Financial Planning

This content is for information and inspiration purposes only. It should not be taken as financial or investment advice. To receive personalised, regulated financial advice regarding your affairs please consult us here at WMM (financial planning in Oxford).

Chancellor Rishi Sunak was expected to deliver a new Budget in the Autumn, yet this has now been officially called off. Many pundits were speculating a large tax raid – especially upon higher earners – in an attempt to start balancing the books in light of large coronavirus spending earlier in the year. It’s important to note the significance of this delay. Holding a budget in the autumn allows civil servants, accountants and the wider public time to implement large changes to the UK tax regime before the end of the financial year in April.

As such, a budget in the spring of 2020 could leave many people with insufficient time to make adjustments to their financial plan (to optimise their tax position). In light of this, our financial planning team here at WMM in Oxford wish to stress the importance of taking advantage of the existing rules to put your wealth and finances in the best position. Below, we offer some ideas on how to do that for you to discuss with your financial planner.

Plan your estate carefully

There are many misconceptions about inheritance tax (IHT) – which is understandable, since it’s such a complex area. One myth that’s important to bust straight away is the idea that IHT is only payable when you die. Bear in mind that transfers into a trust can also incur a 20% charge when above the available nil rate band. Moreover, be careful not to assume that shares on alternative investments (AIM shares) are exempt from IHT. Check these areas with your financial adviser.

Regarding gifts, the “7-year-rule” is currently still in place during the 2020-21 year. Some are suggesting that this rule could be axed in the coming months (which is possible). Yet it’s crucial to not simply make a gift now in an attempt to leverage the rule before it possibly changes. Bear in mind that taper relief applies on gifts applies at 20% after three years. Unless the gift exceeds your nil rate band (i.e. £325,000) it is unlikely that you will save any IHT.

Also, be careful with ISAs (individual savings accounts). Unlike pensions, these are not exempt from IHT. Assets outside of the UK can also be subject to IHT!  Finally, make sure your executors are aware of some of the nuanced IHT rules which might catch you both out. For instance, your unused nil rate band is not automatically transferred to your spouse/civil partner. Rather, this must be claimed by your executors using the relevant forms. Also, remember that executors are personally liable to pay IHT. As such, it’s crucial to make sure they have access to the funds they need to do this in the future.

Other thoughts

A number of measures introduced by the UK government earlier in 2020 are set to expire at some point soon. The Stamp Duty holiday, for example, is currently set to conclude in March 2021. Many landlords with Buy To Let properties are thinking about taking advantage of this window, but should remember that CGT has to be paid much earlier now on residential property sales.

Finally, investors with property investments should consider ways to optimise their tax position in the coming months. For instance, it might make sense to transfer ownership of a property to a spouse/civil partner so that rental income is charged at their lower, marginal rate of tax. Bear in mind that property transfers in 2020 can still be done between members of such couples without a tax charge. This is a decision with important implications, however, so seek advice first.

Invitation

Interested in finding out how we can optimise your financial plan? Get in touch today to arrange a free, no-commitment consultation with a member of our team here at WMM.

You can call us on 01869 331469

This content is for information and inspiration purposes only. It should not be taken as financial or investment advice. To receive personalised, regulated financial advice regarding your affairs please consult us here at WMM (financial planning in Oxford).

Since March 2020 many businesses across the UK have struggled with staffing, revenue and customer engagement. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many organisations to completely change strategy – perhaps even moving from “growth mode” to “survival mode”. Given the high stakes involved (e.g. lost jobs, suppliers and closure) it’s crucial for business owners to ensure that their interests enjoy maximum protection in 2020 and going into 2021.

Here at WMM, our Oxford-based financial planning team offers this short guide on business protection in 2020 – hopefully providing some ideas and inspiration about how to take your own business protection to the next level.

Key Man cover

One of the most important types of protection which all business types need to consider is Key Man Protection (or Key Person Protection). In simple terms, this is a policy which pays out a specific lump sum if a designated “key person” in your organisation dies. This could be the owner of the business or other crucial employee such as a senior sales person, chief technical officer or other vital staff member who you cannot afford to lose.

There are two main types of Key Person Protection to consider with your financial planner:

• Life Cover / Critical Illness Cover (CIC). This provides financial assistance should a key person become diagnosed with a certain illness or condition such as cancer, a stroke or heart attack. Cover such as this is often “bolted onto” the second type, below.
• Life insurance. The type of insurance described above – it pays a lump sum if the person covered by the policy dies or is diagnosed as terminally ill.

Share protection

For limited companies with shareholders, the sudden unexpected loss of a key shareholder can cause big issues. Not only can there be emotional trauma after a close friend has suddenly left your presence, there can also be disputes over how to continue the company. If no appropriate shareholder protection is in place, after all, then the shares of the deceased automatically go to their estate. This typically puts their ownership into the hands of family members – who may have little/no experience or interest in taking over their management. In worst case situations, this can even lead to family members engaging in disruptive behaviour over how to take your business forwards. This is not something you want in the best of times – let alone in a pandemic.

Do I need either option for my business?

It would be tempting for a financial adviser to simply recommend that a business owner just takes out both of the above types of protection. Yet it’s important to weigh up each option with an experienced professional. Sole traders, for instance, will not require the second type – since you do not have any shareholders!

Key Person Protection, however, is likely a much more serious consideration for all types of business. One study suggested that 52% of UK businesses would likely collapse within 12 months if they suddenly lost a key person in their organisation. With the increased financial constraints in 2020 brought about by COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown, it is likely that the danger is now even more pronounced.

Finding the right kind of cover, however, is not always easy and the best deals are not always clear – especially since many providers have increased their premiums since March 2020. Here at WMM, our team can assist you in identifying a suitable set of candidate policies which may be most suitable for your business needs.

Conclusion & invitation

Are you a business owner in Oxford looking to increase your protection? Get in touch today to arrange a free, no-commitment consultation with a member of our team here at WMM.

You can call us on 01869 331469