2026 begins with renewed momentum: fresh starts, evolving rules for wealth and estate planning, and a lively political backdrop. After a year of significant change in terms of tax policy and regulatory frameworks, we hope that 2026 brings greater certainty,
More about In Trust – January 2026It is worth a reminder of how we got here: as the rules stood, historically, there was no limit on the value of property which, if it qualified for 100% relief as agricultural or business property, could pass on death
More about Festive cheer for farmers and business owners as Government increases APR and BPR 100% relief limit to £2.5mMake use of available agricultural or business inheritance tax reliefs Currently, qualifying agricultural or business assets can receive up to 100% relief from IHT under agricultural property relief (APR) or business property relief (BPR) as applicable. From 6 April 2026
More about New year, new rules: key tax planning opportunities for the year aheadDespite them feeling like one of the family, under English law, pets are legally classified as chattels i.e. they are deemed items of property. In the eyes of the law, your beloved dog or cat is therefore treated much like
More about Bone of contentionFacing the unthinkable while young No one likes to consider a future where you pass away not having lived a long, full life, or where you have lost your mental capacity, especially when you are young, fit and healthy. However,
More about Safeguard your future: the importance of young people making Wills and Lasting Powers of AttorneyAs the dust begins to settle on last week’s Budget and the initial flurry of headlines subsides, we can breathe a sigh of relief that for now, we know the direction of travel on tax policy. As such, we expect
More about In Trust – December 2025Individual homeowners High value council tax surcharge The new high value council tax surcharge (the surcharge) is less severe than many of us expected from a long feared “mansion tax”, but it will still have a significant impact on those
More about Budget 2025 and residential property: time to assessAmendments made to the International Tax Compliance Regulations 2025 have resulted in a new mandatory registration requirement for trusts that are defined as “financial institutions” (FI) or “trustee-documented trusts” (TDT) for international tax information exchange purposes, with existing affected trusts
More about Trust compliance update: new HMRC mandatory registration rulesThe Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, used her highly anticipated Budget on 26 November 2025 to announce that the £1 million allowance for agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) will be transferable between spouses and civil partners with effect
More about Budget 2025: Chancellor announces transferability of agricultural property relief and business property reliefWhile perhaps not as bad as was feared, the announcements confirmed today, from the “high value council tax surcharge” to income tax rate hikes for property, dividend and savings income, will shape decisions for families, trustees, and investors over the
More about Budget 2025: an end to the speculation