Business

As the New Year kicks off, many UK workers could be at risk of incurring a fine of £300 or more. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) may start issuing these fines before employees have even had a chance to fully embrace the New Year.The government department has previously cautioned that anyone required to complete a Self Assessment must pay the tax they owe by 11.59pm on January 31, 2026 at the latest. This deadline strictly pertains to individuals who need to file an online tax return, as opposed to a paper one which should have been submitted by October 31 last year.If you have not already submitted your paper returns when required, you will already be subject to late filing penalties. Remember, you must submit a Self Assessment tax return if you were categorised as a self-employed 'sole ...

Brits planning to make extra cash through a side hustle have been urged to double check if they need to pay extra income tax. The post-Christmas period often involves scrimping and saving to make up for festive overindulgence, with some even pawning unwanted gifts or unused personal items. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued new guidance for sellers on whether they will have to pay tax on the additional income or not to avoid nasty last-minute surprises.Those selling used clothes or old TVs don't need to pay extra, because such small-scale "hustles" don't make them official traders. Only sales of unwanted personal belongings that exceed £6,000 in a single sale warrant informing HMRC, as sellers could be eligible for capital gains tax.Those selling items that they have either made o...

« Le Printemps du Jiangnan », de Qiu Ying (encre sur soie de la dynastie Ming, 1368-1644). WIKIMEDIA On croirait l’ouverture d’un roman de l’auteur de polars Qiu Xiaolong : une toile disparue, un musée prestigieux et une enquête d’Etat qui exhume des décennies de secrets poussiéreux. Une controverse inédite autour des collections du Musée de Nankin, dans la province du Jiangsu, secoue le milieu de l’art chinois. Le 23 décembre, Pékin a lancé une enquête après la réapparition d’un trésor du musée sur le marché des enchères. L’affaire mêle soupçons de corruption et remise en cause de décennies de conservation. L’œuvre au cœur de l’histoire : Le Printemps du Jiangnan. Un paisible paysage attribué à Qiu Ying, l’un des quatre peintr...

Steak 'n Shake COO Daniel Edwards joins 'Fox & Friends' to discuss the company making the switch from frying in vegetable oil to beef tallow. Steak ’n Shake is offering a $2.50 "Patriot Milkshake" throughout January, promoting the discount as an early nod to America’s 250th anniversary, according to a post from the company’s X account. "Steak n Shake is getting a head start on America's 250th anniversary of its founding," Steak ‘n Shake wrote on X.The promotion comes as fast food chains take sharply different approaches to pricing and cost pressures, with some leaning into discounts while others cut locations or warn against relying on promotions to drive traffic. Steak ’n Shake said in its post that the Patriot Milkshake will be available for $2.50 "all January." JACK IN THE B...

EDF customers are being urged to kick-start their New Year savings by signing up for free electricity in January.The major energy supplier is offering households four Sundays' worth of free electricity over the next month, giving customers the chance to make big savings on their energy bills on January weekends. The freebie comes as part of the supplier’s ‘Sunday Saver’ challenge, which allows eligible customers to earn free electricity on Sundays by shifting their electricity use away from weekday peak hours, between 4pm and 7pm. The more electricity customers shift away from these hours, the more free electricity they will earn for the following Sunday, with between four and 16 free hours up for grabs.According to EDF, more than 210,000 customers have already benefited from its Sunday...

The Government has issued an update on the on-going WASPI debacle (Women Against State Pension Inequality). The WASPI campaign has fought for over a decade, along with other advocacy groups, to get DWP compensation for the 1950s-born generation of women affected by the state pension for women increasing from 60 to 65 and then 66.They claim the women were not properly informed of the change and should get payouts as a result, as many did not know right up to the last minute, ruining their retirement plans.An investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommended compensation ranging from £1,000 to £2,950, concluding that the DWP should have written letters to the women sooner.The Labour Governent announced in December 2024 they would not provide any compensation, arg...

Arthritis remains the most widespread ailment, with nearly 484,000 pensioners across the UK receiving Attendance Allowance. Additionally, there are also 74,804 individuals over the age of 66 claiming support for their back pain.Back pain, particularly in the lower region, is quite common and while it usually improves within a few weeks, it can sometimes persist or recur, especially as we get older. Approximately 2.5 million people across the UK experience back pain every single day of the year, and many may not be aware that they could qualify for financial aid to cover any additional costs caused by the condition.The Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) latest figures reveal that there are now 1.7 million older individuals receiving extra financial assistance through Attendance Allo...

Santander has outlined which customers will receive £200 for free in 2026.The high street banking institution has said that account holders who complete specific requirements will receive the payment within 90 days.The international banking giant has emailed individuals who bank with Santander but don't hold their main current account there.Messages read: "It's never been easier to move your income, Direct Debits, and standing orders from your old bank to us. Plus, when you get a current account with us, you can make use of our award-winning Mobile Banking app."Santander confirmed it will "transfer £200 into your eligible account within 90 days of your request to switch when you use the Current Account Switch Service [CASS]."To qualify for the payment, individuals must make a switch req...

American Real Estate Association co-founder Jason Haber unpacks the state of the housing market and assesses Redfin’s announcement of a ‘great housing reset’ coming in 2026 on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ The U.S. housing market is moving in the right direction, but potential buyers aren't going to get too much relief in 2026, according to an industry expert.   Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones projected that inventory will continue to rise and mortgage rates will fall slightly to about 6.3%. While it's not a significant drop, it's still down from the average of 6.6% in 2025, highlighting how the market is getting "slightly more favorable for buyers." Jones quickly tempered expectations, saying the market isn't expected to "be turning a big corner in 2026."  THES...

‘Making Money’ host Charles Payne discusses 401(k) savings with Walser Wealth Management president Rebecca Walser and what it says about Americans’ retirement. The IRS unveiled contribution limit changes for popular retirement plans, including 401(k) plans and IRAs. Americans who contribute to 401(k) and 403(b) plans, as well as governmental 457 plans and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan, will see their contribution limit rise to $24,500 in 2026 – an increase from $23,500 in 2025 – the IRS announced in November.The IRA contribution limit is also rising in the new year, increasing to $7,500 in 2026 from $7,000 in 2025. People aged 50 and up who are looking to ramp up their retirement savings through the use of catch-up contributions to IRAs will be able to contribute an ...