Murray Beith Murray LLP is a leading Scottish private client law firm.
For 175 years we have specialised in meeting the legal, financial and administrative needs of individuals and families, family trusts, charities and private companies.
In the recent Autumn Budget 2024, it was announced by the Government that measures will be put into place to reform the Inheritance Tax treatment of pensions. From 6 April 2027, unused pension funds will be included within the value of a person’s estate. These changes will affect both UK registered pension schemes and Qualifying Non-UK Pension Schemes.
After promising not to raise income tax levels, there is ongoing speculation about what taxes the new Labour government might target to meet its spending commitments.
It has recently been reported through a release from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on 23 April 2024 that UK taxpayers paid £7.5 billion in Inheritance Tax (IHT) from April 2023 to March 2024, being an increase of £0.4 billion from the same period last year.
When you carry out succession planning, one of the key elements is to consider whether to gift part of your wealth now or wait until your death. If you decide to gift assets whilst you are alive, certain rules apply for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. Key to understanding whether the gift you make will be exempt from IHT is to understand the rules surrounding “potentially exempt transfers” and “gifts with reservation”.
“Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.” Over a century later, Ambrose Bierce’s words still ring true today if you have not taken steps during lifetime to plan for what happens to your estate on death. Without proper estate and tax planning, your loved ones may find themselves embroiled in lengthy and costly litigation, both in monetary terms and family relationships. It is, therefore, essential that you take professional advice to ensure the preservation of your assets, family harmony, and the ability to exert control over the ultimate destination of your estate.
