Expert estate planning and taxation services. Secure legacies with ACG.
You’ve worked hard to build wealth. Now it’s time to protect it.
At Audit Consulting Group, we specialise in estate tax planning — helping individuals and families structure their estates to reduce inheritance tax, maintain control, and ensure a smooth transition of wealth. Whether you’re planning for retirement, the next generation, or simply want peace of mind, our bespoke strategies give you clarity, security, and control.
This is estate planning and taxation — done right.
What Is Estate Tax Planning?
Estate tax planning is the strategic management of your assets, liabilities, and ownership structures to reduce exposure to taxes upon death or asset transfer. In the UK, this primarily relates to Inheritance Tax (IHT) — which can take 40% of your estate over the £325,000 threshold.
Our tax and estate planning services aim to:
- Reduce or eliminate IHT liabilities
- Ensure assets are passed to chosen beneficiaries
- Avoid family disputes and legal delays
- Use trusts and lifetime gifting efficiently
- Protect family wealth from external risks
- Integrate with business succession plans
Without planning, your loved ones could face delays, stress, and significant tax bills. With our help, your estate can be passed on efficiently, and in line with your wishes.
Who Needs Tax and Estate Planning?
If you:
- Own property (especially in London or South East)
- Have savings, investments, or a pension pot
- Own a business or shareholdings
- Have children or dependents
- Have foreign assets
- Are concerned about family disputes or remarriage
- Want to protect vulnerable beneficiaries
- Are approaching retirement
- Expect to receive or leave a significant inheritance
…then estate tax planning is essential.
Many of our clients are homeowners, entrepreneurs, landlords, retirees, or parents planning to protect their children’s futures.
The Risks of Not Planning Your Estate
- Up to 40% of your estate lost to IHT
- Frozen bank accounts until probate is granted
- Family arguments over assets or unclear intentions
- Unprotected dependents or vulnerable heirs
- Assets inherited by unintended persons (e.g., ex-spouses)
- Tax-inefficient transfer of business or pensions
- Legal delays of 6–12 months or longer
These problems are entirely preventable with the right planning.
Our Estate Tax Planning Services
We provide a full range of tax estate planning services:
- Inheritance Tax (IHT) mitigation strategies
- Will review and coordination with solicitors
- Use of nil-rate bands, residence nil-rate band, and exemptions
- Lifetime gifting plans (including PETs and CLTs)
- Family Trust setup and guidance
- Business Property Relief (BPR) strategies for business owners
- Agricultural Property Relief (APR) for landowners
- Estate freezing and growth transfer strategies
- Pensions and death benefit optimisation
- Life assurance policies in trust
- International estate planning (for UK expats or mixed domiciles)
- Tax-efficient philanthropy and charitable giving
- Succession planning for family businesses
- Coordination with legal and wealth advisors
Each plan is tailored. No generic templates. No one-size-fits-all.
Why Choose Audit Consulting Group?
- 10+ years experience in UK inheritance tax and estate planning
- Trusted by HNW individuals, families, and business owners
- Discreet, confidential service
- Clear, jargon-free explanations
- Fully integrated tax, legal, and financial expertise
- Collaboration with your existing solicitor or wealth manager
- Transparent fees, no hourly surprises
- Long-term relationship focused
We protect more than money — we protect peace of mind, family values, and legacies.
Real-Life Case Studies
Case 1: Property Owner – London
A couple owned a £2.1M home and had £700k in investments. They assumed everything would go to their children tax-free. We showed their estate had a potential £540,000 IHT bill. We structured lifetime gifts, placed insurance in trust, and rebalanced assets. Result: full mitigation of IHT.
Case 2: Business Owner – Birmingham
Owner of a family business worth £4M wanted to pass it to children. We ensured eligibility for Business Property Relief, created a family trust for shares, and avoided inheritance tax entirely on business assets.
Case 3: Retired Professional – Edinburgh
Widowed client with £1.5M estate wanted to support grandchildren’s education. We set up a discretionary trust, gifted £300,000 over time, and ensured her estate was below the IHT threshold when she passed. Zero tax paid.
Case 4: International Family – UK + EU
Client had property in Spain and UK and was unsure how both countries would tax inheritance. We coordinated with overseas advisors to create tax-compliant, dual-jurisdiction wills and structured the estate to prevent double taxation.
Our Estate Tax Planning Process
- Discovery Call (Free)
Understand your family, assets, goals, and concerns. - Full Estate Review
Assess your current estate structure, IHT exposure, and documentation. - Personalised Strategy Design
We build a written estate tax plan outlining reliefs, tools, and next steps. - Implementation Support
We work with solicitors, IFAs, and trustees to execute the plan. - Ongoing Monitoring & Family Support
As tax law or life changes, your plan evolves with it.
You remain in control — and your loved ones remain protected.
How Much Inheritance Tax Could You Owe?
UK Inheritance Tax is 40% on the estate above your nil-rate band (£325,000) and potentially the residence nil-rate band (£175,000). That means:
- Estate of £1.2M: ~£140,000 in IHT
- Estate of £2M: ~£460,000 in IHT
- Estate of £3M+: over £800,000 in IHT, possibly more
But there are legal ways to significantly reduce or eliminate this tax.
Smart Tools in Tax and Estate Planning
- Lifetime Gifts: Make tax-free gifts during your life. Some are exempt immediately; others after 7 years.
- Trusts: Protect assets and control how they’re used, while reducing IHT exposure.
- Family Investment Companies (FICs): A powerful tool for high-value families to pass growth, not capital.
- BPR-Eligible Investments: Business or AIM investments that become IHT-exempt after 2 years.
- Pensions: Outside the estate and can pass tax-free if structured well.
- Charitable Giving: Reduces your IHT rate from 40% to 36% when leaving 10%+ of estate to charity.
- Insurance in Trust: Ensures proceeds don’t enter your estate and create a tax liability.
Client Testimonials
“Audit Consulting Group simplified a very emotional and complicated process. Their estate planning saved my children from paying £280k in tax — and gave me peace of mind.”
– Linda M., Oxford
“Clear, compassionate, and highly strategic. They made difficult topics easy to understand. Now I know my estate is in order.”
– Mark D., Cheltenham
“I had no idea my estate was exposed to that much tax. They reorganised everything — trusts, wills, gifts — and helped me plan for my grandchildren.”
– Charlotte G., York
Frequently Asked Questions
Is estate planning only for the very wealthy?
Not at all. If you own property, have children, or are worried about who receives what after you’re gone — you need a plan. Even estates worth £500k+ may face IHT issues.
Can you write my will?
We don’t write wills directly, but we work closely with your solicitor or can refer you to a trusted specialist. We ensure your tax plan and will are aligned.
Can I set up a trust to avoid tax?
Trusts don’t “avoid” tax — they structure it. Done correctly, they can protect assets and reduce IHT. We help choose the right type and ensure it’s compliant.
Can I still control assets if I gift them?
With certain structures like trusts or FICs, yes. We explain the balance between tax efficiency and control, and design plans that work for your needs.
How much do you charge?
We offer fixed-fee planning or bespoke services depending on complexity. The initial consultation is free.
Can you help if I live outside the UK?
Yes — we have clients in Spain, France, UAE, the US, and more. We coordinate with international advisors for global estate planning.
What happens if I do nothing?
Your estate may face unnecessary tax. Your family could deal with long delays and disputes. Your wishes may not be followed. Planning avoids all this.
Let’s Secure Your Legacy
At Audit Consulting Group, we understand estate planning is personal. We treat every client with care, discretion, and deep expertise.
Whether you’re just starting to think about your legacy or want a second opinion on an existing plan — we’re here to help.
Your wealth deserves to be passed on — not taxed away.
📞 Book Your Free Estate Tax Review
📧 Request a Custom Estate Planning Report
📍 Trusted by Families Across the UK | Discreet | Strategic | Compassionate
Audit Consulting Group – Estate Planning and Taxation, Done Right
