Alistair Darling announced the biggest tax grab on the wealthy since Labour came to power, but accountants have warned that it is not only the super-rich who will suffer after Wednesday's Budget.

From 2011 millions will be stung by a half a percentage point increase in national insurance (NI). The wealthy and not-so wealthy are therefore being urged to start planning now and make full use of clever ways to escape the tax crackdown.

The Treasury is expected to rake in up to £7 billion a year from its plans to “soak the rich” with a new 50 per cent rate of income tax, a cut in personal allowances and a reduction in the top rate of pension tax relief. The small print also revealed a new 42.5 per cent rate on share dividends for people with income above £150,000 - a blow to those relying on dividends to supplement their earnings.

But as Labour struggles to fill a huge black hole in the government finances, it is also planning an attack on ordinary, middle-income families.

The tax grab on the rich is expected to affect about 750,000 individuals. However, the increase in the standard rate of NI from 11 per cent to 11.5 per cent, announced in the Pre-Budget Report, could hit up to 20 million people, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accountant. The increase in NI means that someone earning £30,000 will be £12.93 a year worse off from 2011. At £50,000 that jumps to £149.93 and at £70,000 it hits £249.93.

But these increases are small fry compared with those for the very rich. There have even been warnings that this week's measures could lead to a 1970s-style exodus of high earners to countries with less harsh tax regimes.

Next April a new 50 per cent super-tax rate will be introduced for those earning £150,000 or more. Personal allowances will also be reduced by £1 for every £2 of income above £100,000, falling to zero for people earning more than £112,950.

These measures alone mean that someone earning £105,000 a year will pay an extra £1,000 in income tax and national insurance from next April, according to the accountant Grant Thornton. Those earning between £112,950 and £150,000 a year will pay an extra £2,590, while the tax bill of someone earning £200,000 will jump by £7,590.

But the real pain will be felt in April 2011. That is when the double sting of the NI increase and the restriction on pension tax relief hits home. From that date, those earning £150,000 will suffer a cut in their tax relief on pension contributions, tapering to the basic rate of 20 per cent for those earning more than £180,000.

The package of measures means that someone earning £150,000 will pay £3,307 more in income tax and NI from 2011. People earning £200,000 will pay an extra £8,557.

Care is needed if you are looking for ways to get around the tax grab. Mr Darling warned that attempts to dodge the tax increases would be scrutinised closely. To ram the point home, Revenue & Customs closed down a number of specific tax schemes last week and said that it will name and shame individuals and companies that have “deliberately understated” more than £25,000 of tax.

Despite this tough approach, there are still plenty of legitimate ways to take the sting out of the tax attack. Here are five of the best.

Increase pension contributions

Mr Darling announced an immediate crackdown on wealthy pension investors who try to ramp up their pension contributions to take advantage of the higher tax relief available now.

From yesterday those earning more than £150,000 who change their normal pattern of regular pension contributions and pay in more than £20,000 may be penalised. For those who make contributions greater than £20,000 a year, the tax relief will effectively be halved to 20 per cent.

However, advisers say that this should not stop high earners from giving their pension a last-minute boost. Laith Khalaf, of Hargreaves Lansdown, the independent financial adviser (IFA), says: “If you earn more than £150,000, you should at least put in the £20,000 for the next two years. From next April, you may even be able to claim 50 per cent tax relief on your pension contributions for 12 months. While the rate of income tax increases to 50 per cent next April, the new rules on lowering tax relief do not come into force until 2011.”

John Lawson, of Standard Life, the insurer, adds: “The limit will be higher for those who are already paying in regular monthly or quarterly amounts above £20,000. For example, someone already paying in £3,000 a month (£36,000 a year) can continue to do so and get 40 per cent tax relief on the full amount. Regular contributions that increase in line with salary or a pre-agreed rate are also exempt.”

Sacrifice salary

Your employer may allow you to give up some of your salary in exchange for payments into a pension or some other benefit, such as childcare vouchers. By accepting a lower salary, you can save income tax, while both you and your employer pay less NI.

Unfortunately, any investors earning £150,000 are unlikely to be able to do this. The Revenue has already indicated that it will negate the benefits of salary sacrifice for anyone earning this much.

However, that does not stop anyone who earns less than £150,000 a year from taking advantage. Salary sacrifice will be a particularly attractive option for those who will be earning between £100,000 and £112,950 from next April. The removal of the personal allowance above £100,000 means that they will have a marginal tax rate of 60 per cent. Reducing a salary to below £100,000 will cut that tax rate to 40 per cent.

Maximise tax-efficient savings

Adrian Lowcock, of Bestinvest, another IFA, says: “For a lot of people, no matter how much they earn, Isas should now be the first port of call.”

From next April all savers will be able to invest a maximum £10,200 of a year in tax-efficient Isas. Of this total allowance, £5,100 can be in cash accounts. Savers aged 50 or over will be able to benefit from the increased limit from October 6.

Apart from an Isa, it makes sense to focus on investments that pay capital gains. Tax on capital gains is paid at only 18 per cent, and everyone has an annual allowance, below which they do not pay any tax. The capital gains tax allowance for this year is £10,100.

Insurance bonds could also prove attractive. Investors are permitted to use 5 per cent a year of their original capital for 20 years without incurring a tax charge.

When you cash in a bond, returns are treated as income, so anyone with earnings of more than £150,000 at that time will still pay 50 per cent, which is not much use. However, if you expect to fall into the 40 per cent or 20 per cent tax band by the time you cash it in, a bond could provide a tax saving.

Make use of your spouse

If your husband, wife or civil partner pays tax at a lower rate than you, it is worth transferring income-producing investments into his or her name. From next April, a higher-rate taxpayer would pay £500 tax a year on gross interest of £1,000 from a savings account. Basic-rate taxpayers would face a bill of only £200.

If it does not make sense to put any more money into your own pension, check whether you can make contributions to your spouse's retirement scheme instead.

Set up a limited company

If you are the owner of a small business, there could be tax advantages to becoming a limited company. You would then pay corporation tax on any profits, rather than income tax. Mike Warburton, of Grant Thornton, explains: “Corporation tax rates are between 21 per cent and 28 per cent, so you could make significant savings.”

Mr Warburton adds that business owners should also consider maximising the amount of dividends they take out of the business before next April. That is when increases in dividend tax take effect.