Financial Services & Tax

Articles

Digital pitfalls

Ownership of digital assets is something few of us can escape, but even fewer really understand what they entitle us and our beneficiaries to, says James Ward

Transferable nil-rate bands

We would all do well to fully understand the changes that have already been made to transferable nil-rate bands, instead of speculating about potential changes to inheritance tax, advises Scott Gallacher

Commercial property punts

Commercial property is something of a goldmine at the moment, but investments must diversify your portfolio for a better chance of strong returns, advises Colin Lawson

Investing is simple, but not easy

Ignore quick fixes and stick to your long-term goals if you want to invest successfully, says Steven Hennessey

North of the border

Kate Davies predicts that whether they do or don't go, the referendum will cost the Scots a bonnie penny in tax all the same   It's over 300 miles from London to the England/Scotland border – that's three times as far away as France where, perhaps coincidently, three times as many of my colleagues have holidayed this summer. Yet it is the independence vote north of the border that Londoners and the rest of the UK will be turning their attention to later this month, rather than to the senate elections across the Channel.   But if the Scots do vote for independence on 18 September, will future generations view referendums and elections taking place in Scotland akin to those in France and elsewhere? Personally, I doubt it very much and I believe the two countries will still remain very closely connected, although there are many reported changes that we can expect if the 'yes' vote wins including to the Union Jack.

Parental gifts and reservation of benefit

Giving property away, particularly the family home, so that it is out of your estate for IHT purposes while still living in it or otherwise enjoying a benefit from it has become increasingly difficult in recent years, explain William Hadley and Fiona Graham

HMRC revises taxation of UK resident non-domiciliary funding

HMRC's 'withdrawal of concessional treatment' is both completely out of the blue, and has also left UK non-doms with many unanswered questions, says Sarah Cormack

Parental guidance

When buying property for children, clients must weigh up the IHT benefits of giving funds away and reducing the size of their estate against their desire to protect assets from claims, says Caroline Cook