The Chancellor’s action on small business owners and anyone who has pension savings means that it’s more important than ever to take advantage of the lifetime gift exemptions. What are they and when can you use them? Partner and Tax expert Christiaan Hansen, discusses these exemptions.

The Autumn Budget has certainly triggered a lot of questions and concerns from our clients. Particularly from farmers whose estates may now be subject to Inheritance Tax when they die, whereas previously there were good tax reliefs to protect their estates. If you are a farmer and are concerned about how this might affect you...

Trusts can be an extremely useful planning tool for inheritance tax purposes, as well as for family and business succession planning. Partner Christiaan Hansen looks at how trusts and inheritance tax interact as well as outlining the issues and benefits. Tax is one benefit, but preservation of the family assets is another potential advantage of...

You hold the main interest in a family-owned trading partnership and are planning to retire, selling your interest to your adult children. But you have been advised that this could lead to an inheritance tax (IHT) charge?  Partner Kenny Adamson advises. Unincorporated traders Business property relief (BPR) is an extremely valuable tax planning tool. BPR...

You want to reduce the potential inheritance tax (IHT) on your estate. An acquaintance has suggested transferring ownership of your home to your children. HMRC rules say that this does not work if you still live in it. Is there a way to legitimately avoid this the rule?  Find out more from Head of Tax...

Mrs Smith’s mother has recently died. During her final years she lived in a care home and sold her property to pay the fees. Mrs Smith believes she has lost the right to claim the residence nil rate band as a result. What is advised? Head of Tax, Christiaan Hansen advises. Residence nil rate band...

A couple have received conflicting advice about reducing their potential inheritance tax (IHT) liability by making gifts. One view is that they need to survive at least three years from when a gift is made to save IHT. The other advice says they must survive seven. Which view is correct?  Kenny Logan from our Edinburgh...

Your father recently died having spent the last two years in care. Last year you sold his home to help pay the nursing home fees. When preparing the inheritance tax forms, are you entitled to claim the residence nil rate band?  Tax Partner Brona MacDougall discusses. The inheritance tax (IHT) residence nil rate band (RNRB)...

Life insurance policies generally pay out a premium in the event of the policyholder’s death. However, recently published figures from HMRC suggest that many of them are falling into an easily-avoided tax trap. The idea behind a life insurance policy is simple – the individual agrees to pay premiums for a fixed period of time....

Inheritance tax (IHT) planning often involves giving away your wealth, but as a business owner business property relief (BPR) can significantly reduce IHT. What can you do to help your estate achieve the maximum relief? Inheritance tax expert Brona MacDougall advises. IHT and business property Where you own a business, or a share of one,...