Autumn Budget 2026: a business owner’s guide

The businesses best prepared for the Autumn Budget 2026 will be the ones that did their homework before it, not after. Rumours are cheap and plentiful, but a clear view of your own numbers is worth far more. 

With the Autumn Budget landing on Wednesday 28th October 2026, the usual pre-Budget speculation is in full swing. Capital Gains Tax, pensions, property and further taxes on banking are all being floated. Most of these ideas will stay exactly that: floated. 

So, let’s set the guesswork aside and focus on what you can do before 28^th October.  

Why preparation beats prediction 

The Chancellor’s room for manoeuvre is tight. The November 2025 Budget left headroom against the fiscal rules of roughly £22bn, a slim buffer by historic standards and one that a modest rise in borrowing costs can erode quickly. 

That matters for you, because a Chancellor with little spare cash tends to tinker around the edges rather than tear things up. The likelier outcome is a series of small adjustments rather than a revolution. Businesses that already know where they stand can absorb these without breaking stride. 

1. Corporation Tax: know your band

The main rate is 25%. Companies with profits of £50,000 or less pay the 19% small profits rate, with a sliding scale up to £250,000. 

Few expect the headline rates to move, as stability on Corporation Tax has been a stated Government priority. But “unlikely to change” isn’t the same as “nothing to do”. 

Before the Budget: check which band your profits are likely to fall into this financial year. If you’re close to a threshold, the timing of income and spending before your year-end can make a real difference to your bill. 

2. Business rates: the new bill is the real news 

The rates system changed in April 2026. Retail, hospitality and leisure premises now pay lower rates, funded by a higher rate on properties with a rateable value of £500,000 or more. Transitional support is in place to soften the jump for smaller firms. 

In other words, the big change has already happened, and the Budget is unlikely to add much on top. 

Before the Budget: if you’ve had a new rates bill this year, put the actual figure into your forecasts now. Don’t wait for the Chancellor to tell you what you already know. 

3. Capital allowances: use what’s already on the table 

Businesses currently have a range of accelerated allowances available, including 100% full expensing for companies, the Annual Investment Allowance giving an in-year deduction of up to £1m, as well as the 40% first-year allowance introduced in January 2026. That means tax relief on a large chunk of the cost in the year you buy it, rather than having it spread over many years. Allowances that exist today tend to be safer bets than ones that might appear tomorrow. 

Before the Budget: if you’ve been weighing up new equipment, vehicles or machinery, speak to your accountant about how the timing fits with your year-end. 

4. Capital Gains Tax: don’t sell blind

Capital Gains Tax is attracting the most chatter because it’s an obvious target for a Chancellor who needs revenue without touching the big three of Income Tax, National Insurance and VAT. 

None of that means a change is coming. But if you’re planning to sell an asset, or a share of your business, a conversation now costs very little, while being caught out could cost far more. 

Before the Budget: speak to your accountant this month about your options and avoid making rushed decisions on the back of a rumour. 

5. Making Tax Digital: this one’s certain

Unlike most of the above, this isn’t speculation. From April 2027, sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £30,000 must keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC. 

That’s under six months away, and shoeboxes of receipts won’t survive contact with the new rules. 

Before the Budget: start moving invoices and receipts onto digital software now, while you have time to learn it properly. 

Join us the morning after: Thursday 29th October 2026

Preparation gets you halfway, and the other half is understanding what was announced. 

The Autumn Budget will be delivered on Wednesday 28th October. The following morning, Burgess Hodgson is hosting a post-Budget breakfast event at Eastwell Manor, where we’ll break down what the Autumn Budget 2026 means for businesses, including the key changes affecting profits, cash flow and tax planning. In-person places are extremely limited, so we’d recommend booking early. 

If you can’t make it in person, we’ll also be streaming the event live. Whether you’d like to join us in person or watch from your desk, you can use the form below to book your place or receive a link to the live stream. 

Frequently asked questions

When is the Autumn Budget 2026? 
It’s on Wednesday 28th October 2026, which leaves a short window to review your position before the announcements. The following morning, Burgess Hodgson is hosting a post-Budget breakfast event at Eastwell Manor, where we’ll break down the key changes affecting profits, cash flow and tax planning. In-person places are extremely limited, so we’d recommend booking early. 

What should businesses do before the Autumn Budget 2026? 
Focus on what you can control. Know your Corporation Tax band, update your forecasts with real costs, and get your records in order; it’s best to leave the guessing to others. 

How can Burgess Hodgson help? 
Burgess Hodgson is a Kent-based accountancy, tax and business advisory firm supporting businesses across Kent and London, including Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet. We can review your position before the Budget and explain what it means for you afterwards. Join us at Eastwell Manor on the morning of 29th October, or watch the live stream, by signing up here. In-person places are extremely limited, so if they’re all taken, we’ll let you know and send you the webinar link instead.