Mike Forrest

Could you be more financially savvy this tax year?

March, and spring more generally, is often a time for fresh starts. And now your tax allowances are getting one too. The new tax year begins on 6 April, giving you time to plan how you’ll use all those new allowances to your advantage.

Take your ISA allowance. It can be tempting to leave it until the last minute to use it up. But, if you’re able to pay into it at the beginning of the year, you’re potentially getting a whole extra 12 months of time for your savings to grow.

A review right at the start of the tax year, or just before it, can also help us spot if there are any tax incentives you could use throughout the year.

You might be surprised just how many people don’t do this - and miss out on money that’s rightfully theirs. These tax incentives can be things like increasing your pension contributions or charitable giving to help offset your income tax.

I can also draw up a cashflow model to bring this to life. The model allows us to explore and compare different strategies and scenarios, so you can see the difference it will make to your long-term finances and goals.

If you want to find out more about the savvy financial strategies I could help you with this tax year, feel free to get in touch.

Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.

Stocks and Shares ISAs invest in corporate bonds, stocks and shares and other assets that fluctuate in value.

Tax Planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited & Quilter Mortgage Planning Limited. November 2025.

As a self-employed Certified Financial Planner and a Chartered Wealth Manager, I deliver tailored, comprehensive financial solutions to meet my clients' unique needs. Before I joined Quilter Financial Advisers, I built a distinguished career as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser, with over two decades of experience in financial leadership, strategic business planning, and tax advisory.

My experience spans senior roles in private equity, project finance, and fund and asset management. I have led teams providing financial and asset management services to portfolios exceeding £1 billion, delivering innovative solutions across diverse industries. My diverse background enables me to address each client’s circumstances and provide the clarity and confidence they need to successfully navigate their financial journey.

I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments, holding the Investment Advice Diploma and Diploma in Advanced Financial Planning (Level 7). I am also a Fellow of ICAEW, CIOT, and CIMA. My academic credentials include a Doctorate in from Heriot-Watt University (specialising in tax and strategy), a PgDip from the University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, and an MA (Hons) from the University of Glasgow.