DEAR DIARY
Full list of key money dates for your diary this year
Avoid late fines and other pitfalls with these diary dates
WHETHER it’s renewing insurance, completing a tax return or remembering to re-apply for certain benefits, missing key financial dates can be costly.
From the final dates before late fines kick in to Black Friday, here’s everything that should be in your diary for the rest of the financial year.
1
May: Apply for free childcare
Working mums and dads with babies from nine-months-old can access 15 hours of free childcare from September - but they need to apply now for a code to access the benefit.
To get the free hours, you need to open a childcare government at account and apply for a code for free childcare.
This code then needs to be given to your chosen childcare provider so they can claim funds for the free hours.
Crucially you need to apply for a code ahead of the term in which your child is due to start care.
Read more on money
July 1: New energy price caps
The energy price cap sets the maximum amount that energy companies can charge per unit of energy.
It’s not a cap on your total bill, but will determine how much you pay
overall.
It’s worth tracking how this changes, and looking to see whether you can switch and save.
It will also help you prepare for any planned rises.
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If you have a gas and electricity meter then you will need to take a meter reading before this date to ensure you're correctly billed.
July 31: Deadline for second payment on account
If you pay tax through self-assessment, the money you owe will typically be split into two advance payments.
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You need to pay the second “payment on account” by July
31 or you’ll have to pay a penalty.
August 1: End of alcohol duty freeze
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt froze alcohol duty until August, so the prices of booze could shoot up from then if it's not frozen again.
September 1: Free childcare expansion
Parents rejoice as 15 hours of free childcare starts for children aged between nine months and two years.
To be eligible for support, you’ll need to earn between £8,670 and £100,000.
But you must apply now to get a code to access the benefit as we've explained earlier.
October 1: New energy price caps
The energy price cap will be amended again as the colder months set in and will impact how much energy companies can charge over this time.
Again, if you have a gas and electricity meter you will need to take a meter reading ahead of this date.
Add a note to your diary so you can review your bills.
October 5: Registering for self-assessment
If you need to file a self-assessment tax return and you’ve never completed one before, you must alert HMRC by this date by registering for self-assessment.
This could be because you’ve got self-employed income of more than £1,000, you have a total taxable income of more than £150,000, you need to pay Capital Gains Tax, or you claim Child Benefit and need to pay some of it back through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
You might also need to self-assess if you have untaxed income such as money from renting out a property, earning tips or commission, having income from savings, investments and dividends, or earning foreign income.
You can tell HMRC by registering for self assessment - visit gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment for more info.
October 31: Paper self-assessment tax return
If you’re submitting a paper tax return, it needs to be in by midnight on this date.
November: Autumn statement
Typically, this is when the Government gives an update on the state of the economy and announces new legislation.
The date has not been announced yet, and whether the statement will go ahead – and what it includes – will likely depend on the timing
of the general election.
November 29: Black Friday
You can pick up a load of bargains as shops and retailers slash prices for a limited time to get Christmas shopping started.
Shop around to make sure you're actually getting a good deal before making a purchase.
December 17: Last day to call a general election
The Government must call a general election by this date, as it is five years after the last parliament met for the first time.
The Government may announce an election before this, but if it doesn’t then the election will take place on January 28.
December 30: Online self-assessment return deadline – if you want tax collected from your wages
Submit your online return by December 30 if you want HMRC to automatically collect tax you owe from your wages and pension.
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December 31: Bus fare cap ends
The £2 cap on single bus journeys in England is expected to end on December 31, although the scheme has already been extended several times.
The cap has saved people 30% on the average fare.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity works out what you could get.
Entitledto's determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
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