Often, we hear our clients asking: Are Trusts safe? How can I ensure that the assets within the Trust remain under my control? When you settle some of your valuable assets into a Trust, you are actually handing over the legal title, or ownership, to the trustees. These days trusts are set up and administered…
Read more
Many expats shrug off the idea of using Trusts because they feel they are complex or just for the benefit of the very wealthy. Most people are actually oblivious to the real reason why trusts are widely used by wise expats to structure and efficiently hold their valuable assets. Here, we will look closely at…
Read more
At first sight news about inheritance and a large amount of cash or, in fact, other assets, such as property or stocks, will bring sadness at the passing of a loved one, are often followed by joy for the beneficiary. If those assets are not appropriately managed, they will quickly diminish and become a burden…
Read more
Last time we looked at the stamp duty land tax (SDLT) situation from an overall perspective. Every property sold in the UK for more than £40,000 is assessed for SDLT and the amounts due are to be reported and paid to HMRC within 14 days of completion. We looked at some examples of sales at…
Read more
When you purchase a property in the UK a tax or duty is payable to HMRC. Known officially as stamp duty land tax (SDLT), this is a tax that was significantly changed from its predecessor, Stamp Duty. The UK government renamed and relaunched the tax in December 2003 and displayed the new rules and rates…
Read more
A short answer to the question “Do I have to pay inheritance tax on my parent’s property” is yes. You have to pay inheritance tax in the UK for your parent’s house, and families often question why they have to pay taxes on property and estate that is theirs. During a lifetime, one will pay…
Read more
A trust is a safe, some say impenetrable structure, that provides a secure platform to house your investments. It offers the assets placed within protection against all manner of eventualities, especially if you establish your trust in Hong Kong. ‘Asia’s World City’ is a highly regulated jurisdiction and has a favourable taxation regime, making Hong…
Read more
The rules around UK inheritance tax, who pays it, how much they pay and when it is paid, is an intricate and sometimes confusing subject. When your loved ones pass away, they intend that their accumulated wealth goes to you. The UK IHT regime is such that the estate of a deceased person is assessed…
Read more
There are a few types of trusts, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, which you should discuss thoroughly with Soteria Trusts advisor before setting one up. Bare Trust The person who sets up a Bare Trust (the Settlor) should be certain that the assets they set aside will go directly to the…
Read more
A Trust is a mechanism whereby one person (the ‘settlor’) may give away the enjoyment of assets to a group of individuals (the ‘beneficiaries’), while control and decisions on the administration and investment of those assets lie with others (the ‘Trustees’). The Settlor is the person who provides the assets of the trust. Unless he…
Read more
