The England and Wales High Court (EWHC) has granted an investment bank’s request to sell the contents of 14 safe deposit boxes whose owners cannot be traced. The bank’s predecessors had held the boxes for between 44 and 122 years and had contacted the owners when closing their UK retail operations in 1994. However, some...
A woman who cared for her elderly mother for the last two and a half years of the latter’s life has successfully claimed against the estate for the value of the care she provided. The England and Wales High Court accepted that the testator had agreed to pay her daughter a ‘reasonable price’ for the...
Inheritance tax (IHT) is becoming an increasing concern for many UK families. With the nil-rate band of £325,000 and the residence nil-rate band of £175,000 frozen until 2030, more estates are being caught in the tax net due to rising property values. According to HMRC data, IHT receipts have surged to £8.2 billion from April...
In order for the dwelling house to be a valid residence for PPR relief, from 6 April 2015, there is a statutory condition that must be fulfilled and is assessed every tax year from 2015/16 onwards. This anti-avoidance rule was introduced as part of the NRCGT rules. Any tax year which is ‘non-qualifying’ is treated...
A common source of confusion amongst clients is the difference between mutual wills and mirror wills. Both have distinct legal implications that can significantly impact your clients wishes. Mirror Wills are two almost identical wills typically created by long-term partners or spouses, where each person leaves their estate on the same terms, usually to each...
HMRC’s annual ‘compliance yield’ from wealthy taxpayers more than doubled from GBP2.2 billion in the 2019/20 tax year to GBP5.2 billion in 2023/24, according to a report from the government’s National Audit Office (NAO). The NAO says the large increase suggests that underlying levels of non-compliance among the wealthy population could be greater than previously...
A woman who lived rent-free in a house settled in an offshore trust by her late husband was liable to GBP163,414 income tax under the transfer of assets abroad (TOAA) legislation even though she was not the transferor, the First-tier Tax Tribunal has ruled (Moran v HMRC, 2025 UKFTT 540 TC). It ruled that the ‘motive defence’...
A couple who bought a property for GBP9.75 million, demolished and rebuilt it, then sold it for GBP27.15 million, have won their appeal against a GBP3.3 million capital gains tax charge. Raymond and Diana Eyre successfully claimed they were not developing in the nature of a trade and the house was their principal private residence...
Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning is undergoing significant changes in the UK, making it crucial for individuals to stay informed and proactive. Recent policy shifts and upcoming reforms are set to impact how estates are taxed, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning. Key Changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT): Frozen Thresholds: The IHT nil-rate band remains at...
HMRC is warning landlords against a specific tax avoidance scheme that claims to convert rental income into non-taxable loans. This scheme is under investigation and poses serious financial risks. Promoters suggest landlords can receive their rental income back as a loan without paying tax, but HMRC says this setup does not work and treats it...
Copyright by CareAccountancy. All rights reserved.
Copyright by CareAccountancy. All rights reserved.
