is whether they need to pay council tax.

Is something phishy going on?

Students starting or returning to their courses are being warned to watch out for ‘phishing’ scams sent to them via email or text message. Make sure you don’t get caught in the fraudsters’ nets.

Jobseeker’s Allowance – can you claim this summer?

Are you a full time university student? Fruitlessly searching for a summer job? Do you have a dependent child, or have you taken time out of a course due to illness or caring responsibilities? If you have said yes to these questions, read our introduction to claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Do you know when you start repaying your student loan and how much you repay?

We offer guidance on what you should do after you leave your course.

Apply for your student loan now!

If you haven’t done it already, you should apply for your student loan now for the session starting in autumn 2014 – that should minimise any delay in receiving your money.

Are you being paid the National Minimum Wage?

Many students will be working part-time during the summer break; they need to ensure they are receiving proper pay for their hard work under the National Minimum Wage (NMW) laws.

Summer vacation work for students

Summer vacation is here! But hold on – how are you going to finance your lifestyle over the summer?

Make sure you keep more of your wages

Checking the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax code that is applied against your wages could mean you pay less tax as you go along – and will help you identify if you are due to get a tax refund.

Claim your tax refund or lose it forever!

Many working students who pay tax during the tax year under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system, only to have to claim it back at the end of the tax year when it becomes clear that their earnings have not exceeded the annual tax free personal allowance (£9,440 in 2013/14).

A Budget for earners and savers – but what of the lowest paid?

For individual taxpayers, the cornerstone of the Chancellor’s 2014 Budget speech was ‘hard-working people [keeping] more of what they earn and more of what they save’. What about those on the lowest incomes?

Press Release: Raise in threshold good but money could better help elsewhere, say charity

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget announcement on the rise in the personal tax allowance, the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) generally welcomes the increase but points out that those on low incomes will benefit less than higher-rate taxpayers.

Tax scams can cost you – protect your cash

Students are urged to take every precaution not to be defrauded by scam emails purporting to come from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) or the Student Loans Company (SLC).

News

  • Any questions? I have almost finished repaying my student loan – how do I avoid overpaying?
  • Any questions? I’m a student moving home to start my new course – will I have to pay council tax?
  • Welsh income tax begins
  • Any questions? What is the personal allowance?
  • Any questions? Will my family still get tax credits if I am a student?
  • Any questions? National Minimum Wage for apprentices
  • Any questions? National Minimum Wage for apprentices
  • July 2017 newsletter
  • May 2017 newsletter
  • April 2017 newsletter
  • March 2017 newsletter
  • January 2017 newsletter
  • Postgraduate Doctoral Loans
  • December 2016 newsletter
  • November 2016 newsletter
  • Help design a new service for tax appeals
  • Students – how much tax are you paying?
  • I am a student – do I need to pay council tax?
  • Welcome - the National Living Wage!
  • HMRC to start sending out Scottish taxpayer notification letters
  • Autumn Statement – ‘security first’, but many low-income workers lose out
  • Do you live in Scotland? New Tax Guide for Students guidance available
  • Working during the summer – can you claim a repayment of tax?
  • NMW campaign – a chance for employers in the hair & beauty sector to ensure they comply with the law
  • Starting work for the first time? New Tax Guide for Students guidance available
  • Tax tips if you are working this summer
  • A mixed bag of a Summer Budget – but many low-income workers lose out
  • HM Revenue & Customs withdraw all 0845 numbers
  • Time is running out to claim your tax refund!
  • Are you a landlord? Happy that you have your tax affairs in order?
  • Finished working at your Christmas job? Make sure you have not paid too much tax.
  • Changes for the self-employed
  • Tax returns – do you need to complete one?
  • The Autumn Statement – how will the measures announced affect students and apprentices?
  • Celebrating Small Business Saturday, 6 December 2014
  • PAYE tax calculations – be sure to check yours
  • Claiming for repayment of tax when you have stopped working
  • Spending a year of your course abroad?
  • Increase in the National Minimum Wage
  • If you are disabled, make sure you claim all your benefits
  • Moving into new accommodation – what do you need to know about council tax?
  • Is something phishy going on?
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance – can you claim this summer?
  • Do you know when you start repaying your student loan and how much you repay?
  • Apply for your student loan now!
  • Are you being paid the National Minimum Wage?
  • Summer vacation work for students
  • Make sure you keep more of your wages
  • Claim your tax refund or lose it forever!
  • A Budget for earners and savers – but what of the lowest paid?
  • Press Release: Raise in threshold good but money could better help elsewhere, say charity
  • Tax scams can cost you – protect your cash
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