What we do

Life can be complicated and any estate or succession planning can have tax consequences. At Holmes Mackillop, we are able to advise on all aspects of Inheritance Tax (IHT), Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax to ensure that your goals are achieved in the most tax efficient way.

IHT is something that will need to be considered by your Executors after your death no matter what. This means that it is important for IHT to be considered at the point you are putting your Will in place to ensure that all available exemptions are being used. However, depending on your circumstances, the opportunities for reducing any IHT liability are limited in your Will. Instead, we can help you plan in advance and guide you through the steps to take to reduce the potential exposure during your lifetime. We can work closely with your financial planner and/or accountant (or introduce you to someone we trust if you don’t have one already) to ensure that you receive the best advice as to their options. In some cases, this can involve the use of Trusts or other legal mechanisms.

If you are a beneficiary of a Trust or an estate, it might be sensible for you to think about a Deed of Variation. Depending on your circumstances, this can be a very useful IHT planning tool. Our solicitors can advise you on this and help you put something appropriate in place.

We are also able to prepare and lodge tax returns for individuals and on behalf of Executors and Trustees.