Taxpayers stampede for advice as budget looms

The online service said that those in need of tax advice with accountants and specialist tax advisers registered a 95% increase in enquiries in February.

January enquiries were already up 70% on the same month last year.

Chris May, founder of Choose Your Accountant, said: “We are getting almost 400 enquiries a month, which is a record for us.

"The vast majority of enquiries are coming from higher earners and small business owners, who are nervous about hitting the 50% tax bracket or other taxes that could impact their earnings in the months ahead.

“The Budget is clearly a worry. People want to make sure they have ready access to an accountant in case the Chancellor introduces another piece of retrospective tax legislation."