Welcome to the first newsletter of 2017. There were a number of developments at the end of last year which we have reported on, including a round-up of the announcements made in the new Chancellor’s first – and last – Autumn Statement. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Our feature this edition is Your year end checklist: time to focus  The new Chancellor’s first – and last – spring Budget on 8 March could make tax planning all the more important before the next tax year.

Our other stories include:

• Estate planning with your pension  Your pension could be the last thing you should draw on in retirement – they can be a valuable estate planning tool.
• Buy-to-let: a taxing issue  April will mark the start of another measure designed to increase tax for buy-to-let investors.
• Curtains for the Autumn Statement  The 2016 Autumn Statement was the new Chancellor’s first set piece – but the news was not particularly good.

We hope you find the contents of this newsletter useful and informative and, as always, let us know if you think you may be affected by any of the topics in this edition.