Worldwide Financial Planning

Tariffs are clearly having an effect. The US is raking in far more customs revenue than it was just a few months ago, and companies, which this week include Caterpillar and Toyota, have warned of the cost of dealing with them.

This isn’t just about tax. It’s about keeping more of what you’ve worked for in the hands of the people you love, rather than writing a cheque to HMRC because of missing paperwork or missed opportunities.

Markets initially welcomed the EU/US deal but enthusiasm was short-lived as the latest agreements – like the other deals already signed – lack substance and leave a considerable amount of detail to be agreed. Meanwhile, companies including Games Warehouse in the UK, Ford in the US and Adidas in Germany have added to warnings about the financial cost of high US tariffs.

It's not too often we wake up thinking 'today’s a belting day to plan my death duties'. Yet every year, families are blindsided by the bureaucratic mess and tax bill which can follow a loved one’s passing on top of the trauma of loss.

The trade deal between Japan and the US was welcomed by investors in Japanese equities. Japanese car makers were among the biggest beneficiaries, and a quick glance at recent earnings updates from global car makers shows why.

In 2017, the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) was introduced with a lot of trumpeting and, predictably, a lot of confusion. It promised to help families pass on the family home without a massive tax bill. The small print, as always, tells the real story.