Tax-efficient investment strategies to preserve and boost your wealth
Why Tax-Efficient Investing Matters
Investing in tax-favoured investments can significantly support long-term wealth building. With some options offering tax relief at 30% or even 50%, these strategies can reduce your overall tax bill while helping your money grow.
That said, it's essential to seek guidance from an Independent Financial Adviser before making any decisions. A tailored strategy will ensure investments align with your personal goals and risk profile.
Using different Tax wrappers
The rise and fall of General Investment Accounts (GIAs)
Traditionally, after using up their ISA allowance, many investors turned to GIAs. But a series of recent tax changes have made these accounts less attractive:
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) now applies to profits over £3,000, down from £12,300 in 2022/23.
- The dividend allowance is £500 from 2024/25.
- The Personal Savings Allowance for interest is just £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers and £500 for higher rate taxpayers.
This means many investors using GIAs now face regular tax liabilities, especially if they self-manage their portfolio or rebalance frequently.
The growing appeal of investment bonds
Investment bonds offer several tax advantages, particularly for higher earners:
- No tax on transactions within the bond (no CGT, interest or dividend tax).
- Access up to 5% of the original investment per year, tax-deferred.
- The ability to defer tax to a later date, potentially when your income is lower.
- Bonds can be gifted, transferring the tax responsibility to another person, such as an adult child, a useful tactic for paying university fees or passing down wealth.
While these bonds are complex, they can be highly effective when used with expert advice.
Consider alternative investments
Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)
The Enterprise Investment Scheme supports early-stage businesses and offers generous tax incentives to offset the higher risk:
- 30% income tax relief on up to £1 million (£2 million for knowledge-intensive businesses).
- Relief can be carried back to the previous tax year.
- If held for 3 years, may be CGT-free on disposal.
- CGT deferral relief available when reinvesting other gains (e.g. from buy-to-let property).
- 100% Business Property Relief from IHT after 2 years (subject to a £1m BPR restriction from April 2026.
These make EIS a powerful, though high-risk, investment option. As always, consult an Independent Financial Adviser before investing.
Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs)
VCTs offer exposure to a range of small, fast-growing businesses with attractive tax benefits:
- 30% income tax relief on up to £200,000
- Tax-free dividends – if subscription is below £200,000 per tax year.
- No CGT on VCT share gains
- CGT-free transactions within the VCT itself
VCTs are still high risk and are best suited for investors with a higher risk tolerance. Professional advice is essential.
ISAs: A simple way to save Taxes
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) remain one of the simplest and most effective tax wrappers available in the UK:
- Invest up to £20,000 per year
- All income and gains are tax-free
- No tax due on withdrawals
Junior ISAs and Lifetime ISAs (LISAs)
- Junior ISAs: Up to £9,000 per year for children under 18
- Lifetime ISAs (LISAs): Contribute up to £4,000/year (ages 18–40) and receive a 25% government bonus
LISA funds can be used for a first home (property cap £450,000) or accessed tax-free from age 60. Early withdrawal outside of these conditions triggers a 25% penalty.
Do note: while ISAs are income and CGT-free, the total value is still liable for Inheritance Tax (IHT) on death.
Consider a Family Investment Company (FIC)
A Family Investment Company (FIC) is a UK company used to manage and pass on wealth across generations. It offers greater control and can be more tax-efficient than traditional trusts.
Benefits of using a FIC:
- Investment income is retained in the company and taxed at Corporation Tax rates (typically lower than personal rates).
- Dividends can be distributed to family members based on their personal tax bands.
- Income can be paid when needed, e.g. to adult children in low tax brackets.
With flexible share structures and strategic dividend planning, a FIC can be a powerful tool for family wealth planning, especially when you don’t need to draw all the income personally.
However, FICs require careful setup and governance. Legal and tax advice is a must.
We’re here to help
At Azets Wealth Management, we understand that tax-efficient investing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our Wealth Management team works with you to design a personalised investment strategy that reflects your:
- Financial goals
- Risk appetite
- Family situation
- Long-term plans
Reach out to our Wealth Management team today to begin the journey toward smarter, more efficient investing.
