It is often said that as a parent you should provide the very best education you can afford, as a child’s future success can be heavily impacted by the quality of education that they receive. Many families spend years saving to afford a private education for their children, making many sacrifices along the way. *

However, with the change in Government, the landscape of private school fees has dramatically shifted.

On 29 July, in her first speech as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves outlined Labour’s plans to ‘rebuild Britain’, including their intention to remove the VAT exempt status of private school fees. From 1 January 2025, private school fees are now subject to 20% VAT, which could have far-reaching implications for families already stretching their budgets to cover these costs.

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Private day schooling currently costs an average of £15,324 per year, whilst boarding schools cost around £39,006, with quite a wide range up to £55,000 per annum. Add in annual increases of about 5% on average can quickly make this unaffordable for many families. 

Based on an average annual cost of £15,000, the introduction of VAT on private school fees will increase costs by an average around £3,000 a year. This poses a significant financial challenge, particularly for middle-income families who, as noted often make considerable sacrifices to put their children through private education. Contrary to popular belief, not all parents of children attending private schools are very wealthy; in fact, many are cutting back on holidays, remortgaging their homes and accepting help from grandparents to afford their children’s education. **

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), around 6-7% of all students in the UK attend private schools, and since 2010 the gap in funding between independent vs state schools has more than doubled in favour of the private sector. Labour argues that their policy will help fund 6,500 new teachers in the state sector, aiming to improve the struggling state system. However, if families are unable to meet the increased costs of private education, there is a risk that more children may enter the state system. Each additional pupil costs taxpayers an average of £8,000 annually, which could strain the Treasury’s ability to fund improved state education outcomes.  

Advanced Payment Plans – Effectively Already Ended

In response to these changes, some private schools offered advanced payment plans, providing discounts for paying upfront. However, the Government has introduced anti-forestalling provisions, meaning any advance payments made on or after 29 July 2024 for fees relating to a school term after 1 January 2025, will still be subject to 20% VAT.

How some schools are preparing

Some schools took measures in response to the announcement. For example, to keep education accessible for as many families as possible, the Grammar School at Leeds revealed their plans to use internal reserves to offset the impact of VAT for the upcoming academic year, but this can only smooth the impact of any cost increases. Other schools worked hard to mitigate costs, adjust their fee structures and communicate with parents as soon as possible. 

How you can start planning ahead

Considering the potential rise in costs, families should prepare ahead and develop robust financial strategies. Here are some to consider: 

• Start saving early – Families can leverage on compound interest by starting to save as early as possible.
• Consider contributions from Grandparents – In order to make tax-efficient contributions to school fees and lower the possibility of inheritance tax on their estate, grandparents can utilise their annual gifting allowance, which is currently £3,000 each. Gifts out of excess income may also be exempt, or they could establish trusts to pay fees. Trusts can be complex though, and not all families want to do this.
• Financial scholarships – Many private schools offer bursaries and scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence, artistic or sporting ability for example. Start researching and applying early to increase chances of securing one. With costs under greater scrutiny, these may come under pressure.
• Plan ahead for annual increases – Private school fees often rise by more than inflation and have averaged around 5% each year; when you combine this with 20% VAT on top, this is a significant increase so planning ahead for future increases is vital.
• Consider moving into the State Sector – If the costs are the straw that for you will break the camel’s back then you may wish to look at moving your children into the state sector now to have a better chance of a place at your chosen school.
• Please plan carefully, make sure that you can still retire at the time and in the manner you wish too; funding school fees may be a step too far.

How we can help

As private school fees rise, it’s more important than ever to actively engage in proactive financial planning. Seeking financial advice can help families develop comprehensive strategies, explore tax-efficient options, and create contingency plans while properly exploring how your children’s education fits within your own financial plan. 

If you would like to learn more about how we may be able to help you plan for your child's future, why not get in touch and speak to one of our advisers for a free initial consultation. 

Sources: * Inews.co.uk; **Telegraph

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This article is intended for general information only, it does not constitute individual advice and should not be used to inform financial decisions. 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate tax or trust advice. 

What does Rachel Reeves’ first budget have in store for your finances, and what action should you take now to protect against the possible changes?

When Keir Starmer stood in the garden of Downing Street on 27 August, he spoke of ‘Fixing the Foundations’ of the country and of a ‘£22 billion black hole in public finances’.  This has led commentators to conclude that if tax rises weren’t planned in Rachel Reeves’ first budget before, they certainly will be now.

When is the Autumn Budget?

The Autumn Budget will take place on 30th October 2024.

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What is likely to be in the Autumn Budget?

When Labour ran for election, they ruled out raising taxes on ‘working people’ and specifically pledged not to increase Income Tax, National Insurance, VAT or Corporation Tax.  This potentially limits the taxes they can look at (though we would expect Income Tax thresholds to remain frozen until 2028 as announced by the previous government) and we have summarised our views on these various taxes below:

Pensions

Though this would technically be a change to income tax, one possibility for the Government would be to reduce tax relief on pension contributions for high earners.  We already have the pensions’ ‘annual allowance’; which limits pension contributions for very high earners, but there is currently the opportunity for those paying higher rates of income tax, but with overall income below the threshold required to have a tapered ‘annual allowance’, to benefit from significant tax relief and the Government could look to limit this.

Another potential change to pensions is reviewing their beneficial tax treatment upon death, where they fall outside the individual’s estate for inheritance tax purposes and can be passed to future generations at attractive rates of tax.  Though taking action in the anticipation of potential future legislation changes would be inadvisable, if changes to pension death benefits are announced in the budget, financial plans will need to be reassessed.

Finally, the 25% tax free lump sum available from pensions has been talked about as an ‘at risk’ benefit for years, but it would certainly be viewed as unfair if this was targeted now, given that people have been saving towards retirement expecting to benefit from this.  Additionally, changes to the ‘Lump Sum Allowance’ have only just come into force in the current tax year and the Government has already said it will not be reintroducing the Pensions’ Lifetime Allowance, so they may be reluctant to tamper with this area further.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

With capital gains above the £3,000 annual exemption taxed at just 10% for basic rate tax payers and 20% for higher rate tax payers (higher rates apply for second property sales), there are rumours that the Government will review CGT rates. 

However, HMRC’s own projections indicate equalising capital gains tax and income tax rates could actually reduce the Government’s overall tax take, given this would discourage individuals from selling assets (and crystallising gains) so they may instead decide to retain them.

Additionally, it should be noted that cost prices for capital gains tax purposes are currently rebased on death (meaning gains essentially die with the individual) and if this was changed, financial plans would need to be revisited.

Inheritance Tax (IHT)

With the UK inheritance tax rate currently 40%, it is somewhat surprising that the tax only raises c. £7bn p.a. (of a total tax take of c. £1trillion in 23/24).  The reasons for this are the various reliefs available, including:

The ability to gift unlimited amounts to individuals with, broadly speaking, no tax consequences if the donor lives seven years following the gift).

The ability for couples to pass up to £1m between them tax free to direct descendants upon death.  

The Government could look to limit some of these reliefs and with £1 trillion of wealth expected to change hands in the UK in the 2020s alone, according to the Financial Times, the Government could see this as an area to focus on.

How will the Autumn Budget affect me?

We of course do not know what changes will be announced in the Autumn Budget on 30th October and, crucially, from when they take effect. 

So, what can you do to protect your wealth? 

This means there may or may not be time to take action following the budget, and while we would discourage taking action on the basis of rumours, there are actions that can be taken before the budget to take advantage of reliefs that are available now but could be at risk post 30 October.  

To speak to an Independent Financial Adviser about how the Autumn Budget might affect you and any actions you could consider ahead of the budget, please contact us for a free initial consultation.  

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The details in this article are for information only and do not constitute individual advice.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate estate planning, tax or trust advice.

The information contained within this article is based on our understanding of legislation, whether proposed or in force, and market practice at the time of writing. Levels, bases and reliefs from taxation may be subject to change.

The value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028 unless the plan has a protected pension age). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available.  Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits.

A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has revealed some shocking figures on the number of estates paying Inheritance tax (IHT) on gifts that don’t comply with the seven-year-rule.  

The figures revealed the number of estates paying IHT on gifts more than doubled from 590 in 2011-12, to 1,300 in 2020-21. Equally, the amount HMRC collected on gifts also more than doubled, from £101m in 2011-12 to £256m in 2020-21, demonstrating yet another stealth tax to add to the rapidly growing list of ways the Government covertly increases their tax coffers. And as more and more people are now gifting money to their children to get on the property ladder, the problem is only getting bigger!

The seven-year-rule

The seven-year rule is a useful relief for families, allowing large gifts, such as money for house deposits and university fees, to be made tax-free. HMRC will investigate any gifts where it suspects that tax has been underpaid or avoided.

Under the rule, certain gifts are tax-free if the donor lives for at least seven years after making them. If the donor dies before then, the gift is included in their estate and may be taxed, depending on the estate’s value.

However, gifts made in the three years before death can be taxed at 40% and those given between three and seven years before death are taxed on a sliding scale, starting at 32% and falling to 8%. This means that gifts must be given more than seven years before death to be tax-free.

What is IHT?

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax levied by the Government on the estate of a deceased person in the UK. This includes all of their assets including property, personal belongings, and investments.  

However, this levy only applies to the total value of the estate that exceeds the IHT threshold or ‘nil-rate band’. As of the 2024/25 tax year, the threshold is set at £325,000. Anything above £325,000 could be subject to up to 40% inheritance tax and anything below this threshold is tax-free. 

In addition to this is something called the residence nil-rate band (RNRB). Anyone passing a family home to a direct descendant gets an additional £175,000 tax free allowance, provided their estate is worth £2 million or less. This allowance decreases by £1 for every £2 that the estate exceeds the £2 million mark.

For more information on IHT, check out our complete IHT guide.  

If you’re interested in how to manage your inheritance tax to ensure the best possible wealth outcomes for you or your family, we can help. Give us a call on 0333 323 9065 or book a free non-committal initial consultation with a member of our team to find out more.

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This article is intended for general information only, it does not constitute individual advice and should not be used to inform financial decisions. 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate estate planning, tax or trust advice. 

Receiving and managing an inheritance at any point in time can be both a financial and emotional challenge. For many, receiving a windfall from their parents, grandparents or other loved ones comes with a mix of grief and financial responsibility. Navigating this change in finances requires careful consideration to ensure the money is used wisely.

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The Emotional Impact of Receiving an Inheritance

Inheriting wealth often follows from the loss of a loved one, which can complicate decision making. Grief can often cloud your judgement, leading you to make impulsive financial decisions. It is advisable to take your time before making any major decisions and it may be worthwhile seeking guidance from professionals.

What To Do With The Windfall

When the time is right, the first step is to evaluate your financial situation. This involves understanding your current debts, savings and long-term goals. Consulting with a financial adviser can help to provide you with clarity and understand how you can utilise your inheritance within your financial plan. 

However, it’s important to consider that while you are in a holding period and managing a substantial sum of money, it might be beneficial to temporarily place these funds in an easy access savings account.  The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects larger sums following certain events such as house sales, redundancy payouts and an inheritance known as the temporary high balances. This protects up £1 million for six months should the worst happen.

In addition, you could place the inheritance money in a National Savings and Investment (NS&I) savings account. This option provides maximum security and competitive interest rates. Since NS&I products are backed by the government, you have full financial protection and do not need to worry about the Financial Services Compensation Scheme limit of £85,000 per person per product.

Potential Financial Options

What you should do first will depend on what form your inheritance takes, for example, cash, assets or property. Below are a couple of examples of what you could do with your inheritance:

Spending: 

Whilst it’s important to secure your financial future, it’s also valuable to enjoy a portion of your inheritance. Whether it’s a dream holiday destination, home renovations or purchasing a new car, these experiences can bring joy, especially during challenging times.

Saving: 

Keeping some of the inheritance in a high interest savings account or as an emergency fund is a relatively safe option. This will ensure you have accessible funds and provide you with financial security in the case of unexpected expenses.

Investing: 

Depending upon your risk tolerance and financial goals, investing a portion of the inheritance can offer long-term growth potential. Diversifying investments across different asset classes such as equities and bonds can help mitigate the risk whilst potentially increasing your wealth over time. Ensuring you are invested in tax-efficient vehicles and making use of your available allowances. For example, Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) can shelter your wealth from income and capital gains tax, and every tax year adults over the age of 18 have an ISA allowance, currently £20,000.

Pensions: 

Increasing your pension fund can be a highly tax efficient option, especially if retirement is on the horizon. Additional contributions can enhance your retirement lifestyle and provide peace of mind in retirement. By making a personal contribution to your pension you can benefit from tax relief (subject to individual circumstances), and this can be advantageous if you are a higher or additional rate taxpayer. Also, pensions are outside of your estate for inheritance tax purposes, so you can protect your inheritance that you receive and pass onto future generations.

Charity: 

Some people also consider donating a portion of their inheritance money to charity. Inheriting wealth has the potential to increase your own inheritance tax liability. To help overcome this, you could gift a portion of your estate to charity, in your will, and you could benefit from a lower inheritance tax rate of 36% (subject to gifting at least 10% of your net estate to charity), which is lower than the current 40% tax rate. 

Balancing Personal Needs and Financial Goals

A key challenge is balancing immediate luxury expenses with long-term financial security. It is important to avoid impulsive spending and to focus on how the inheritance you have received can support your financial objectives. Paying off a mortgage may take priority over luxury spending, as can the costs of educating children or enhancing your retirement fund.

The Importance of Financial Planning

A comprehensive financial plan can help you navigate the complexities of managing an inheritance. This overall plan should include:

Short Term Goals: consideration to paying off high-interest debts, securing an emergency fund for immediate income needs or unexpected expenditures.

Medium Term Goals: investing for the medium term for the next 5 years or more. For example, say you have plans to purchase a new car or even a holiday home in 5 years’ time but do not need this money in the near term, you could consider investing this portion of the wealth. However, it's advisable to discuss this and your attitude to investment risk with a professional.

Long Term Goals: planning for retirement or leaving a legacy for your loved ones. For example, money that is not needed for 10 or more years could be invested in your pensions to bolster your retirement fund and provide you with peace of mind for when this time comes.

Inheriting wealth can be challenging to deal with, particularly when you are also grieving the loss of a loved one. Engaging with a financial adviser can help you to plan and manage your finances that align with your goals. With their guidance, you can develop a strategic financial plan that integrates both your current assets and inheritance. Together, you define your short, medium and long-term objectives, ensuring your wealth is invested in tax efficient vehicles and is allocated appropriately to meet your different goals and time horizons.

If you’d like to learn more and discuss your own personal situation why not get in touch and speak to one of our experts today to see how we can best support you.

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The details in this article are for information only and do not constitute individual advice.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate estate planning, tax or trust advice.

Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you may get back less than you originally invested. 

The information provided in this article is based on our understanding of the current allowances and legislation and is subject to change.

This week, the new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced that Labour would be scrapping the planned cap on Care Fees.

On Monday, Reeves announced a series of spending cuts, which she argued were a result of the £21.9bn Government overspend hidden by the Conservatives when they were in government. These involved scrapping the planned reforms to adult social care in England that were due to come into effect in October 2025, but for which funding had yet to be allocated.

Sir Andrew Dilnot, the man who originally authored the proposals back in 2011, said that this was yet another example of social care “being given too little attention, being ignored, being tossed aside. We’ve failed another generation of families,” he told the BBC. 

Defending her cuts, the Chancellor said: “There are a lot of things this new Labour Government would like to do but unless you can say where the money is going to come from you can't do them."

What this means in real terms

The social care plan would have introduced an £86,000 cap on the amount an older or disabled person would have to pay towards their support at home or in care homes from next October.

Once individuals with significant care needs have spent £86,000 on their care, local authorities would cover any additional costs.
The asset limit for receiving partial council support before reaching this cap would be raised, allowing those with up to £100,000 in assets to qualify, compared to the current limit of £23,250.

The care system is facing increasing demand from an ageing population and because people are living longer with more complex conditions.

David Sturrock, Senior Research Economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said:
“These reforms would have capped the costs people have to pay towards their care over their lifetime, and increased the generosity of means-tests that determine who qualifies for support with care costs from local councils (for those yet to reach the cap). The decision not to go ahead with this expansion of the welfare state will save £1 billion next financial year, and around £4–5 billion a year by the end of the parliament”.

If you’re interested in how to manage your finances to ensure the best possible wealth outcomes in later life for you and your family, we can help. Give us a call on 0333 323 9065 or book a free non-committal initial consultation with a member of our team to find out more.

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This article is intended for general information only, it does not constitute individual advice and should not be used to inform financial decisions.

On the run up to retirement, many over 55s are opting to manage their finances without professional guidance, a decision that carries significant risks. According to research by Canada Life, a staggering 79% of individuals in this age group are navigating their retirement plans independently, without seeking financial advice. This DIY (Do-it-Yourself) approach contributes to nearly 29% of retirees finding their reality falling short of their dreams.

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Common pitfalls in planning for retirement: 

Many retirees are finding themselves unprepared for the financial realities of retirement. 

Factors contributing to this gap between their expectations and reality involve a failure to account for several critical aspects:

1. Health issues: The Canada Life study found that 36% of retirees reported experiencing unexpected health issues disrupted their retirement plans.
2. Inflation: About 21% of respondents did not factor in inflation, leading to a decline in purchasing power over time
3. Unforeseen expenses: Unexpected bills and expenses caught 13% of retirees off guard, indicating a shortfall in financial preparation.
4. Underestimating financial needs: A significant 11% of retirees underestimated the amount of money needed for a comfortable retirement.

This study underscores the critical importance of thorough and pragmatic financial planning before retirement. Tom Evans, Managing Director of Retirement at Canada Life, emphasises that through consulting a qualified financial adviser, retirees can address these factors proactively, ensuring more secure and fulfilling retirement.

Hurdles faced during retirement:

While understanding the pitfalls before retirement is essential, navigating the hurdles during retirement—such as managing your expenditure, income strategy, and adapting to legislative changes—requires ongoing attention.

Expenditure:

During retirement your needs will evolve, influenced by factors like inflation, healthcare costs, and lifestyle changes. The Pension and Lifetime Savings Association’s Retirement Living Standards study offers a helpful guide, showing that a couple aiming for a comfortable retirement might need an annual income of around £59,000, while a moderate lifestyle requires about £43,100 per year. Whilst this provides a good benchmark, your spending and goals are unique. As a result, it is essential to identify your specific expenditure needs and assess if they are sustainable throughout your retirement.

Income:

Strategising how to draw upon your assets to support your retirement is equally important. Ensuring that your assets work hard for you and that your funds are used in a tax-efficient manner is crucial. Retirees may have multiple income sources, across cash, pensions, ISAs, bonds and rental properties. Effective planning not only ensures tax efficiency but also can helps maintain or increase income potential during retirement. Seeking advice on how to take an income from your pensions and other assets is critical, as planning for the next two or three decades leaves little room for mistakes. 

Legislative Changes:

Recent and potential future changes to pension legislation, can profoundly affect retirement planning. Staying informed about these updates is crucial, however navigating these changes within the complex retirement planning landscape can be challenging. In these cases, working with an adviser can be hugely beneficial to provide guidance on how to adjust your plans to mitigate any negative impacts from legislative shifts and take advantage of any new opportunities that arise. 

A recent example of a significant change is the removal of the lifetime allowance. This legislation introduced two new allowances that affect the amount of tax-free lump sums or tax-free death benefits available from a pension. With the new Labour Government expected to release a budget this Autumn, it will be crucial to consider how these changes impact your retirement planning and to strategically respond accordingly.

A successful retirement plan isn't just about reaching a financial goal before you retire—it's about maintaining that security and adapting to changes throughout your retirement years. Regularly reviewing your expenditure, income strategies, and staying informed about legislative changes ensures that your plan remains robust and effective. 

Value of Advice:

Financial advice is of course not free so while many can see the benefits of receiving advice, the cost associated may be a driver behind why people are choosing to DIY (Do It Yourself) their plans. According to a report by the International Longevity Centre - ILC, individuals who receive professional financial advice are, on average over a decade, nearly £48,000 better off in pensions and financial assets than those who do not.  The study showed that the combined benefits of financial advice over a ten-year period are approximately 2,400% greater than the initial cost of the advice. This significant return on initial cost underscores the value of seeking professional guidance.

In summary, retirement involves many challenges, and the importance of robust financial planning cannot be overstated. Opting for professional guidance rather than navigating these waters alone could significantly improve your financial well-being during retirement and equip you with strategy to manage potential pitfalls effectively. Working with an adviser can ensure that as you transition away from work, you can feel confident in your future, providing you with peace of mind for a comfortable and fulfilling retirement.

If you’re thinking about your own future, we’re currently offering anyone with £100,000 or more in savings, pensions or investment a cash flow review worth £500. Why not get in a touch for a free initial consultation to see how we might help.

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This article is intended for general information only, it does not constitute individual advice and should not be used to inform financial decisions.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate cash flow planning, estate planning, tax or trust advice.

The value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you invested.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028 unless the plan has a protected pension age). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available.  Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits.

Are you planning on sending your children to private school? While everybody wants the best for their children, private education doesn’t come cheap, especially with Labour’s widely anticipated intention to remove the VAT exempt status. Therefore, we may expect that even households with higher incomes could struggle with the cost. So, if you’re wondering how to pay for private school education – you’re not alone.

When it comes to school fees planning you might have some questions. For example, can you claim tax relief on private school fees? Do private schools get government funding in the UK? Is a donation to a private school tax deductible? That’s where we can help. Keep reading to find out whether or not you can claim tax relief on private school fees, and how to reduce the costs.

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What is the average cost of private education?

Since the last Independent Schools Council (ISC) census, carried out in 2023, day school fees continued the steady upwards trend - rising by 5.8%. A day school costs on average £15,000 per year per child, depending on the area, while a boarding school is likely to cost over £39,000 per year. In comparison, the average yearly fee for a private day school in 2004 was just over £8,000. However, with the recent change in government, Labour have confirmed its intention to remove the VAT exempt status of private school fees. This could have far-reaching implications, with parents being required to pay VAT on fees, potentially increasing costs by 20%. Although this isn’t expected to take place until September 2025, it’s important to prepare early and evaluate your options.

Average fees per term in 2023 are as follows:

(Source: ISC Census and Annual Report 2023)

Do private schools get government funding in the UK?

Private schools do not get Government funding in the United Kingdom. While they have to be registered with the Government and get inspected on a regular basis, like any other school, they’re funded by school fees and gifts rather than the Government.

Most private schools in the UK have charitable status, allowing them to take advantage of various tax concessions – to be eligible, they must prove that they provide public benefit.

Is a donation to a private school tax deductible?

In short, no. However, there are ways to reduce private school fees while also paying less tax, easing the pressure. We’ve outlined some of them here, so that you can make the best decisions for your family.

Get grandparents involved

Grandparents might be willing to contribute as part of a broader effort towards intergenerational planning, particularly as doing so can reduce their estate’s value for inheritance tax purposes. If they give a gift, and survive for at least seven years after doing so, the gift will be free from inheritance tax. Meanwhile, grandparents can also make the most of their annual gift exemption of £3,000 or make regular gifts out of surplus income.

An alternative for grandparents who want to help out is to set up a Bare Trust. A Bare Trust is created when a gift is made into a savings or investment account, with the intention of creating a trust. In most cases, there are two adult trustees, while the child is the beneficiary. Of course, any gifts made to a Bare Trust will be exempt from inheritance tax if the gift giver survives for seven years, while the grandparents can also still contribute their annual gift exemption or regular gifts out of surplus income.
With a Bare Trust, any income or gains would be payable to the beneficiaries or children in this case, not the grandparents, which is likely to be within the child’s personal tax allowance.

Set up a family business

If you decide to go down this route, the grandparents will need to set up a family business and name the children as shareholders. You can then fund private school fees by paying out dividends to the children, which will be entirely tax free if it is within their tax allowance. If the children don’t have any additional income or earnings, they’ll be able to use their personal tax allowance, which stands at £12,570 per year for 2024/25 tax year.

Assets like property or investments, which generate income, can be allocated to the business by the grandparents. Remember, it needs to be the grandparents who create the business instead of the parents – when parents gift to children, it could incur a tax charge.

Use offshore bonds

Another option for parents or grandparents is to invest a lump sum in an offshore bond, naming themselves as the trustees and the children as the beneficiaries. It’s easy to split the bond into multiple policy segments, each one encashed to pay for private school fees each year or term. 

The policy segments can then be assigned to the children when they reach private school age via a Bare Trust. As a result – providing that the parents or grandparents have invested wisely and reviewed their investment on a regular basis – the tax on the gain would, in theory, be payable by the children. However, as it should be within their personal tax allowances, it ought to be tax free.

Use pension money

Under the current pension rules, at age 55 (57 from 6 April 2028), you’re able to take a quarter of your pension as a tax-free sum. As such, you may decide to use this sum to cover the cost of private school fees. In particular, this can make sense if you’re a higher or additional rate taxpayer, as you won’t have any additional tax to pay. Then, it’s possible to leave the rest of your pension invested so that you’re covered for income in retirement.

Of course, many people continue working past the age of 55, but you can take the lump sum even if you’re still working. By the time you’re 55, your children might be past school age too, but there’s even a way around this if you need to pay the fees while you are younger.

What you could do is increase your mortgage to pay for the school fees, and then, when you get to age 55, you can withdraw the lump sum from your pension, and pay it off. This is not a decision to take lightly however so it’s important to engage with a financial adviser before doing so, as it might not make financial sense.

Pay upfront

Another option for reducing the average cost of private education is to pay the fees upfront in a lump sum. It’s something many private schools will allow you to do, and it can save you money in the long run as private school fees can inflate relatively quickly.

Some schools will offer investment schemes, wherein parents pay a lump sum in advance which is then invested by the school into low-risk investments. Since private schools have charitable status, the returns on the investment will be tax-free. If you were to make the same investments yourself, you’d be in line for smaller returns because they wouldn’t be tax free. In fact, you might have to pay 40-45% tax.

In comparison, by paying private school fees upfront, you won’t have to pay any tax. Plus, not only will you benefit, but your child and their school will too. As you’ve paid upfront, you’ll be in line for a discount from the school, who will then keep what remains from the returns.

Summary

Dealing with tax relief on school fees – and keeping the costs down especially with the looming addition of VAT– can feel like a tricky task, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking to make paying for private school fees a little easier, you can get in touch with The Private Office to arrange a free consultation.

Arrange your free initial consultation

The details in this article are for information only and do not constitute individual advice.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate estate planning, tax or trust advice.

The information contained within this article is based on our understanding of legislation, whether proposed or in force, and market practice at the time of writing. Levels, bases and reliefs from taxation may be subject to change.

The value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you invested.

The recent change of Government in the UK has naturally brought with it a number of speculations about what Labour will look to target when it lays out its fiscal policy for the term ahead. You will have heard about potential changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), or modifying Inheritance Tax (IHT), however there have been significant changes in recent years to many other areas, and one in particular is the dividend allowance. It has shrunk dramatically in recent years, from £5,000 per annum in 2017/18 to £500 per annum in 2024/25. It is important, then, that if you are getting income from dividends, you need to understand your tax implications. 

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What is a dividend?

Dividends are periodic payments made to shareholders by the companies they have invested in. It is a slice of the company’s post-tax profits that is ‘divided up’ among its shareholders. Clearly, the dividend amount is variable and is dependent on strong corporate performance in order for them to pay out to shareholders. 

Is there a tax free Allowance for dividends in the UK?

In the UK, HMRC allows individuals to receive a certain amount of dividend income before they start paying tax, known as the dividend tax free allowance.

This allowance was first introduced on 6 April 2016 to all UK residents, replacing the dividend tax credit at that time.

Although in the UK we can utilise the dividend allowance, recently the amount at which you can earn before paying tax was reduced, meaning more people will have started paying tax on their dividend income. 

What is tax free dividend allowance?

For the 2024/25 tax year, the dividend tax free allowance is £500. This means that you can receive income of up to £500 from shares and some equity-based collective investment funds without paying any tax.

Dividends that arise within ISA and pension wrappers are exempt from dividend tax due to the favourable tax-free growth nature of these investments. 

Understanding tax on dividends

Once the amount of dividend income an individual receives breaches the dividend allowance, the level of tax you pay on this income depends on what level of total income you receive in any given tax year.

The above table shows the level of tax you will pay if you receive more than £500 worth of dividend income in the current tax year. If your total income for the year is less than the Personal Allowance, which sits at £12,570 in the current tax year, you will also not pay tax on your dividend income.

As per the table above, dividend tax rates are less than income tax rates, making dividends a more favourable form of income. Individuals who own their own limited company can take dividends from the profits of their company instead of a salary in order to decrease their tax liability for a given tax year.

Can I transfer tax free allowance to share dividend allowance?

Although it is not possible to transfer your dividend allowance to your spouse, like it is with part of the Personal Allowance, transferring dividends to your spouse is an effective way to mitigate dividend tax if one member of the couple falls into a lower tax bracket than the other. As assets can be passed between spouses free of inheritance tax implications, assigning shares to the lower earner means that any dividend income they receive over the dividend allowance will be taxed in accordance with their relevant, lower rate of dividend tax. For this to be effective, the transfer of the shares/investment should be a genuine and unconditional transfer of ‘beneficial’ ownership, from which the transferor should receive no benefit.

Please keep in mind this is a complex area of taxation and such work should be undertaken with help of your accountant or financial adviser. 

How do I pay dividend tax?

Unlike a salary, dividends are not taxed at source. If you earn under the dividend allowance of £500, you do not need to do anything. If you earn above this, but below £10,000 in the current tax year, you must contact HMRC. HMRC will give you the option of either adjusting your tax code to pay your dividend tax liability or completing a self-assessment tax return. 

If you earn over £10,000 of dividend income in the current tax year, your only option for paying your dividend tax bill is by completing a self-assessment tax return.

 Self-assessment tax returns must be completed for the previous tax year by 31st October if choosing to fill in a paper form or 31st January if you opt of an online form. For example, you must complete your online tax return for the 2023/24 tax year by 31st January 2025. 

How we can help

Whether you are a business owner who would like to efficiently draw an income from your business, or you are receiving income from your investments, we can build an effective, tax efficient income strategy that suits you and your family's needs. We make it a priority to stay on top of legislative changes to taxes applicable and work with a number of client accountants to ensure we have the most up to date tax information available for each client.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you, why not get in touch for free initial review with one of our expert advisers.

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The FCA does not regulate estate or tax planning. 

The information is based on our understanding of legislation, whether proposed or in force, and market practice at the time of writing. Levels, bases and reliefs from taxation may be subject to change.

The new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has been urged to consider an inheritance tax (IHT) raid on pension pots that could raise up to £2 billion a year, following suggestions from The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

The IFS, a leading economic think-tank, has offered a solution to the pressure being put on the Chancellor to meet public spending targets. They suggested that unspent cash in defined contribution funds should no longer be exempt from the ‘death tax’. 

The recommendations from the IFS aligned with recent recommendations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urging the Government to stick to commitments to balance the books. However, they warned that the prospect of the continuing high interest rates in the UK could make the task harder to achieve.

What is IHT? 

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax levied by the Government on the estate of a deceased person in the UK. This includes all of their assets including property, personal belongings, and investments. 

However, this levy only applies to the total value of the estate that exceeds the IHT threshold or ‘nil-rate band’. As of the 2024/25 tax year, the threshold is set at £325,000. Anything above £325,000 could be subject to up to 40% inheritance tax and anything below this threshold is tax-free. 

For more information on IHT, check out our complete IHT guide. 

An Inheritance Tax Raid 

Both Labour and the Conservatives were criticised during the campaign for not being upfront about the tough choices they would need to make to improve the economy. During the election campaign, economists criticised both parties for not being realistic about the tough choices required, either in the form of spending cuts or tax increases. An IHT raid could go a long way to help in this regard, but it comes with many tough considerations. 

For example, there are fears that the tax raid could leave some facing double taxation. Currently, if the pension pot owner dies under the age of 75, money can be withdrawn without being subject to inheritance tax or income tax. If they die after turning 75, withdrawals by the heir are taxed as income. The latter group could face a double tax hit if IHT is also applied. 

If you’re interested in how to manage your IHT to ensure the best possible wealth protection for you or your family, we can help. Give us a call on 0333 323 9065 or book a free non-committal initial consultation with a member of our team to find out more.

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This article is intended for general information only, it does not constitute individual advice and should not be used to inform financial decisions. 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate tax advice.

It’s another record high for inheritance tax (IHT) receipts as HMRC’s figures reveal a staggering £1.4bn raked in just the first two months of the 2024-25 tax year, £200m higher than the same period last year. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has said that inheritance tax receipts show no signs of slowing and has predicted that IHT receipts will continue to rise, forecasting that the tax take will reach a staggering £9.7bn a year by 2028/29. With the newly appointed Labour Government allegedly considering an inheritance tax raid to ‘redistribute’ wealth, this predicted figure could climb even higher. 

The overall HMRC tax receipts for 2023/24 tax year amounted to approximately 7.5bn, an increase from £7.09bn the previous tax year. Meaning if receipts continue the expected trajectory, that is potentially more than £2bn extra in inheritance tax. 

What is IHT? 

Inheritance Tax is a tax levied by the Government on the estate of a deceased person in the UK. This includes all of their assets including property, personal belongings, and investments. 

However, this levy only applies to the total value of the estate that exceeds the IHT threshold or ‘nil-rate band’. As of the 2024/25 tax year, the threshold is set at £325,000 per person. Anything above £325,000 could be subject to up to 40% inheritance tax and anything below this threshold is tax-free. There is an additional allowance known as the residence nil rate band, which allows a further £175,000 per person to be passed down to direct descendants when passing down the main residence. 

Why are IHT receipts continuously on the rise? 

The number of estates across the UK that are being pulled into the IHT net are increasing each year. Total IHT receipts collected by the Government have been steadily on the rise as property prices have risen over the years, made worse given the nil rate band level hasn’t changed since 2009. Added to this the nil rate band threshold has since been frozen at its current level until 2028. This was initially announced by the then Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, in his 2021 Budget. The Budget outlined that the IHT threshold, (among many others) would be frozen for five years until 2026. However, after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement in 2022, it was confirmed that the freeze would be extended for a further two years until April 2028. 

Due to the rising rate of inflation coupled with ever increasing property values across the UK, the freeze essentially means that a greater number of people will cross the inheritance tax threshold each year. Many have been calling this move an example of ‘shadow tax’, as the freeze ultimately means an increasing number of Britons will fall into the tax threshold each year whilst not explicitly increasing tax rates. With the freeze not due to end until April 2028, it’s predicted that the Government will have collected billions in extra inheritance tax. 

The inheritance tax allowance of £325,000 was increased from £312,000 on 6 April 2009 and with the freeze extended to April 2028, that’s a staggering 19 years! 

If you’re interested in how to manage your IHT to ensure the best possible wealth protection for you or your family, we can help. Give us a call on 0333 323 9065 or book a free non-committal initial consultation with a member of our team to find out more.

Arrange your free initial consultation

This article is intended for general information only, it does not constitute individual advice and should not be used to inform financial decisions.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate cash flow planning, estate planning, tax or trust advice.