Maximising Allowances for Financial Success: Strategies and Examples

Efficient tax planning plays an essential role in the growth and preservation of financial assets for anyone. A well-rounded financial strategy incorporates pension schemes, insurance policies, and investment opportunities to make the most of the various allowances provided by the government. This comprehensive guide will discuss the importance of maximising allowances, provide key strategies, and offer practical examples to work towards financial success.

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief is generally dependent on individual circumstances.

Tax allowances are provisions set by the government that reduce an individual's taxable income, consequently lowering their overall tax liability. By taking full advantage of these allowances, high net worth individuals can develop effective wealth management strategies and preserve their assets more efficiently. Some of the key allowances to consider include:

Each of these allowances offers unique benefits and opportunities to optimise your financial planning. Understanding their nuances and utilising them effectively is essential for maximising your wealth.

The Personal Allowance is the threshold of income an individual can earn each year before being subject to income tax. For the tax year 2023/2024, the Personal Allowance is set at £12,570. Utilising the full Personal Allowance is of utmost importance, as it directly influences an individual's tax liability.

1. Income splitting with a spouse or civil partner: By transferring income-producing assets to a spouse or civil partner with a lower income, couples can ensure that both partners utilise their full Personal Allowance.

Example: If one spouse earns £60,000 per year and the other earns £10,000, transferring an income-producing asset generating £5,000 per year to the lower-earning spouse could save the couple around £1,000 in income tax.

2. Deferring income: If you are close to the threshold of the Personal Allowance, consider deferring income to the next tax year to avoid exceeding the limit and incurring additional tax liabilities.

Example: If your income for the year is £12,500 and you anticipate receiving a £1,000 bonus, deferring the bonus to the next tax year would keep you below the Personal Allowance threshold for that year, potentially saving you £200 in income tax.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is applied to the profits made from the sale or disposal of assets, such as property, stocks, and shares. The CGT allowance, also known as the Annual Exempt Amount, is the amount of profit you can make tax-free each year. For the tax year 2023/2024, the CGT allowance is £6,000 for individuals. Effectively utilising this allowance can substantially reduce one's overall tax liability and boost investment returns.

1. Realising gains annually: By selling assets with capital gains up to the CGT allowance each year, individuals can minimise their tax liabilities and lock in tax-free profits.

Example: If you own shares worth £50,000 with a capital gain of £15,000, selling enough shares to realise a gain of £6,000 within the tax year would keep your gains tax-free, potentially saving you up to £1,080 in CGT.

2. Offset losses against gains: If you have made losses on investments, you can offset these against your capital gains to reduce your overall tax liability.

Example: If you have capital gains of £20,000 and capital losses of £10,000, your net capital gains would be £10,000, which falls below the CGT allowance, potentially saving you up to £2,400 in CGT.

3. Bed and ISA or Bed and SIPP: Transfer assets with capital gains into an ISA or SIPP, which are tax-efficient wrappers, to potentially reduce your CGT liability.

Example: If you have £20,000 in shares with a capital gain of £8,000, transferring those shares into an ISA or SIPP can help shelter the gains from CGT, potentially saving you up to £1,200 in taxes.

The Dividend Allowance is the threshold of dividend income an individual can receive tax-free each year. For the tax year 2023/2024, the Dividend Allowance is set at £1,000. By strategically managing investments to exploit this allowance, individuals can optimise their investment returns and minimise tax liabilities.

1. Diversify your investment portfolio: Invest in a mix of dividend-paying and non-dividend-paying assets to balance your income and capital gains.

Example: If you have £100,000 invested in dividend-paying stocks yielding 4% annually (£4,000), consider investing a portion of your portfolio in non-dividend-paying assets, such as growth stocks or bonds, to keep your dividend income within the £1,000 allowance and avoid additional taxes.

2. Utilise tax-efficient wrappers: Invest in dividend-paying assets through tax-efficient wrappers, such as ISAs, to shelter your dividends from taxation.

Example: If you have £50,000 invested in dividend-paying stocks outside an ISA and receive £2,000 in dividends, you would pay up to £150 in taxes on the £1,000 exceeding the allowance. By investing within an ISA, your dividends would remain tax-free.

The Pension Allowance, also known as the Annual Allowance, is the maximum amount a person can contribute to a pension scheme each year while still receiving tax relief. For the tax year 2023/2024, the Annual Allowance is set at £60,000. Optimising pension contributions to fully leverage this allowance can significantly improve retirement savings and reduce one's overall tax burden.

1. Carry forward unused allowances: If you haven't used your full Annual Allowance in the previous three tax years, you may be able to carry forward the unused amounts and contribute more than the standard £60,000 (or 100% of eligible earnings, whichever is lower) in the current tax year.

Example: If you have contributed only £40,000 to your pension in each of the previous three tax years, you can carry forward £60,000 of unused allowance (£20,000 x 3) and contribute up to £120,000 in the current tax year while still receiving tax relief (subject to earnings).

2. Salary sacrifice arrangements: Consider using a salary sacrifice arrangement with your employer, which allows you to contribute a portion of your salary to your pension before tax deductions, potentially increasing your Annual Allowance.

Example: If you earn £80,000 per year and agree to a salary sacrifice of £10,000, your taxable income is reduced to £70,000, potentially saving you up to £4,000 in income tax.

Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are tax-efficient savings vehicles that can be used to invest in a wide range of assets, such as cash, stocks, and bonds. The ISA allowance is the maximum amount an individual can invest in an ISA each tax year. For the tax year 2023/2024, the ISA allowance is set at £20,000. By maximising the ISA allowance, individuals can grow their investments tax-free, substantially enhancing their wealth management strategy.

1. Contribute regularly: Establish a regular savings plan to contribute to your ISA throughout the year, ensuring that you reach your annual limit by the end of the tax year.

Example: If you plan to maximise your ISA allowance of £20,000, consider contributing £1,667 per month over the course of 12 months to reach your goal by the end of the tax year.

2. Consider various ISA types: Explore different types of ISAs, such as Cash ISAs, Stocks and Shares ISAs, Lifetime ISAs, and Innovative Finance ISAs, to diversify your investments and maximise tax-free growth.

Example: If you have £20,000 to invest, you could split your contributions among a Cash ISA (£5,000), Stocks and Shares ISA (£10,000), and a Lifetime ISA (£5,000) to take advantage of different investment opportunities and tax benefits.

The value of an ISA with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

An investment in a Stocks and Shares ISA will not provide the same security of capital associated with a Cash ISA. The favourable tax treatment of ISAs may not be maintained in the future and is subject to changes in legislation.

Please note Cash, lifetime and Innovative Finance ISAs are not available through St. Jame's Place.

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax levied on the estate of a deceased individual. The IHT threshold, or nil-rate band, is the value of an estate that can be passed on without incurring IHT. For the tax year 2022/2023, the IHT threshold is set at £325,000, with 40% normally being charged in taxes on any amount above that. Additionally, there is a gift allowance that allows individuals to give away a certain amount of their assets tax-free each year.

1. Make use of the annual gift allowance: Anyone can give away up to £3,000 per tax year without incurring IHT. This annual exemption can be carried forward for one year if not used.

Example: If you give away £3,000 to a family member this year and did not use your gift allowance in the previous year, you can give away an additional £3,000 without incurring IHT, totalling £6,000.

2. Utilise small gifts exemption: You can also give away up to £250 per person per tax year to any number of recipients without incurring IHT.

Example: If you give £250 each to ten friends or relatives, you can give away a total of £2,500 tax-free using the small gifts exemption.

3. Regular gifts out of income: If you make regular gifts out of your surplus income, these gifts can also be exempt from IHT, provided certain conditions are met.

Example: If you have a monthly surplus income of £1,000 and decide to gift £500 per month to your children, these gifts could be exempt from IHT if they are considered part of your normal expenditure and do not affect your standard of living.

Maximising allowances is a important aspect of effective wealth management. By understanding and taking full advantage of the various allowances, it's possible to develop tailored financial plans that minimise tax liabilities and align with their long-term financial goals. Staying informed and implementing strategic tax planning can greatly enhance financial success and ensure a prosperous future.

The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.