United Kingdom · Smart Global Capital

Private wealth: foundations and trusts: United Kingdom

Asset protection starts with a permitted legal form and real governance. Private wealth may combine a UK trust, family investment company, LLP, will, life insurance, pension and regulated investment management; the choice follows the owner's residence and domicile, assets, beneficiaries and succession aims.

01Available instruments
02Legal constraints
03Governance and succession
04Banking perimeter

01

Available instruments

Private wealth may combine a UK trust, family investment company, LLP, will, life insurance, pension and regulated investment management; the choice follows the owner's residence and domicile, assets, beneficiaries and succession aims

02

Legal constraints

A trust is not a company and does not guarantee asset protection or tax neutrality. The settlor, trustees, protector, beneficiaries, reserved powers, Trust Registration Service, UK situs assets, income, gains and inheritance tax must be reviewed together

Private wealth: foundations and trusts

Asset protection starts with a permitted legal form and real governance. Private wealth may combine a UK trust, family investment company, LLP, will, life insurance, pension and regulated investment management; the choice follows the owner's residence and domicile, assets, beneficiaries and succession aims.

03

Governance and succession

Fast incorporation does not replace effective management. Board decisions, directors' authority, people, premises, contracts, IP, expenditure and performance should support the tax, transfer-pricing and banking position. A company registers with Companies House using its name, registered office, directors, shareholders, articles and control information; Corporation Tax, bookkeeping, annual accounts, confirmation statements and mandatory identity verification follow incorporation.

04

Banking perimeter

A bank, payment institution, e-money institution, investment firm or wealth manager is checked in the Financial Services Register and against its precise Scope of Permission; corporate accounts, private banking, custody, acquiring and safeguarding are distinct products. The institution reviews the company and controllers, tax residence, business model, source of wealth and funds, counterparties, countries, currencies, projected turnover, sanctions exposure and a credible UK connection.

05

Tax map

The Corporation Tax main rate is 25%, the small-profits rate is 19%, and marginal relief applies between the thresholds; associated companies reduce those thresholds, while residence, permanent establishments, withholding, transfer pricing and sector regimes need separate review. Owner taxation depends on UK residence, income and gains, source, remittance and transitional rules, inheritance tax, trust attribution and treaty relief; an international family needs an annual residence and asset map.

FAQ

FAQ

Where should a private wealth: foundations and trusts project in United Kingdom start?

Private wealth may combine a UK trust, family investment company, LLP, will, life insurance, pension and regulated investment management; the choice follows the owner's residence and domicile, assets, beneficiaries and succession aims

Can formation or account opening be guaranteed?

This material is general information. Formation, licensing, tax outcomes and account opening depend on the facts and the decision of the competent authority or financial institution.

Why are tax and banking reviewed together?

The Corporation Tax main rate is 25%, the small-profits rate is 19%, and marginal relief applies between the thresholds; associated companies reduce those thresholds, while residence, permanent establishments, withholding, transfer pricing and sector regimes need separate review. The institution reviews the company and controllers, tax residence, business model, source of wealth and funds, counterparties, countries, currencies, projected turnover, sanctions exposure and a credible UK connection.

Related routes

Company formation
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Bank accounts and private banking
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UK payment institution and EMI licence
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Relevant practice
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Official sources

Legal review

This material is general information. Formation, licensing, tax outcomes and account opening depend on the facts and the decision of the competent authority or financial institution.

01

Companies House — incorporation and names

United Kingdom: Private wealth: foundations and trusts

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Smart Global Capital

Private wealth: foundations and trusts: United Kingdom

Asset protection starts with a permitted legal form and real governance. Private wealth may combine a UK trust, family investment company, LLP, will, life insurance, pension and regulated investment management; the choice follows the owner's residence and domicile, assets, beneficiaries and succession aims.

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