ETC Tax

06/09/2026

Family Investment Companies: 15 Questions People Ask Before Setting One Up
https://etctax.co.uk/family-investment-companies-your-q-answered/

A Family Investment Company (FIC s a UK-resident private limited company where the shareholders are family members. Could it be the right way to manage and pass on family wealth?

FICs have become an increasingly popular option used for family succession and tax planning, allowing founders to retain control whilst passing wealth to future generations in a tax-efficient manner.

But they aren’t right for everyone.

Before setting one up, it’s important to understand how they work, the tax implications, the costs involved and whether a FIC genuinely fits your long-term objectives.

In our latest article, we answer 15 of the most common questions people ask about Family Investment Companies.

If a FIC is something you’ve been considering, reading this article is a good place to start.

04/09/2026

Should we be teaching more about tax and money at school?

The kids are back at school (finally), and we’ve just received a letter outlining some of the topics they’ll be covering as part of 'Life Programme' in Years 10 and 11.

Tax
Income
Debt and borrowing
Saving
Investing

It was great to see these included.

Understanding money is such an important life skill, and becoming financially and tax-aware from a young age can only be a good thing.

For many people, their first real introduction to tax is when they receive their first payslip, start their own business, begin investing or suddenly find themselves needing to complete a tax return.

Giving young people a basic understanding before they reach that point could help them make more informed decisions about tax, earning, saving, borrowing and investing as they get older.

We spend a lot of time at ETC Tax helping people understand the tax consequences of financial decisions, so perhaps the earlier we start that education, the better.

What would you like to see taught in the school curriculum when it comes to tax, money and personal finance?

I'd be interested to hear what people think. 👇

30/08/2026

The inheritance tax planning mistake we see time and time again

“Can I just put my house in my children’s names and avoid Inheritance Tax?”

It’s one of the most common questions we’re asked, and on the face of it, it sounds like a simple solution.

If you no longer own the house, surely it won’t form part of your estate?

Unfortunately, Inheritance Tax isn’t quite that simple.

Transferring your home to your children while continuing to live there can create unexpected tax consequences and, without the right planning, could leave you in a worse position than if you did nothing at all.

So, before signing over the family home, it’s important to understand exactly what the tax rules mean for you.

If only it were that easy…

👉 Read our latest article to find out more:
https://etctax.co.uk/can-i-avoid-inheritance-tax/

25/08/2026

Need tax support without taking on a full consultancy project?

Tax Partner Pro membership gives professional advisers access to ETC Tax’s team of qualified tax experts, providing behind-the-scenes support across a wide range of UK tax matters, including VAT.

It’s ideal when you need:

A second opinion on a tax issue
Expert input on a client query
Written advice you can refer back to
Practical answers rather than simply being pointed towards legislation or HMRC guidance
Access to specialists across different areas of tax
Additional support to complement your own in-house expertise

Members also benefit from exclusive online content, discounts on consultancy work and discounted bespoke training sessions.

Think of Tax Partner Pro as an extension of your team, giving you additional tax expertise when you need it, so you can confidently support your clients.

Want to find out if Tax Partner Pro could work for your firm?

Get in touch with the ETC Tax team to arrange a call and find out more.

https://etctax.co.uk/contact-us/

24/08/2026

Giving money during your lifetime can be incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s helping your children onto the property ladder, contributing towards university fees or supporting grandchildren, you get to see the difference your gift makes.

But before making a significant gift, it’s important to consider the wider tax implications.

Lifetime gifts can have Inheritance Tax (IHT) consequences, and the timing and structure of a gift can make a significant difference.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right approach will depend on your finances, family circumstances and longer-term plans.

Our latest article looks at the pros and cons of giving now versus leaving an inheritance in your Will, along with some of the key IHT considerations to think about.

👉 Read the full article: https://etctax.co.uk/gift-now-or-inherit-later/

30/07/2026

Still wondering if Making Tax Digital applies to you?
If so click here https://etctax.co.uk/making-tax-digital-is-here/

28/07/2026

19/07/2026

HMRC's long-awaited Capital Goods Scheme reforms are almost here.

Find out what the changes could mean for your business.

https://etctax.co.uk/vat-update-capital-goods-scheme/

17/07/2026

Is being "nice" part of your business strategy?

When we receive client testimonials, we're always pleased to hear words like efficient, proactive, and knowledgeable.

Recently, two separate clients described our team as "nice people" and "lovely people."

Comments like this mean just as much.

Why????

Tax isn't always about numbers; it can be about someone worried they've made a mistake on a tax return, a business owner making a huge financial decision, or a family navigating sensitive subjects such as inheritance.

These conversations can, at times, be stressful, emotional and personal.

You can be the most qualified/knowledgeable tax adviser in the building, but if your clients don't feel comfortable talking to you, they'll often hold back information. This could have a huge impact on the advice given.

Whilst we're proud to be recognised for our technical expertise, we're equally proud when clients remember us for the way we made them feel.

Thank you to every client who takes the time to leave us feedback. We never take it for granted.

If this post has prompted you to leave us a 'nice' review, click here ➡️ https://g.page/r/Cd8r_IFq0ES4EBE/review

15/07/2026

Passing on wealth is one thing. Passing on a business is another.

When people talk about inheritance tax planning, they often bundle everything together under the heading of "protecting family wealth".

In reality, there's a big difference between passing on wealth and passing on a business.

Click here to find out more - https://etctax.co.uk/passing-on-wealth-is-one-thing-passing-on-a-business-is-another/