Charlotte Hayes-Whitmore
UK Personal Finance Writer
Personal finance journalist covering UK tax, take-home pay and the small print of every Budget since 2015. Charlotte specialises in fiscal drag, the £100K trap and student loans.
Guides & reports by Charlotte Hayes-Whitmore
Articles by Charlotte Hayes-Whitmore
By Charlotte Hayes-Whitmore
State Pension Tax Trap: Why Retirees Now Pay Income Tax
The full new state pension is £12,547.60. The personal allowance is £12,570. Just £22.40 apart — and that gap is why more pensioners than ever face a tax bill.
By Charlotte Hayes-Whitmore
Dividend Tax Up 2%: The New Best Split for Directors
Dividend tax rose to 10.75% and 35.75% on 6 April 2026. We ran the numbers: low salary plus dividends still wins — but by less. Here is the new optimal split.
By Charlotte Hayes-Whitmore
The UK £100K Tax Trap: The 60% Rate Nobody Warned You About
Earn between £100,000 and £125,140 and you face a 60% effective tax rate as your personal allowance disappears. Here is how the trap works and how to escape.
By Charlotte Hayes-Whitmore
UK Take-Home Pay 2026/27: What Changed This Tax Year?
The 2026/27 UK tax year started 6 April 2026. Personal allowance frozen at £12,570. NLW at £12.71/hr. We show exactly what you take home at every salary level.