UK Domicile

Anyone who is a UK Domicile when they die will have their global assets valued for Inheritance Tax (IHT) to be paid to the UK tax office – HMRC.

This is 40% (on all assets) above the nil rate band GBP 325,000. If you are married to another UK Domicile, then your assets pass to each other tax-free, but your children would then get a bill of 40% above your joint estate value of GBP 650,000. If your spouse is not a UK Domicile, they will get a tax bill of 40% above GBP 650,000.

There is an additional allowance for UK property ownership if you leave your assets to your children as beneficiaries via your will.

The term Domicile is associated with where HMRC classes your home. A residence has to do with income tax, BUT Domicile collects IHT. It is essential to know the difference.

Do you know your current Domicile status?

UK Passport holders, please read

The term Domicile is associated with where HMRC classes your home. A residence has to do with income tax, BUT Domicile collects IHT. It is essential to know the difference.

Although you, as a UK Citizen, have lived outside of the UK for a “long time,” you need to have established a Domicile of Choice elsewhere to “add” to your UK Domicile. This is estimated as around 15+ years in one country, and you are to have given up most ties to the UK (personal ownership of assets.) This would remove global IHT, and HMRC would only apply tax to the UK assets.

If you have “lived outside the UK” for any number of years and not established a permanent home elsewhere, you are still a UK Domicile.

The UK Government raised over GBP 5.4 billion in 2018/2019, so they are serious about collecting this tax, which is also avoidable if planned for properly.

Many Brits do not even know that they fall into the trap of paying IHT on their global assets as the rules are confusing and personalized to your situation.
Inheritance Tax is the most avoidable as you can plan to ensure that your loved ones pay the minimum or none at all.

Estate Planning Made Easy and Seamless

When most people hear the term "estate planning", images of the Monopoly Man likely come to mind. Of course, the wealthy are commonly associated with the estate planning process because they know how to benefit from a complex web of laws that enable them to leave their assets to future generations most efficiently (and with the least tax burden).

But estate planning is much more than trust funds and inherited wealth. A comprehensive estate plan can benefit practically anyone--from instructing family members who should take over your company to gifting assets in bank accounts in the event of the untimely death or disability of the parents to ensuring that one's medical wishes are followed.

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Estate Planning

Everyone has possessions they will leave behind when they die and should make provisions for how they want these to be distributed.
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Wills

Without a Will, the Court of Probate makes decisions on your behalf –  the risk being your possessions will not be distributed as you would like.

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Trusts

Your property passes immediately and directly to your named beneficiaries whenever needed with the right type of trust in place.

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Power of Attorney

You choose who makes decisions, in keeping with your preferences, for the handling of your medical care, assets, and investments.

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Guardianship

Ideally, guardians should be appointed in a Will and a Deed, giving them immediate access to take charge of the care of children.
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Digital Wills

Manage the fate of your online presence and assets in one document without having to make arrangements with each site.
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Cross-Border Planning

It is important to consider your overall tax status when you marry or move to another country or invest in an asset away from home.
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Company Protection

The company should consider how it would financially replace its key person if this person were to die or become incapacitated.
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Set Up A Consultation

Reach out to the experts at Carey Suen today and begin putting plans in place to secure the future of your legacy.

We specialize in a diverse set of bespoke wealth management solutions meant to protect you and your assets from both the uncertainties and eventualities of life. Our services include:

  • Helping you stay in charge of what happens to your possession when you die.
  • Ensuring your beneficiaries (especially those most vulnerable) are taken care of.
  • Catering to the tax concerns of UK citizens who live abroad as well as those with international family ties or investments
  • Helping you secure your digital property in an increasingly digital world.
  • Providing advice and solutions for leader replacement in cases of retirement or death.
  • Ensuring someone is assigned to carry out your wishes in the event you are unable to do so.

All of our processes require an in-depth knowledge of the laws and taxes applicable locally and globally.

They also require the flexibility to create unique solutions that cater to the specific situations and scenarios our clients bring to us.

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