Inheritance Tax Planning & Will Writing
Unfortunately, we are not going to be here forever. It’s a difficult subject to talk about and quite often one that in our experience is forgotten about.
For many individuals who work as an expat accruing assets in different locations around the world is an unavoidable benefit. Whether that be simple bank accounts, pension benefits or even property it’s difficult to understand how these assets are going to be dealt with at that difficult time.
- Normally married couples have an allowance of £650’000 before inheritance tax would be applied however if your spouse has a different nationality this is often not the case.
- Have you “gifted” any monies to your family or friends in the last 7 years? The threshold for non-taxable gifts can be as low as £2’000.00 and is often overlooked.
- Have you helped your children with a deposit for a new home? Have you recently had Grandchildren and have helped with gifts such as prams, cots or even travel costs so that you can see them?
- What happens to your pension when you do pass? Quite often clients believe that their pension simply passes over to their Spouse when they die but more often than not this is not the case. Will your benefits be halved? What happens if a lump sum payment is paid out and subject to 40% taxation?
Whilst paying Inheritance tax is unavoidable, there is a great deal that can be done to help minimise the tax due. By ensuring that you have the correct structures in place, whether that be by utilising Trusts, nominating Beneficiaries and utilising effective wills we can help you ensure that your estate is passed on in the most cost-effective way.
