Latest economic, market and investment news
The latest news and analysis on the changing markets and economic environment.
Personal wealth and tax planning insights
Insights
Personal wealth and tax planning insights
Topical tax and financial planning insights from our private clients team, designed to help you grow and protect your wealth.
Sign up to hear more from us
Select your interests and receive our latest insights, event invitations, news and more.
28 Jul 2026
Personal planning priorities for business owners
For most business owners, the company they have built is more than a source of income. It is often their largest asset, their primary retirement plan and the vehicle through which they hope to achieve long-term financial freedom. However, building a successful enterprise demands significant time, focus and commitment, which can mean personal financial planning is pushed down the priority list. Over...
27 Jul 2026
Pros and cons of holding investments in companies
Should investments be held personally or through a company? While a corporate structure can offer tax-planning opportunities and greater control over how wealth is accumulated and distributed, it can also affect access to valuable tax reliefs and add complexity. In this article, we explore the key considerations, potential advantages and common pitfalls to be aware of before making a decision.
The pros and cons of outsourcing your payroll
To outsource certain functions or keep them in-house? A key question business owners are asking as they grow and scale, and payroll is one task that makes sense, particularly from a cost-based perspective.
6 Jul 2026
Business Relief: putting plans into practice
The first two articles in this series set out what the new Business Relief cap means, and the key concepts involved in building a balanced plan to manage the cost to your estate. This piece focuses on putting your plan into practice. It reflects our experience of supporting clients through these changes, sets out what a realistic plan looks like at different business sizes, and covers the practical...
18 Jun 2026
End of pension tax advantages
For years, pensions have been one of the most tax-efficient ways to pass wealth between generations. But from April 2027, that long-standing advantage is set to change.
1 Jun 2026
Pensions are changing: It’s time to act
As we move closer to the new pension rule taking effect, the conversation around pensions and inheritance tax, and how best to plan for these changes, are now in full flow.
27 May 2026
HMRCs temporary VAT reduction 2026
In a bid to support families and businesses this summer, HMRC has announced a temporary reduction in VAT to 5% on children’s meals, entertainment tickets and family attractions.
22 May 2026
Shakira’s €55M tax win and its impact for others
Spain’s National High Court recently ruled in favour of Shakira and ordered the Spanish tax authority (AEAT) to refund her over €55 million relating to a dispute over her 2011 tax residency position.
21 May 2026
Aaron Rai’s PGA Championship win and his tax bill
Aaron Rai’s breakthrough victory at the US PGA Championship has been celebrated across the golfing world. As the first English golfer to lift the trophy since 1919, his win marks a defining moment in his career and comes with a significant financial reward. But like all professional golfers competing internationally, Rai’s prize money also brings complex cross-border tax implications.
20 May 2026
Premier League winners tax bill
Over two decades on from their last Premier League title, north London is celebrating as Arsenal are finally crowned champions following Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth.
12 May 2026
Business Relief changes: family-owned businesses
For many family business owners, succession planning relied on a quiet promise: that the business would not be taxed on death. From April 2026, that promise is capped. The reality, and who pays, is more complex. We unpack what this means and what owners should do now.
11 Feb 2026
Year-end tax planning 2025/26
As we approach the end of the 2025/26 tax year, there are some important areas of consideration, both for regular annual planning (such as ISAs and pensions) and more significant tax changes (for example, to the Business Relief regime for inheritance tax (IHT)).
26 Jan 2026
Making Tax Digital for income tax
From 6 April 2026, specific sole traders and landlords are now required to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) to report their income and expenses to HMRC. Whether an individual is affected will depend on their total annual income from self-employment and property.
25 Nov 2025
UK tax uncertainty in Portugal
As the UK braces for the Autumn Budget, financial uncertainty looms large. With the government facing pressure to raise revenue and balance public spending, there are growing expectations of potential tax increases affecting higher earners, property owners, and business owners. This environment of unpredictability has once again prompted individuals and families to consider alternatives abroad and...
13 Nov 2025
The million (and a bit) pound pension question
With the planned introduction of Inheritance Tax (IHT) on pensions, many people are starting to rethink how much they should be saving into their pension pots. While the Lifetime Allowance (LTA) has now been abolished, its previous limit of £1.073 million may still offer a useful benchmark.
24 Jul 2025
Wealth tax & personal finances
As the UK government looks to address the fiscal gap, the concept of a wealth tax has resurfaced, but what could a wealth tax entail, and what implications would it have for individuals and the broader economy?
18 Jul 2025
What the UK IHT changes mean for US citizens
Caught in the tax trap: US expats in the UK could face steep Inheritance Tax (IHT) penalties.
14 Jul 2025
The temporary repatriation facility
The rules introduced by the Finance Act 2025 fundamentally changed how non-UK domiciled individuals (non-doms) are taxed, mainly for the worse. However, the Temporary Repatriation Facility (TRF) was one of the few changes likely to be positive for many non-doms.
10 Jul 2025
British stars face hefty tax bill after Wimbledon
Both Emma Raducanu and Cam Norrie bowed out of Wimbledon this week following their respective defeats to Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz. However, the disappointment doesn’t end there as they now could both face hefty tax bills following the tournament.
22 May 2025
Rugby stars could face double tax on tour fee
Whether it’s the British and Irish Lions touring Australia this summer, golfers competing across the PGA and DP World Tours or F1 drivers competing in over 20 different countries throughout the 25/26 season, understanding the tax exposure for international athletes is critical.
29 Apr 2025
Revisiting your pension choices
In 2015, most public sector pension schemes, including the NHS Pension Scheme, underwent reforms and, as a result, many members had to transition into new arrangements.
28 Apr 2025
Business Relief changes - impacts on your business
Business relief changes will take effect from 6 April 2026. These significant changes mean a reduction in Business Relief from 100% to 50% for business interests over £2.5 million.
14 Apr 2025
Rory McIlroy's tax bill following Masters win
Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited win at the Masters has captured the hearts of golf fans worldwide, as he donned the iconic Green Jacket at Augusta National Golf Club. Alongside this career milestone, Rory earned $4.2 million in prize money. However, his victory also brings intricate tax considerations that highlight the financial complexities faced by professional golfers.
9 Sept 2025
How life insurance could protect estates from IHT
Following the announcement that from April 2027, pensions will be included in the value of an estate for IHT purposes, many are now looking to protect their estate from a possible double or even triple tax charge.
9 Sept 2025
How will the IHT charge on pensions impact you?
It has now been confirmed that an Inheritance Tax (IHT) charge will be applied to pensions on death from April 2027.
19 Feb 2025
How to plan for IHT pension changes
From April 2027, pension funds will be subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT). While there is still some time before these changes take effect, most individuals will need to give serious consideration to their planning strategies, and potentially take action before April 2027.
4 Feb 2025
Premier League player tax bills could exceed £2.1m
We estimate that over £1 billion will be paid annually, and this figure is expected to increase by more than £23 million as a result of employer NI contribution rates set to take effect from 6 April 2025.
14 Jan 2025
Tax rates to increase on company vehicles
Within the detail of Labour’s first Autumn Budget were several tax increases on company vehicles. These changes will most likely impact the level of tax paid by employees and overall net reward, as well as further increase costs for businesses too.
7 Jan 2025
How to afford the rising cost of care fees
High inflation levels, the impact of increased energy bills and successive National Living Wage (NLW) uplifts (that have exceeded inflation) have hit the care sector particularly hard. In fact, according to research from Laing Buisson, some individuals will be paying up to 20% more for a bed in a nursing or residential home, in 2023/24 than they would have done in 2021/22.
Labour announces further changes for non-dom rules
Labour announced further details on the proposed changes to the non-domicile regime, which were first introduced by the Conservative Government in Spring.
What is the four-year FIG regime?
As part of the Budget announcements, new arrivals to the UK will be eligible for a new Foreign Income and Gains Regime (the “FIG Regime”). This is set to apply from 6 April 2025. For new arrivals to the UK, the regime could be very attractive.
Changes to the taxation of offshore trusts
Alongside the shake-up to the UK’s longstanding non-domicile regime, significant changes are to be made to the taxation of offshore trusts. Interestingly, the current proposal will put many offshore trusts back into the same position they were in before the changes introduced in 2017 and trustees will need to consider the implications for themselves and beneficiaries.
Changes to the UK non-dom tax regime
Currently, an individual's UK tax position is influenced by their domicile status. Under the proposed changes the concept of domicile will be disassociated from an individual’s income and capital gains tax exposure and replaced with a residence-based test.
Can I gift all my net excess income IHT-free?
My approximate net recorded income is £90,000 per tax year and my recorded expenditure is approximately £70,000 per tax year. Am I able to gift the entire £20,000 difference annually, without incurring inheritance tax on any of the £20,000?
IHT planning for LGBTQ+ couples
While personal and family circumstances will differ for each couple, tax rules are the same for both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ couples.
IHT planning for married and civil couples
In most cases, transfers between spouses and civil partners are fully exempt from Inheritance Tax. This exemption applies to both lifetime gifts and assets transferred upon the death of one spouse. However, special care should be taken when only one spouse is long-term UK tax resident, as the spousal exemption may be limited in such cases.
FURBS and EFRBS
Funded Unapproved Retirement Benefit Schemes (FURBS) and Employer-Financed Retirement Benefit Schemes (EFRBS) are discretionary trusts established for the benefit of a company’s employees and their families.
CGT changes that could benefit divorcing couples
Under current tax rules, 6 April is the optimal separation date for divorcing couples.
What is non-domicile status?
Every individual has a domicile and can only have one domicile at any given time. It is where they consider their permanent home to be, and it is distinct from nationality and residency.
ATED – what does it mean for you?
Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED) is an annual tax payable by a ‘non-natural person’ (usually a company) that owns high-value residential properties in the UK. The meaning of ‘high value’ has changed significantly since the introduction of ATED in 2012 from £2m to a much lower value of £500,000.
Our Private client and tax team
