2009/2010 Tax Planning Opportunities
It s not long before the end of the tax year comes near. It is vitally important to make the most of any allowances and tax breaks that are available to you.
By using the allowances and exemptions you will potentially reduce your tax bill substantially. This can usually be done quick and easily with the help of an independent financial adviser.
Tax effective investments
Individual savings accounts
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs). If you are aged over fifty your Isa allowance for the present tax year is now £10,200. ISA’s are free from capital gains tax, can be used to provide an annual income and are one of the most tax efficient investment vehicles available
Pensions
Pensions are also a tax effective way of planning for retirement. Most individuals can contribute up to three thousand six hundred pounds gross each tax year and obtain basic rate tax relief on the payment made. Higher rate taxpayers can claim the residual on their self assessment.
Capital Gains Tax Planning
If you have made profits on certain types of investments you may be able to use your yearly capital gains tax allowance. This will allow you to make gains up to this amount without incurring a liability to tax. In many examples it is also viable to carry forward previous year’s losses.
Income Tax Opportunities
Each individual can have a personal allowance of £6,475 without acquiring any income tax. For wedded couples or civil partnerships, where one is a high rate taxpayer it is worth looking to see who owns the investment and possibly look to transfer assets into the
basic rate taxpayers name.Making annual gifts is also a way of reducing your liability to income tax.
Saving Inheritance Tax
A person can make an IHT exempt gift each year of up to £3000 in a tax year. Any unused exemption can be carried forward for one yr only. If you are capable to make gifts out of income without it changing your standard of living you might be able to make gifts above the annual exemption level.
If you consider your estate could be over the IHT nil rate band then efficient tax planning can be used to reduce your estates possible inheritance liability. This could be a suitably drafted will or alternatively trust planning.
Graham Bond is a Financial Advisor based in Chipping Sodbury South Gloucestershire.
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