Most of the tax measures for 2013 are already in place, the benefits of some are yet to be realised and may be of great importance.
We are likely to be reminded of these and hopefully there may be an extension or acceleration of some of the benefits.
The prevailing message has been that the UK is open for business, with the Coalition aiming to create the most competitive tax regime in the G20 through various measures.
These include ongoing reductions in the headline corporation tax rate from 28% to 21% starting in April 2014, an overhaul of the Controlled Foreign Companies regime and improved incentives for research and development and intellectual property.
An announcement on the convergence of the headline corporation tax rate with the small companies' rate of 20% would continue this theme.
To be competitive on corporation tax and protect manufacturing industries, we may also see further incentives through capital allowances, similar to the £250,000 Annual Investment Allowance that was announced in the Autumn Statement.
Elsewhere we will see movement from one pocket to another, with winners and losers. The fine balancing act for the Chancellor is to incentivise entrepreneurs and small businesses that will bolster the economy, and help those that need it most, in particular families and individuals squeezed by the rising costs of living.
This will, of course, all have consequences and could well define the battleground on which the next General Election will be fought.
At the same time, George Osborne will also need to be careful that the outcry from those who will be losers does not result in any embarrassing headlines similar to the now infamous "pasty tax".
We are likely to see the easy targets like alcohol and tobacco falling into the loser category, with a large number of pubs continuing to go out of business.
An increased focus on targeted anti-avoidance measures is a safe bet and it would not come as a surprise if there were further restrictions on tax relief for pensions.
Income tax will likely remain stable but we may see an increase in personal allowances to the £10,000 target level.
If there is to be any rabbit from the hat measure, he may announce rises to £11,000 and beyond by the end of the current government's lifespan.
There has been a lot of discussion over an increase in National Insurance Contribution costs for the self-employed, given the movement to a flat-rate pension in 2017.
However, it may be seen as a stealth tax on those smaller businesses earmarked to contribute growth to the economy.
In terms of pre-published measures, there is a drive to get UK companies to produce and exploit high-end intellectual property.
From April 1, the new Patent Box rules will allow companies to apply a 10% corporation tax rate to a proportion of profits attributable to patents and certain other qualifying intellectual property.
In the first year, this proportion will be 60% and will increase annually to 100% from April 2017. The Chancellor may take the opportunity to accelerate the benefits of the regime.
Surveys of businesses suggest that industry generally wants the Government to get on with infrastructure projects and to stimulate the housing market.
Relaxation on capital gains on second properties could help circulate available housing, but with HMRC focusing on undeclared tax on second property sales this could be seen as a somewhat inconsistent message.
Assistance or incentives, possibly through business rates, would also be welcomed by the retail sector, which has seen some recent high-profile casualties.
Online retail businesses and multinational companies have hit the headlines for using their location of services to manage their corporate tax liabilities.
There may be more to come from the Chancellor on how he can ensure that the UK is picking up its fair share of corporate tax.
However, despite his recent opposition to a European Union cap on banker bonuses, he will need the cooperation of other jurisdictions to do so.
John McAuslin is director of tax at the accountants and business advisers Johnston Carmichael.
