Latest Probate and Estate Administration

Set in Stone… or at least, paper. On 21st July 2025 the government published the long-awaited policy paper on changes to Inheritance Tax Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) following the Autumn 2024 Budget.   Despite much lobbying from farmers, professionals and industry leaders, and indeed a lot of wishful thinking, there…

IHT on pensions pushing ahead, more burden placed on personal representatives.   On 21 July the Government released draft legislation on the changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) in bringing unused pension funds into the charge to IHT from 6 April 2027.   These changes include both UK registered pension schemes and certain non-UK pension schemes,…

As we all come to terms with the announcements made in the Autumn Budget, here are some simple Inheritance Tax planning tips to consider. Firstly, anyone can benefit from gift allowances.   Those farmers fortunate enough to have cash can give some away to reduce their estate as follows: £3,000 Annual Exemption This can be…

There’s Always Something! Welcome to Issue 26 of our Farming Group Newsletter for Spring/Summer 2025, our first since the shock Inheritance Tax (IHT) announcements were made in the Autumn Budget 2024. Ironically for many, the autumn, winter and spring conditions so far, despite a few pockets of wet and dry spells, have probably been the…

The estate administration period refers to the time between a person’s death and the final distribution of their estate to beneficiaries. During this period, any income generated by the estate, such as interest, dividends, or rental income, is subject to Income Tax and potentially Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on a sale of chargeable assets. Understanding…

Handling an estate when a loved one dies involves complex legal, tax, and administrative processes that can add a further layer of stress during an already difficult time. At Whitings LLP we provide clear, expert guidance to ease the burden and help you navigate the Probate process, with support at every stage.   Where the…

Many people choose to donate to charity for a range of reasons, often influenced by personal experiences or the impact of someone they know. While tax benefits are rarely the primary motivation, there are several reliefs and considerations to keep in mind.   My recent article, for the Suffolk Community Foundation, highlights some of the…

As we approach another personal tax year end, we turn our thoughts to tax planning opportunities and actions that should be considered before 5 April. The list below is not exhaustive; however, it should provide some food for thought.   Pension Contributions Higher rate and additional rate tax can be saved on pension contributions. However,…

Do you know how Inheritance Tax on classic cars works?   To many a car enthusiast, a classic car is priceless and for tax purposes there are some useful exemptions for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) purposes where the car involved is considered to be a wasting asset.   H M Revenue & Customs have confirmed…

We share a behind the scenes glimpse into what we discussed at our recent Lunch & Learn with our tax experts!   Training is not only attending events or watching webinars. We make our training practical and share our experiences around the firm through our Lunch and Learn sessions.   Our most recent session starred…