Without good advice and careful planning, HM Revenue and Customs could be the biggest single beneficiary when you die. 

Inheritance Tax (IHT) has an increasingly broad reach. Its impact on a modest estate can be dramatic. On a large estate it can be huge.

This can be a complex area of planning, although there are certain actions that are worthy of discussion as part of a financial planning process:

• Has your Will been written and planned correctly to save the maximum amount of tax* 
• Consider the transfer of assets through prudent use of lifetime gifts 
• Create a tax-efficient fund so that your beneficiaries can pay any taxes due without dipping into their inheritance. Under current IHT legislation, pensions can play a considerable role here. 
• The benefits of using trusts**
• Tax-efficient investment
• Planning to ensure you have long-term confidence in meeting your own financial needs, whilst still applying a IHT mitigation strategy.

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount initially invested.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances. 

*Will writing involves referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by us. Wills are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

** Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority