Tax Planning

Independent financial advice that works for you.

Transparent fees. Whole-of-market planning.
Team-based across Scotland.

Estate protection made simple.

Protecting your estate is ultimately about securing more of your wealth for your loved ones and planning for what will happen after your death.

You don't have to be wealthy for your estate to be liable for taxation - and it isn't something that is paid only on death, it may also be paid on gifts made during someone's lifetime.

However, with the correct advice, there are steps you can take to protect your assets and make things easier for your family.

Inheritance Tax rules

Your estate will be liable for Inheritance Tax if it is valued over the current threshold of £325,000 when you die.

This is the nil band rate and you will pay no tax on your estate up to this figure. Everything above that £325,000 figure is taxed at 40%.

However, our advisers can guide you through ways to reduce your liability, by making gifts or giving to charity, for example. New rules could also give you an additional flexibility if your house passes to your children, grandchildren or great grandchildren.

Legal Expertise

Our colleagues at Aberdein Considine LLP, can provide you with the expertise required to assist with setting up the right kind of trusts for your requirements. Advice is always recommended with the various rules and options available with Trusts, in the gifting or loaning of assets to a beneficiary.

For our clients, the succession of their wealth they have built up over their lives is a priority. Mitigating, as far as possible, the level of Inheritance Tax (IHT) payable on their legacy or passing funds to beneficiaries throughout their lifetime forms a key part of their financial plan.

From 6 April 2027, the UK government will include most unused pension funds and death benefits in the value of an estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

That means where unused pensions could be used as part of a tax-efficient wealth-transfer strategy may now expose more estates to IHT.

Estates that previously sat below the threshold could now face an Inheritance Tax bill and more complexity in settling it.

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What’s changing?

Pensions added to estate value: Defined contribution pensions and most death benefits will be included in IHT calculations from 6 April 2027.

Exceptions maintained: Death-in-service benefits paid from registered pension schemes remain exempt

New responsibilities: Personal representatives (executors) will now be responsible for reporting and paying any IHT due—and failure to liaise or settle within six months could trigger costly penalties

Carry-forward relief preserved: Transfers to surviving spouses, civil partners, or registered charities remain exempt

What this means for individuals and families:

Estates close to thresholds may now cross into IHT liability territory, even if pensions were previously excluded.

Executors face new administrative tasks: locating pension schemes, valuing them, and facilitating IHT within tight deadlines.

Effective pre-death planning including leveraging exemptions and preserving liquidity, has never been more critical.

Secure your financial legacy

Every investor is unique. Your ideal investment strategy depends on:

Comprehensive estate reviews

We assess how upcoming IHT changes may affect your pension arrangements and overall estate value.

Strategic wealth structuring

Combining pension drawdowns, lifetime gifts, and preserving exemptions to mitigate IHT exposure.

Executor
support

Guidance to streamline pension validation and IHT settlement.

Estate planning is a complex area of financial planning, and one where taking professional advice is of great importance. Ensuring that any planning for family wealth is done in a comprehensive manner and that you have accounted for and have plans to mitigate any Inheritance Tax liability payable can be a confusing and frustrating road.

Our experienced Financial Planners will work with you to recommend the most suitable course of action to meet your objectives.

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Our people

We have a great team of qualified professionals available to support you with your plans. We are always keen to hear from anyone who might be interested in joining our team. Find out more here.

Meet the Team

Take Control of Your Retirement Today

Don't leave your financial future to chance. Our expert team will ensure your pension provisions are working as hard as possible to deliver the retirement you've planned.

Contact our Financial Planning team today for personalized pension advice tailored to your goals.