One couple’s plan was to sell their house and business in Yorkshire, buy a relatively modest place in south-western France and invest the rest of the proceeds from the sale. They were in their 50s, and their investments needed to provide them with income for the rest of their lives.

Siddalls planned and managed these investments to give them the tax-efficient income they needed – but our most important advice to this couple was related to inheritance tax. They had four grown-up children, who were staying behind in the UK, at work and university. Naturally they wanted them to have to pay as little French inheritance tax as possible. This tax can be very high, but with careful planning, it’s possible to reduce the liability in some circumstances.

In this case, because we set up the couple’s finances correctly before they left for France, they were able to avoid paying any French inheritance tax on their capital. We also structured their investments so there was almost no income tax to pay. Having made both these savings, the couple can look forward to a more prosperous life in France, and be reassured that their children’s inheritance is protected.

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