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Inheritance Tax Advisory
At Pearl Lemon Tax, we specialise in solving that problem. Most families we speak with have worked decades to build their assets—property, business holdings, investments. And most of them are completely exposed when it comes to inheritance tax.
The issue isn’t effort. It’s planning. Or rather, the absence of it.
Inheritance Tax in the UK applies at £325,000 for individuals. A two-bedroom semi in outer London can tip that scale. Add a few investments or a business, and you’re looking at 40% of your estate going to HMRC.You didn’t work this hard just to hand over nearly half of your life’s achievements.That’s where we come in.
Our Services: Inheritance Tax Advisory, Built for People Who Actually Have Something to Lose
This isn’t hypothetical. This is detailed tax structuring. We create legally sound, HMRC-compliant setups that move your estate out of risk.
Here’s exactly how we do it:
Full Estate Exposure Audit
We begin with a complete assessment of your inheritance tax risk profile.
- Current estate value vs. IHT threshold
- Unwrapped assets vs. protected vehicles
- Lifetime gifts and their impact on taper relief
- Liabilities and exemptions
Why it matters:
Most advisers miss key thresholds and reliefs, like Business Property Relief (BPR) or Agricultural Property Relief (APR). We don’t. We quantify exposure to the pound. This is where we locate the tax threat and remove it.
Structured Trust Setup
Trusts aren’t generic. We select and implement structures based on your goals:
- Discretionary trusts
- Interest in possession trusts
- Bare trusts
- Life interest trusts
How this helps you:
When used correctly, trusts can reduce significant portions of your estate from the IHT calculation. One client moved a £2.1M property portfolio into trust, protecting £840,000 from tax.
Business Property Relief (BPR) Advisory
Own a business? Shares in an AIM-listed company?
We apply detailed eligibility checks to ensure you qualify for BPR, potentially excluding 100% of those assets from inheritance tax.
We examine:
- Trading vs. investment business rules (CTA 2009 compliance)
- HMRC scrutiny on non-trading assets
- 2-year holding requirement
- Cross-border ownership complications
Lifetime Gift Structuring
Gifting isn’t just about handing over money—it’s complex.
- PETs (Potentially Exempt Transfers)
- CLTs (Chargeable Lifetime Transfers)
- 7-year rule
- Gift with reservation of benefit (GWR)
What we do:
We structure gifts to pass HMRC’s scrutiny and avoid being counted in your estate later. We plan the timing, document transactions, and track survivability.
Nil-Rate Band and Residence Nil-Rate Band Planning
You may be entitled to more than just the basic threshold—if you understand how to use it.
- Residence Nil-Rate Band (£175,000 per individual)
- Tapering thresholds at £2M+ estates
- Transferrable allowance between spouses
We handle the complex calculations and apply them properly, increasing your tax-free estate by up to £350,000.
Life Insurance Structuring
Sometimes, assets can’t be moved, but taxes can still be managed.
We coordinate life insurance policies placed in trust to cover the inheritance tax bill without adding to your estate’s value.
Result:
Heirs receive funds without selling assets, avoiding rushed or underpriced sales.
Property Portfolio Structuring
We advise on revising UK property asset ownership for tax efficiency.
This includes:
- Shifting property holdings into companies
- Trust-based ownership
- Gifting with leasebacks
- Freezing asset growth strategie
One client with £4.6M in buy-to-lets reduced their liability by over £1.3M with a multi-layered approach.
Cross-Border Estate Tax Planning
Own foreign assets or live abroad? It gets complicated. We cover:
- Domicile and deemed domicile rules
- Double taxation agreements
- Asset location rules for foreign holdings
- EU/US estate planning rules
UK residents with US or EU ties? We ensure you’re not exposed to unnecessary foreign tax obligations or HMRC penalties.
Why Choose Us
At Pearl Lemon Tax, we specialise in providing bespoke tax advice for wealthy clients. Our team understands the intricacies of managing substantial wealth and how to handle the complexities of tax law. We combine years of technical skills with a personalised approach, ensuring that every solution we provide is specifically designed to meet your unique needs.
When you work with us, you’re not just another client. We take the time to understand your goals, concerns, and aspirations, developing a strategy that works for you. Our commitment to protecting your wealth means we stay proactive, constantly monitoring changes in tax laws and adjusting our strategies to keep you ahead of the curve.
Schedule a consultation today to start creating a tax plan that works for your unique needs. Let us help you secure your financial future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only if it’s structured correctly and you don’t retain benefits (like living there rent-free). Otherwise, it falls under GWR and stays in your estate.
Taper relief reduces the tax due, not the value of the gift, if the donor survives 3–7 years. Timing and documentation are essential.
Not necessarily. HMRC examines whether the holding company is mainly trading. If it’s not, BPR could be denied.
Your RNRB is reduced £1 for every £2 above the threshold—gone completely by £2.35M if unaddressed.
In the UK, it depends on timing and survivability. For US-linked estates, GST issues may arise.
Yes—unless it’s placed in trust. In trust, it’s excluded from your estate and paid directly to beneficiaries.
Yes, if none of the first spouse’s NRB was used. We ensure correct documentation on the second death with HMRC.
Still Thinking About It? Think About This:
You’ve spent decades building your wealth. How fast can HMRC claim 40%? Less than a year after death, if nothing is planned.
Your family doesn’t need guesswork. They need cash. Clarity. Assets that remain with them. Let’s make that happen.
Book your consultation here. No obligation. Just a straightforward, private conversation that could protect hundreds of thousands for your family.
