Family investment companies
A family investment company can help you pass on your wealth to the next generation while still keeping control.
Our expert estate planning specialists will work with you to understand what you need, and whether a family investment company is the answer.
What are the advantages of a family investment company?
You could pay less tax
Family investment companies (FICs) are separate legal entities. Profit is taxed at corporation tax rates, which can be lower than personal rates of tax. Crucially, dividends received by the FIC are not subject to corporation tax which offers opportunities to grow wealth within the structure in a tax efficient way. For property owning FICs, there is still relief available for interest on loans that is no longer available for individuals. If profits are distributed to shareholders as dividends, they do suffer an additional layer of personal tax in the hands of the recipient, so FICs can be most tax advantageous when used as a growth vehicle for family wealth.
You stay in control
You can use a family investment company to transfer value to the next generation while keeping control over the wealth. That’s because you can give cash to family members to allow them to subscribe for shares or set up a family trust with sufficient funds to purchase shares for the future protective benefit of selected family members (such gifts being outside of your estate for inheritance tax after seven years). You can be a director of the family investment company or appoint directors of your choice and ensure that the governance documents are structured to offer maximum protection.
Your assets are protected
Assets held by the family investment company are separate from shareholders’ personal assets. This can protect them against personal liabilities for business debts or legal claims. Although the value of shares held by an individual will be taken into account on a divorce or bankruptcy.
They’re flexible
A family investment company can invest in a wide range of assets, including property and shares. So you can diversify your investment portfolio for higher returns.
They can bring you together
Family investment companies can give your family a structured way to share information about family wealth, to educate the next generation on how to manage and protect that wealth, to set out family expectations (such as a requirement to have a marital agreement), and to share investment decisions and rewards. They help family members work together longer-term.
