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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Chris has provided peace of mind enabling us to now retire early. He has taken the time to get to know and understand us, helping us to develop and adapt our strategy. We have an open and transparent relationship with him which builds trust. He is personable and tailors solutions to our needs.
I’ve been absolutely delighted with the advice and support I’ve received from Maxine Clarke. She took the time to understand my goals, explained my options clearly, and helped structure my retirement plans. I now feel fully informed, supported, and confident about my financial future.
Luca encouraged me to take a step back and look at the bigger picture – how much risk am I prepared to take, how much income do I really need for my day‑to‑day expenditures, what are my plans for retirement. Luca worked through all the steps of the process at my pace, patiently explaining all the jargon as we progressed.
Chris took the time to understand our goals, provided clear explanations of approaches and a thoughtful, well-structured follow up note. Chris' approachable nature and attention to detail was first class. Following our interactions we now have a much clearer understanding of the relevant aspects to our estate planning.
Liv patiently understood our circumstances and conducted the due diligence required to provide very transparent and exceptionally professional advice. He struck a great balance on long‑term investments, pensions, insurance and retirement. I found Liv very knowledgeable, confident, and personable.
Tom expertly guided me through the complex and time-consuming process associated with consolidating several company pensions. Tom has also provided advice on a number of other financial benefits I was previously unaware of.
Ross gave me a lot of very useful information. He explains everything in a clear and concise way and doesn’t fill your head with jargon you may not understand. He keeps it plain and simple. Ross helped me understand how I could claim back overpaid tax and money I had been paying for a service with a previous pension adviser that shouldn’t have been charged.
From the initial meeting, George was able to understand my concerns and present options for how I could move forward. At no point did I feel any pressure, and I felt from the outset that I wanted to establish a long‑term relationship with George.
Russ guided me through the process of assessing current and future demands on my finances and the selection of appropriate pension investments. Throughout the process Russ has been very patient and explained clearly different options with their risk/benefit profiles. I have found his manner very supportive.
I had several meetings with Freddie to discuss my medium‑ to long‑term goals, my appetite for risk, the kind of retirement I would like and at what age. We then walked through my current finances in detail, and Freddie presented the gap between where I am now and where I would like to be, and proposed some changes that could help me achieve my goals in future.
Liviu has provided us with invaluable help regarding our pensions and how to best plan for our retirement. He has always made time to explain our options and fully answer any concerns we had. He has always gone the extra mile to ensure we were comfortable with the decisions we made and was endlessly patient.
I cannot tell you how much it has meant to have Russell Bruce’s advice. I no longer worry that I’m not doing enough to feel financially secure and confident about the future, and that has made a huge difference for me. I find him very easy to talk to; he has a lovely professional, friendly manner. I’ve already recommended him to a family member.
I’ve been a client of FC for almost 10 years and it’s proved to be one of the best financial decisions I’ve made. The advice, care and detail given to me has always been fantastic both from my advisor Billy and the whole FC team. I have recommended their services multiple times before and wouldn’t hesitate again! A brilliant company!
I asked Billy outright, if Flying Colours would make us that fee back in the first 12 months of managing our pensions. He told me it would and I’m happy to say he was right. We’ve got to know him really well and we completely trust the advice he gives us; advice which, over the years, has covered way more than just our pension.