Local browser storage
- Theme choice can be stored in local storage so dark mode stays consistent.
- Saved scenarios may be stored locally in the browser when you use the scenario tools.
- The site search can load a local search index so search feels fast without needing a server round-trip.
Optional sync features
If you use scenario sync, data may be sent through the configured Netlify function route for that feature. If you never use sync, that pathway is not part of your visit.
Analytics and measurement
- The shared site code records a lightweight local event buffer first, so site operators can test measurement without sending third-party data immediately.
- Third-party forwarding only starts if analytics is explicitly enabled and a provider such as Plausible or GA4 is configured.
- The site should prefer lightweight measurement over intrusive profiling.
- Search Console is used for search performance and indexing visibility rather than behavioural tracking.
Advertising, cookies and consent
This site uses Google AdSense to serve display advertising. Google and its third-party vendors use cookies, device identifiers and similar technologies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this site or other sites. Where ads appear is set out in the advertising policy — the intention is to keep them outside decision-critical calculator areas.
If you are visiting from the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, a consent message is shown the first time you visit. You can choose to Consent, Do not consent, or Manage options to make granular choices. Until consent is given, Google serves only non-personalised ads. You can change your choice at any time by clearing site cookies and reloading the page.
You can review and control how Google uses data to personalise ads in your Google Ads Settings. Further information about how Google uses data when you use partners' sites or apps is available at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites, and Google's privacy policy is at policies.google.com/privacy.
UK Tax Drag does not sell personal data. Aside from the AdSense cookies described above and the Google Analytics 4 setup described under "Analytics and measurement" earlier on this page, the site sets only the cookies needed to remember preferences such as light/dark theme.
Beyond Google's own opt-out tool, you can opt out of personalised advertising from many ad networks via the Your Online Choices (IAB Europe) tool, the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out, or the DAA AdChoices page.
Who controls your data
UK Tax Drag is published by Finsolve Consulting Limited, a company registered in England & Wales. For the purposes of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, Finsolve Consulting Limited is the data controller for any personal data processed via this site, including email correspondence, magic-link sync records and newsletter subscriptions. Google is a separate, joint controller for the advertising cookies it sets when you give consent.
You can contact the data controller at hello@uktaxdrag.co.uk. We aim to respond to data-rights requests within 30 days as required by UK GDPR.
Children
UK Tax Drag is a personal-finance and tax publication intended for adults. The site is not directed at children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 13. The companion site kids.uktaxdrag.co.uk is educational material designed for use in UK schools and homes; it carries no advertising, no tracking cookies beyond essential preferences, and is operated under the same data-controller and contact details set out above.
Data retention
How long each category of data is retained:
- Local browser storage (theme preference, calculator scratch state, saved scenarios) — persists in your browser until you clear it. Nothing is sent to a server unless you explicitly opt in to magic-link sync.
- Magic-link sync (opt-in only) — sign-in tokens expire after 15 minutes. Saved scenario records are kept while the linked email remains active. You can request deletion at any time via hello@uktaxdrag.co.uk; we delete within 30 days.
- Newsletter subscribers — email address kept until you unsubscribe. Unsubscribe is one click from any email. After unsubscribe, the address is hard-deleted within 30 days.
- Google Analytics 4 — user-level event data is retained at GA4's default of 14 months. Aggregated reports are retained indefinitely. IP addresses are anonymised before storage.
- Google AdSense cookies — lifetimes are controlled by Google. The main advertising cookies (NID, IDE) typically expire 6–13 months after last activity. Full list: policies.google.com/technologies/cookies. You can clear them via your browser at any time, or opt out of personalised advertising via Google Ads Settings.
- Server access logs (Netlify edge) — standard request metadata (URL, status code, IP, referrer, user-agent), retained for 30 days for security / abuse prevention, then aggregated or deleted.
- Correspondence sent to hello@uktaxdrag.co.uk or corrections@uktaxdrag.co.uk — kept while it is needed to action the request, then archived for up to 24 months for accountability and audit.
Under UK GDPR you have rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability and objection. To exercise any of these, email hello@uktaxdrag.co.uk. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.
Related standards
See the editorial policy and methodology page for how content quality, review and source handling work across the site.