Spear’s Review

Tim Searle, founder and chairman of HNWTAX, has been advising international high-net-worth individuals on estate planning and tax mitigation for 30 years.

In recent years, changes to UK tax laws have ushered in significant changes to the ways international investors are structuring their wealth. ‘[Holding assets] through an offshore company [used to] mitigate capital gains and your inheritance taxes. That’s no longer the case,’ he tells Spear’s.

In addition to succession planning strategies, some of his clients choose to explore life insurance options when considering their tax mitigation. ‘The insurance policy pays the tax bill when it happens. I broker those kind of insurance policies,’ he says.

Adviser Profile

Having been offshore for 30 years, primarily in the UAE, I have firsthand experience of conducting business overseas and creating solutions not normally found in domestic markets. Locally partnered with a member of the Al Maktoum ruling family of Dubai, I provide unbiased solutions through collaboration with other global HNW advisory partners, predominately in the areas of tax mitigation, privacy, asset protection and succession. A full STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) member, CII (Chartered Insurance Institute of London) qualified and a member of the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers, I am able to blend my experience and disciplines to complement legacy structures with robust insurance solutions to deliver better outcomes for HNW families.

Key areas include but are not limited to:

• UK inheritance tax planning with the use of specialist international liquidity solutions
• The ability to mitigate US withholding tax (30 per cent) with IRS approved insurance structures
• Estate equalisation for complex families, ensuring liquidity on the demise of the UBO
• Philanthropic and charitable liquidity plans
• Tax optimisation on European assets
• Shareholder protection and double option agreements
• Estate preservation, inter-generational wealth transfer and privacy
• Complementing legacy SPV/trust structures to meet current tax legislation

I am not owned by any bank, trust or insurance group and have the ability to access all providers regardless of jurisdiction through my global network of partners built over the last 30 years. It is essential to deliver unbiased, timely and accurate advice so HNW families have a clear understanding of all options open to them to make informed decisions on their wealth today and for future generations. I am open to any discussion with like-minded professionals in the HNW advisory space.