Specialist Tax Planning Products
Higher risk and specialist investment products are typically used by high net worth individuals and more sophisticated investors. As well as offering portfolio diversification, specialist investment products can provide an opportunity to minimise tax liabilities.
But the right advice and due diligence is still crucial in ensuring that such opportunities outweigh the higher risks. What’s more, understanding the ins and outs of ever-changing tax legislation can be a daunting task for any individual.
This is why many investors turn to Kirk Rice. Our team of qualified investment professionals (backed by experienced paraplanners) offer specialist investment and tax planning.
Specialist investment planning
Effective planning cannot be done without a full understanding of your existing investment portfolio (including property, investments, savings and pensions). We take into consideration all your existing tax efficient provisions too (such as ISAs and pensions) before advising how specialist investment products could work to your advantage.
Our investment team is not restricted to specific products. As such, we are able to research the whole of the market on your behalf. So we can talk through the different options and opportunities available.
Once we make a recommendation and you give us the green light, we also conduct regular review meetings. This is when we will adjust your investments, according to changing circumstance.
We will provide you with reports that include performance reviews and any recommendations. And we’ll carry out all the suggested changes to your portfolio on your behalf.
Minimising tax liabilities using specialist investments
Investing in unquoted companies offers a good example of how you could minimise tax liabilities using specialist investment products.
With careful planning, investment vehicles like Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) can be used to mitigate income and capital gains tax. Their riskier nature means they benefit from what’s known as loss relief. It means any loss after this tax relief can be offset against income tax. (An EIS currently benefits from 30% income tax relief.)
What’s more, capital gains tax due on other investments can be deferred by reinvesting into an EIS. And after two years, an EIS becomes exempt from inheritance tax.
Similarly, a Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) invests in start-up businesses. These naturally have a higher risk of failure – reflected in the more generous 50% income tax relief.
While Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) shares are usually listed, gains are likely to be difficult to realise as they invest in companies that are typically not publicly traded (or freely marketable). As such, VCTs also benefit from 30% Income Tax Relief.
In these examples, income tax relief is actually repayable if the investment is not held for the required minimum period. All of this makes specialist tax planning knowledge crucial in making sure you don’t pay too much tax.
And while a particular investment opportunity may appear prudent, unquoted shares can of course be illiquid and carry a greater risk of absolute capital loss. Our investment and tax specialists will help you assess these risks too.
A no-obligation meeting
You receive a no cost, no-obligation meeting with one of our investment specialists. They will discuss your circumstances and objectives, as well as your attitude towards risk. As everybody’s circumstances differ, we can talk about how we can help you specifically.
Kirk Rice LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (www.fca.org.uk/register). FCA Registration No: 531538.
Kirk Rice LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales (Registered Number: OC354936) and having its registered office at The Courtyard, High Street, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7HP.
