UK expat? Stop HMRC taking more of your estate than your family Book a no‑obligation UK inheritance tax planning consultation and understand your options in 30 minutes.
How much Inheritance Tax will your family face? HMRC now collects over £8 billion a year in Inheritance Tax — more estates than ever are being dragged into the net.
As a UK expat, effective cross‑border planning can cut the Inheritance Tax your estate may owe to HMRC. Complete the form to book a no‑obligation consultation with a specialist adviser who understands UK rules and the implications of holding assets overseas.
We help thousands of UK Expats connect to Cross Border specialist Tax Advisers who provide free initial consultations that cover IHT Planning and any other tax issues you may have.
UK expat? Stop HMRC taking more of your estate than your family Book a no‑obligation UK inheritance tax planning consultation and understand your options in 30 minutes.
How much Inheritance Tax will your family face? HMRC now collects over £8 billion a year in Inheritance Tax — more estates than ever are being dragged into the net.
As a UK expat, effective cross‑border planning can cut the Inheritance Tax your estate may owe to HMRC. Complete the form to book a no‑obligation consultation with a specialist adviser who understands UK rules and the implications of holding assets overseas.
What Is Cross‑Border UK Inheritance Tax Planning for Expats?
As a UK‑connected expat, the way you structure your affairs can significantly reduce the Inheritance Tax your loved ones pay on your estate.
With the recent rule changes around residence and domicile, more British families living overseas are finding that HMRC can still have a claim on their estate when they die.
This means the right planning can help you leave more of your wealth to your family, and less to the taxman.
While there are a range of allowances and reliefs available, the interaction between UK rules and your country of residence can be complex. Speaking with a specialist UK expat tax adviser can help you understand your position and put a clear plan in place for passing on as much of your estate as possible.
Ways To Approach Cross-Border Inheritance Tax Planning
Step 1
Book a No Obligation Consultation
We work with leading UK‑based advisers who specialise in helping expat clients build cross‑border inheritance tax plans to protect their estates on death.
These advisers will guide you through the complex UK residence, domicile and allowance rules, and help you understand the most suitable IHT solutions for your global estate and chosen beneficiaries.
Step 2
Other Cross‑Border Tax Considerations
Living abroad with assets in more than one country can create complex UK and local tax issues for your estate. Our specialist tax advisers can help you understand how UK Inheritance Tax interacts with overseas property, local succession taxes, and wider cross‑border tax rules so your wishes are carried out as efficiently as possible.
We can also assist with broader cross‑border tax questions, including how UK rules apply when you:
Own or sell property in the UK and overseas.
Receive rental income or investment income across borders.
May be exposed to local inheritance, estate or wealth taxes in your country of residence.
Connect with a cross‑border UK expat tax adviser today to review your position and discuss practical steps to protect your estate and reduce avoidable tax leakage.
Step 3
Inheritance Tax Allowance 2025 - 2026
The first £325,000 of someone’s estate, not including the home you own is free of IHT. This is called the Nil Rate Band (NRB) If you don’t have a home, or you leave that home to someone other than your children, your estate will then pay 40% Tax on anything over the £325,000, on your death.
For a married couple or civil partnership, when one of them passes on the surviving partner could receive their loved ones IHT allowance.
Step 4
Inheritance Tax On Family Home
If you leave a qualifying home to your children, grandchildren or other direct descendants, your estate may benefit from an extra £175,000 Inheritance Tax allowance called the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB). This sits on top of the standard £325,000 Nil Rate Band (NRB) per person.
For a married couple or civil partners, both the NRB and RNRB can usually be transferred on the first death if unused. That means that on the death of the surviving spouse, up to £325,000 + £175,000 can potentially be available for each person — a combined £1,000,000 of the estate free of Inheritance Tax, provided all the conditions are met and the estate is not large enough for the RNRB to be tapered away.
The questions we get asked most
1. Can I appeal a tax assessment?
Yes. You have 30 days to appeal or request an HMRC internal review. If you still disagree, you can take the case to the independent Tax Tribunal.
2. Do I need a solicitor for a tax investigation?
In most cases, no — experienced tax investigation specialists (chartered tax advisers or accountants with deep HMRC enquiry expertise) are the ideal choice for handling the majority of investigations, including complex compliance enquiries and COP9 contract settlements.
These specialists excel in technical resolution, negotiation with HMRC, and achieving the best outcomes through voluntary disclosures and settlements.
A solicitor is typically only required if the case escalates to a criminal investigation (e.g., serious fraud allegations with potential prosecution). In those rare situations, solicitors provide legal professional privilege (protecting confidential communications from disclosure to HMRC — which accountants/advisers do not have) and full rights of audience in court.
For the best result, many cases benefit from a coordinated approach: a tax investigation specialist leading on compliance and strategy, supported by a solicitor where criminal risk emerges.
3. What is tax investigation help?
Specialist support from experienced tax investigation advisers — often chartered tax advisers, accountants, or former HMRC inspectors now in private practice — who guide you through HMRC enquiries, COP9 procedures, and voluntary disclosures.
These specialists help reduce stress, manage document requests, negotiate with HMRC, and work to minimise penalties and financial risk, often achieving the best possible outcome through compliance or settlements.
In rare cases involving potential criminal allegations, a solicitor may be involved for additional protection (e.g., legal privilege).
4. Need confidential help?
If you’ve received an HMRC letter or are worried about your tax affairs, contact us for a free, confidential, no-obligation discussion. Our team has helped hundreds of individuals and businesses achieve the best possible outcome.
Latest Guides
Free plain-English articles – updated regularly
A Few Recent Examples
“Received a COP9 letter for undeclared offshore income. I was convinced it was going criminal. They explained everything calmly, handled the disclosure, and it was settled civilly in 13 months. I slept properly for the first time in weeks after the first call.”
– Company director, North West
“HMRC opened an investigation into my property rental income. Thought I’d lose the houses. They took over, dealt with all the meetings and paperwork, and got it closed with penalties I could manage.”
– Landlord, South East
“Ignored the first letter – big mistake. Second letter threatened prosecution. They stepped in, turned it around, and it finished civil. Wish I’d called on day one.”
– E-commerce business owner
“Best decision I made was picking up the phone. They were straight with me from the start and took all the stress away.”
– Self-employed consultant
Trusts and Inheritance
The ‘Settlor’ that is person who creates the Trust and places assets in a trust.
The ‘trustee’ or person in charge of the trust.
The beneficiary of that trust.
Suppose you place your money or property in a trust. When calculating your inheritance tax bill, it is no longer considered part of your estate. additionally, different types of trusts may be taxed differently.