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Estate Tax Experts

Make Your Estate Tax Efficient with Expert Planning

Estate planning is about more than who inherits what. For many UK families, the larger question is how much of their wealth reaches the next generation and how much is lost to inheritance tax and administration. The estate tax experts at HeirPlan work with individuals, families, business owners and landowners across the UK to build clear, tax-efficient plans that fit the rules as they stand and can be reviewed as they change.

We specialise in UK estate and inheritance tax planning. Our role is to help you understand your position, use the reliefs and allowances open to you, and put the right legal structures in place so your intentions are carried out with as little tax leakage as possible.

Why Work With HeirPlan’s Estate Tax Experts

UK inheritance and estate tax rules are detailed, interconnected and subject to change. Two major reforms have already been confirmed: the £2.5 million combined allowance for Business Relief and Agricultural Relief from 6 April 2026, and the inclusion of most unused pension funds within the inheritance tax estate from 6 April 2027. Without a plan that reflects the current rules, an estate can face a larger tax bill than needed, and families can be left to navigate a complex process at a difficult time.

When you work with HeirPlan’s estate tax experts, you can expect:

  • A thorough review of your current position, including your estate value, existing wills and any trusts already in place
  • Practical guidance & Inheritance tax advice on reducing your potential inheritance tax exposure using the allowances and reliefs open to you
  • Clear, written recommendations you can share with your family and other advisers
  • Structures and plans that are legally compliant and kept under review as the rules change
  • Support for your executors and beneficiaries when the time comes

 

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    Our Estate Tax and Inheritance Tax Services

    Estate and Inheritance Tax Review

    We start with a detailed review of where you stand today. A typical review looks at:

    • The estimated value of your estate, including property, investments, business interests and pensions
    • Worldwide assets and how they interact with UK inheritance tax
    • Your current wills, trusts and life policies
    • Potential exposure to inheritance tax based on current rules
    • Opportunities to use exemptions and reliefs more effectively

    Estate Tax Reduction Planning

    Once your position is clear, we help you put a tax-efficient plan in place. Depending on your circumstances, this may include:

    • Making use of the standard nil-rate band of £325,000 and, where available, the residence nil-rate band of up to £175,000 (the residence nil-rate band tapers by £1 for every £2 by which an estate exceeds £2 million)
    • Transferring unused allowances between spouses and civil partners
    • Lifetime gifting, including potentially exempt transfers (PETs), the annual gift exemption of £3,000, the small gifts exemption of £250 per person per tax year, and gifts in consideration of marriage or civil partnership
    • The normal expenditure out of income exemption, where regular gifts from surplus income can fall outside the estate if the conditions are met and properly documented
    • Planning for Business Relief and Agricultural Relief ahead of the £2.5 million combined allowance that applies from 6 April 2026
    • Reviewing pension arrangements in light of the 6 April 2027 changes that will bring most unused pension funds and certain death benefits within the IHT estate
    • Charitable giving structured to use available reliefs
    • Ensuring ownership of property and investments is structured in a way that supports your plan

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    Will and Trust Planning Support

    Your will and any trusts you use should work together with your tax plan. We help you:

    • Review your existing will and identify updates that may be sensible
    • Consider trusts that can protect family wealth, vulnerable beneficiaries or minor children
    • Coordinate with your solicitor so that legal documents reflect your wishes and your tax plan
    • Think through the practical side of how assets will pass and who will be involved

    Business Owner Succession and Estate Planning

    If you own a business or shares in a private company, your estate plan needs to consider more than tax. We help you think through:

    • How and when ownership should pass to the next generation or to a third party
    • Who will control and run the business in the future
    • How the changes to Business Relief from 6 April 2026 affect your position
    • Structures such as Family Investment Companies and Family Limited Liability Partnerships, where these fit your circumstances
    • How to provide fairly for family members who are not involved in the business

    We coordinate with your accountant and solicitor so that commercial, tax and family objectives work together rather than pulling in different directions.

    Farmers and Landowners

    For farming families, agricultural property and business interests often make up most of the estate. We help you:

    • Understand how Agricultural Relief and Business Relief apply to your land, farmhouse, machinery and diversified activities
    • Plan for the combined £2.5 million allowance for Agricultural Relief and Business Relief that applies from 6 April 2026
    • Review ownership structures, tenancies and partnership agreements
    • Consider environmental land management agreements and how they interact with Agricultural Relief

    Support for Executors and Families

    When a family member has died, the practical side of an estate can feel overwhelming. We can help executors and administrators with:

    • Understanding their responsibilities
    • Gathering information about the estate and its value
    • Working alongside solicitors and accountants to manage paperwork, forms and deadlines
    • Understanding and managing any inheritance tax due
    • Communicating clearly with beneficiaries

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    Who We Work With

    Our clients are varied, and we tailor our work to the shape of each estate. We regularly advise:

    • Individuals and couples who want a clear, tax-efficient plan for their estate
    • High net worth families with a mix of property, investments and business interests
    • Business owners planning succession, a future sale or an exit
    • Blended families who want to balance fairness between children and stepchildren
    • Farmers and landowners with qualifying agricultural property
    • Internationally mobile families and individuals affected by the residence-based inheritance tax rules introduced from 6 April 2025, including the new long-term UK resident test that replaced the old domicile and deemed domicile rules
    • Trustees of UK and offshore trusts holding assets within the new IHT framework
    • Executors and administrators who want professional support during estate administration

    Whether your estate is straightforward or complex, the goal is the same: to give you options, clarity and a plan that is fit for the current rules.

    Is Estate Tax Planning Right for You?

    You do not need to be ultra-wealthy for estate tax planning to be worthwhile. It may be particularly relevant if:

    • You own one or more properties in the UK or abroad
    • You have meaningful savings, investments or pension funds
    • You own a business or shares in a private company
    • You have children from a previous relationship, or a blended family
    • You want to leave a structured legacy to charity
    • You are married or in a civil partnership and want to make full use of both spouses’ allowances
    • You want to keep a family home, farm or business in the family
    • You hold agricultural or business assets that may be affected by the 2026 reforms

    If you are unsure whether planning is needed, we can help you work out whether your estate is likely to face inheritance tax and what your realistic options are.

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    Our Approach

    Clear

    We explain estate tax in plain English so you can clearly follow what we are recommending and why.

    Personal

    Every family is different. We take the time to understand your assets, relationships and objectives before we design a plan.

    Collaborative

    We are happy to work alongside your existing solicitor, accountant or financial adviser so that all parts of your planning fit together.

    Forward-looking

    We keep an eye on the rules. Where legislation or your circumstances change, we help you adjust your plan.

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    What You Can Expect When You Work With HeirPlan

    1. Initial conversation. A no-obligation discussion to understand your situation, concerns and objectives, and to outline how we can help.
    2. Information and analysis. We gather key details about your assets, family and any existing arrangements, and review your current estate tax position.
    3. Personalised plan. You receive a clear, written recommendation setting out your likely inheritance tax exposure, options to reduce or manage it, practical steps and timescales.
    4. Implementation. We help you put the plan into action, coordinating with your solicitor, accountant or financial adviser where needed.
    5. Ongoing review. Life and legislation both change. We can review your plan periodically so it stays aligned with your wishes and current rules.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is estate tax in the UK?

    In the UK, estate tax usually refers to inheritance tax, which is charged at 40% on the value of an estate above available nil-rate bands. The standard nil-rate band is £325,000 per person, and the residence nil-rate band can add up to a further £175,000 where a qualifying residence is passed to direct descendants and other conditions are met. Additional reliefs, such as Business Relief and Agricultural Relief, may reduce the taxable value of qualifying assets.

    Do I need a solicitor as well as HeirPlan?

    Yes, in most cases. We work alongside your solicitor, accountant and financial adviser so that your will, trusts and tax planning are aligned. We do not replace legal or regulated financial advice.

    Can you help if I already have a will?

    Yes. We regularly review existing wills and estate plans to check whether they still reflect your wishes and remain tax-efficient under current rules. The 6 April 2026 changes to Business Relief and Agricultural Relief are a common reason for reviewing older wills.

    How do trusts help reduce inheritance tax?

    Trusts can take certain assets outside the value of your estate for inheritance tax purposes while letting you control how and when those assets are used. Some lifetime transfers into trust may fall outside the estate after seven years, subject to conditions. Trusts have their own tax rules, including possible entry, exit and ten-year anniversary charges, so we help you choose a structure that fits your goals and avoids unnecessary charges.

    Will I still have access to my assets if I put them into a trust?

    That depends on the type of trust. Some trusts allow you to retain specific benefits, while others are designed to relinquish control in return for tax advantages. We explain the differences clearly and help you select a structure that matches what you are trying to achieve.

    Can I put my home into a trust to avoid inheritance tax?

    This is possible in limited circumstances but needs to be handled carefully. If you continue to live in the property without paying a market rent, HMRC may treat it as still forming part of your estate under the gift with reservation of benefit rules, meaning no inheritance tax advantage is gained. We help you understand the risks, alternatives and whether the approach fits your situation.

    What is changing in 2026 and 2027?

    From 6 April 2026, a combined £2.5 million allowance will apply to Business Relief and Agricultural Relief. Qualifying property above that allowance will receive 50% relief. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and certain pension death benefits will be included within the value of the estate for inheritance tax purposes. Both changes make it worth reviewing your plan well in advance.

    How quickly can you start work?

    After your initial conversation, we can usually begin a full review within a few weeks, depending on the complexity of your estate and the information we need to gather.

    What makes a good estate tax adviser?

    A good estate tax adviser combines technical knowledge of UK inheritance tax, trusts and succession rules with the ability to explain options clearly and coordinate with your solicitor, accountant and, where relevant, an authorised financial adviser. Look for advisers who keep up with current legislation, give you written recommendations you can review, and are clear about what they can and cannot do under their professional remit.

    Ready to Talk?

    If you’d like to understand how estate tax might affect your family, and what you can do about it, we’re here to help.

    Contact HeirPlan today to arrange an initial conversation and start building a clear, tax-efficient plan for your legacy.

     

    Plan Today. Protect Tomorrow. Book a Free Consultation

    The rules on inheritance tax and estate planning are changing. A clear plan, built with experienced estate tax advisers and reviewed regularly, helps you make use of the allowances and reliefs available to you and pass on more of what you have built.

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    Expert Guidance for High Net Worth Individuals

    1
    Comprehensive Wealth Analysis

    A detailed review of your global assets, liabilities, and family objectives ensures every element of your estate is structured to minimise tax and protect wealth.

    2
    Advanced Tax Mitigation Strategies

    Utilising trusts, Family Investment Companies, and lifetime gifting, we help reduce exposure to Inheritance Tax (IHT), Capital Gains Tax, and other UK and international taxes.

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    3
    Tailored Succession Planning

    Custom plans ensure seamless wealth transfer to the next generation, balancing fairness, family dynamics, and long-term financial security.

    4
    Asset Protection & Risk Management

    Strategies such as Asset Protection Trusts safeguard property and investments from creditors, divorce settlements, and market volatility.

    5
    Global Estate Coordination

    For clients with cross-border assets, we provide integrated planning to manage multi-jurisdictional tax laws and ensure compliance worldwide.