Plan to put pounds in pocket before tax-year end

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And with time running out until the end of the current tax year on April 5, you should start planning now.

"Everyone should sort out their finances at least once a year and the run-up to the end of the tax year is an ideal time to do so," says Andy Gadd, head of research at independent financial adviser Lighthouse Group.

"Although tax planning is important, especially as the end of the tax year approaches, it is always vital to remember the old adage that tax planning should not dictate investment decisions, but rather the other way round."

Examining your savings, ensuring you are making full use of tax allowances, boosting your pension pot and looking at the new capital gains tax and inheritance tax rules, due to come into force on April 6, can pay dividends.

Use our "top tips" guide to give yourself an end-of-tax-year financial boost:

* Pensions

Contributions to personal pensions currently benefit from tax relief at 22 percent (the basic rate of income tax).

In fact, they are paid into most arrangements net of tax, then the sum is grossed up by the tax relief.

But the government plans to alter the basic rate of tax relief to 20 percent in the next tax year and this will reduce the amount by which payments are "grossed up", so think about making one-off pension contributions before April 6 to benefit.

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