Inheritance Tax Planning
We help individuals and families in Cardiff protect their wealth from Inheritance Tax. With straightforward planning and early advice, we'll show you practical ways to reduce your liability and keep more for the people you care about.
What we cover
Inheritance Tax planning is about more than one strategy. We look at your full picture and recommend the right combination of methods to protect your estate.
Lifetime gifting strategies
Planning how and when to give assets away during your lifetime to reduce your taxable estate.
Trusts and estate planning
Setting up trusts to protect assets, control how they're passed on, and potentially reduce IHT exposure.
Business and Agricultural Property Relief
Making the most of available reliefs if your estate includes business assets or farmland.
Pension and life insurance planning
Structuring pensions and policies in trust so they fall outside your estate for IHT purposes.
How Inheritance Tax planning works
Inheritance Tax is charged at 40% on the value of your estate above £325,000. If your home, savings, investments and other assets add up to more than that threshold, your beneficiaries could face a significant bill. With property prices in Cardiff and South Wales continuing to rise, more families are finding themselves caught out. The good news is that with the right planning, much of that liability can be reduced or avoided altogether.
Early planning is the difference between paying 40% and paying nothing at all.
We start with a straightforward consultation to understand your circumstances: what you own, who you want to benefit, and what your priorities are. From there, we'll identify your potential IHT exposure and recommend strategies that suit your situation. That might include lifetime gifting, setting up trusts, making use of Business Property Relief, or arranging life insurance in trust. Every recommendation is tailored to you, and we'll explain each option in plain English so you can make informed decisions.
More information
Many people worry that planning ahead means giving up control of their assets or making irrevocable decisions. In reality, most strategies are flexible and can be adjusted as your circumstances change. Marriage, divorce, the birth of grandchildren or the sale of a business can all trigger a need to revisit your plan, and we're here to support you through those changes. We also help with the administrative side: preparing IHT returns, working with solicitors on Deeds of Variation, and keeping your plan compliant with evolving tax rules.
Common strategies we recommend
Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs): Gifts made more than seven years before death fall outside your estate. We help you plan a gifting schedule that balances IHT savings with your own financial security.
Trusts: Placing assets into trust can protect them from IHT, give you control over how they're distributed, and provide for vulnerable beneficiaries. We work with solicitors to set these up correctly.
Business and Agricultural Property Relief: If you own a business or farmland, you may be entitled to up to 100% relief. We'll assess your eligibility and structure your affairs to maximise the benefit.
Pensions and life insurance: Pensions are usually IHT-exempt, and life insurance written in trust can provide a lump sum to cover any remaining liability without adding to your estate.
A well-structured plan means your family inherit your wealth, not your tax bill.
Why plan with us
We're a Chartered Certified Accountancy firm based in Cardiff, and we've been advising South Wales families on tax planning for nearly ten years. Inheritance Tax can feel like a distant concern, but the earlier you start, the more options you have. We'll sit down with you, go through everything clearly, and build a plan that protects what you've worked for. If your circumstances change or the rules shift, we'll review and update your plan accordingly. And because we're local, we understand the Cardiff property market and the specific issues facing families in this area.
Whether you're recently retired, running a family business, or simply want peace of mind that your estate is in good order, we're here to help. No jargon, no pressure, just straightforward advice that puts you in control.
Worth considering
Tax Rebates & Refund Claims
We identify overpaid tax and submit accurate HMRC rebate and refund claims for sole traders and small businesses, then chase progress until payment lands.
Tax Rebates & Refund Claims→HMRC Investigation Support
Support for HMRC enquiries and investigations, from the first letter to closure. We review your records, manage HMRC correspondence and help resolve tax and penalties.
HMRC Investigation Support→Non-Resident Tax Returns
Preparation and filing of UK non-resident Self Assessment returns, including UK property income, relief claims and HMRC follow-up, so you stay compliant.
Non-Resident Tax Returns→Capital Gains Tax Advice
Practical Capital Gains Tax advice for business owners and sole traders. We calculate gains, check reliefs and handle HMRC reporting and deadlines across South Wales.
Capital Gains Tax Advice→Personal Tax Planning
Personal tax planning for Cardiff business owners and sole traders. Forecast your tax bill, use key allowances, and plan payments and profit withdrawals.
Personal Tax Planning→Self Assessment Tax Returns
We prepare and file your HMRC Self Assessment tax return, check expenses and reliefs, and give a clear summary of tax due and key payment dates.
Self Assessment Tax Returns→Before you book
Here are the questions we're most often asked about Inheritance Tax planning in Cardiff.
How much does Inheritance Tax planning cost?
When should I start planning?
Will I lose control of my assets?
Do I need a will before I start IHT planning?
What happens if the tax rules change?
Can you help if I own a business or farmland?
Do you visit clients at home?
Let's talk about your estate
Book a free consultation and we'll explain your options in plain English, with no pressure and no obligation.
Book a free consultation