Inheritance tax and estate planning services
Our advisers can help you navigate the UK’s complicated and changing tax regulations, so that those who benefit from an inheritance will only pay the necessary amount of tax.
Safeguarding your wealth for future generations
Ensuring your wealth reaches the people who matter most requires careful estate planning. Without a clear strategy, a significant portion of your assets could be lost to inheritance tax (IHT), reducing the amount your loved ones inherit.
IHT doesn’t just affect those with high-value estates—frozen tax allowances, rising house prices, and the inclusion of pensions in estates from April 2027 mean that more families than ever will be caught in the IHT net. Find out if this applies to you, with our easy-to-use IHT Calculator.
Taking proactive steps now allows you to manage your estate efficiently, minimise tax burdens, and preserve more of your wealth for future generations.
At Flying Colours, we help you navigate the complexities of IHT with personalised advice that aligns with your long-term financial goals. Our independent inheritance tax advisers simplify tax regulations, making it easier for you to make informed decisions about your estate.
Whether you’re looking to reduce inheritance tax, secure your family’s financial future, or plan for business succession, we develop bespoke strategies to protect your assets and structure your estate in the most effective way.
Using trusts
Trusts can be separate from your estate, so inheritors don’t need to pay Inheritance Tax (IHT) on them. However, they are highly complex and need careful planning.Giving it away
Some forms of gifting are exempt from IHT, and others can be if you survive seven years after making them. Again, this is a complex area that is easy to get wrong.Taking out insurance
You can take out a policy that provides a payout upon your death that may cover the potential IHT bill.Business relief
Certain investments will qualify for this relief, but they are classed as high-risk products by our regulator, so it’s important to take professional advice on this form of investing.Careful pension planning
Currently, most pensions fall outside your estate and are exempt from IHT. However, this needs to be managed alongside your pension planning.Gifting to charity
If you leave 10% or more of your assets to a registered charity, you can potentially reduce IHT payable from 40% to 36%, but this won’t be appropriate for everyone.Are you worried that your loved ones would have to pay Inheritance Tax (IHT) after you die? Our easy-to-use IHT calculator can help you work out if IHT will be payable, and how much.
Why does inheritance tax planning matter?
Inheritance tax could take a large chunk of what you leave behind if you don’t plan ahead. Right now, if your estate is worth more than £325,000, anything above that could be taxed at 40%. While there are extra allowances for passing on a family home, many people still find their loved ones facing avoidable tax bills.
From 6 April 2027, defined contribution pensions will also be subject to inheritance tax, making planning even more important. With the right estate planning, you can reduce how much tax is owed by structuring your assets wisely, using available exemptions, and making tax-efficient investments. Taking action now means more of your wealth goes to the people you care about, just as you intended.
Our inheritance tax and estate planning services
Comprehensive IHT mitigation strategies
Reducing your inheritance tax liability requires a proactive approach. Our advisers employ proven strategies, including trusts, gifting and exemptions, to ensure a tax-efficient wealth transfer.
Tailored estate planning solutions
Your estate is unique, and your planning should reflect that. Our bespoke estate planning service is designed to protect your wealth, balancing your current financial needs with your long-term wealth preservation goals, to ensure financial stability in retirement and beyond.
Tax-efficient investment advice
Investments can play a crucial role in reducing IHT exposure, that’s why we provide guidance on IHT-friendly investments that offer tax advantages while supporting your financial growth, estate planning needs and retirement goals.
Business succession planning
For business owners, structuring your estate efficiently is essential for safeguarding family wealth. Our advisers help you leverage business relief opportunities, ensuring a smooth transition of assets and minimising IHT liabilities.
What makes Flying Colours the right choice for estate planning advice?
Flying Colours takes a personalised approach to inheritance tax planning. Our experienced financial advisers offer clear, practical guidance, making it easier for you to protect your wealth and pass it on efficiently.
We believe estate planning should be simple and strategic. By understanding your unique circumstances, we create tailored solutions that fit seamlessly into your wider financial plan. Whether it’s trusts, gifting, or tax-efficient investments, we help you make informed decisions that minimise tax and secure your legacy.
Book your free initial chat with our inheritance tax specialists
Get expert guidance on inheritance tax planning today. Book a quick call now for a free, no-obligation chat with one of our independent financial advisers.
Book your free initial chat
Ready to start planning for a brighter financial future? Book now for a free, no-obligation chat with one of our independent financial advisers.
book nowReal stories, real financial outcomes
We’re proud to work with clients who value clear, personal financial guidance. In these short videos, they share their experiences of working with Flying Colours, and the difference expert advice has made to their lives.
Prefer to read? You’ll find full transcripts below each video.
What’s the best piece of advice your Flying Colours adviser has ever given you?
What’s the best thing about working with Flying Colours?
What words would you use to describe Flying Colours?
Would you recommend Flying Colours to other people?
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Pension planning
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Which? Partnership
Natalie is a great Financial Adviser. She was extremely approachable and helpful, spending the time to get to know me and my family's circumstances and was extremely supportive. She took the time to explain quite complicated matters (to me, anyway) in very simple terms, ensuring I fully understood my options to make informed decisions. I really appreciated Natalie's calm and caring style and was very happy with the advice she gave me. I was also very happy with Simon Harvey, who worked with Natalie and followed up with the pension companies to ensure all was on track.
I have received retirement planning advice enabling me to achieve early retirement. George has been supportive and has provided clear explanations and highlighted options and potential risks throughout. Just at the beginning of my journey with Flying Colours but so far so great.
Very professional and informative advice relating to my retirement options. I found Craig to be very knowledgeable and approachable and he gave me sound advise which I acted on. The whole process was well handled, and Craig was never more than a phone, or online meeting away. I would highly recommend his services.
I had been avoiding doing anything with my pensions for years, but I am so glad I contacted Flying Colours. Natalie has been great, she explained everything to me in a way I could understand and produced a really comprehensive report that showed options and outcomes, and reorganised my pensions for me.
Really helpful advice and comprehensive report from Arthur on all matters financial. We sought advice as I neared retirement and was looking for the best way to manage a number of pension pots. With Arthur's help these pots have now been consolidated onto a single platform which is easier to manage. Arthur also provided helpful advice on tax efficient saving ideas.
Great service. I've been with them for several years. Last week I needed a rapid tax free lump sum. I explained situation and legal status and within 4 days money was in my bank account. I appreciate their understanding of the need for rapid processing. George is very professional, and I've been in financial services for years and have a deep mistrust of IFAs but George is one of the best I've dealt with.
I have used my current adviser for many years and more recently been linked with Flying Colours. I find them efficient and trustworthy with regular and helpful financial updates - both written and video.
I have been extremely impressed and happy with the service I’ve got from Flying Colours and in particular my advisor Andrew. Andrew’s patience and ability to explain things in clear everyday language while giving me the reassurance about every step I was taking means my pensions have been sorted and I’m now in the position to make informed decisions about my future. All throughout he’s been transparent and open with me. I’d highly recommend him.
Maxine has been instrumental in managing our financial planning, from pension transfers to tax-efficient strategies within our business. We wholeheartedly recommend her, as we have to friends, colleagues, and family. Her advice is genuine and goes above and beyond her duty to ensure we are getting the best advice at the right time, nothing is too much trouble.
Arthur discussed a variety of options that would suit my future needs and risk profile and I feel he gave me proper independent advice. I feel I made better decisions from understanding the risks and benefits of property v. investment fund and increasing my pension pot. Despite my relatively modest investment, I am taken seriously. Arthur anticipated many of my questions ahead of my first annual review and so despite my funds performance at the current time, I am confident he is helping me to make good decisions for my future financial security.
John is always ready to answer any questions promptly, professionally and in language I can understand. I feel confident with his advice during the current financial problems in the UK.
Excellent service and counsel provided. Would highly recommend. I have been through several advisers over the years but finally feel I’ve found what I’ve been searching for with Flying Colours. The team are consistently helpful and attentive, particularly my contact Billy Ambler who provides a stellar service at every interaction.
My financial adviser Sara Arora Is very personable, professional, friendly and welcoming. We are on the same page when we talk as she explains everything so well and keeps in touch. I am happy with all the updates from Flying Colours, especially with current events impacting investments.