As the Budget looms at the end of November everyone seems to be worried about tax increases that will cost them dear. Hundreds of millions of pounds are being invested in pensions to take advantage of tax relief and similar sums are being taken out of pensions to use the tax-free allowance, which they fear is going to be withdrawn.

Meanwhile there are lots of easier and less dramatic ways to pay less tax without taking big risks.

Make sure you use your personal tax allowance and if you do not earn enough your spouse or civil partner can benefit. It takes minutes to apply online for the marriage allowance that can give a couple more than £150 a year or £1,000 if backdated by four years.

Low earners can also keep more of their savings' interest than the rest of us. It is possible to earn more than £17,000 in bank or building society interest and pay no tax. Couples should organise their savings so they pay the least tax. Individual Savings Accounts are available to all of us and are free of income and capital gains tax on cash or stock market accounts.

Higher earners may also able to keep their entitlement to child benefit or free child care by paying more into their pensions.

Noone should pay more tax than they need to. Now is the time to claim your full allowances.

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