Embrace ‘Holistic’ Tax Planning and Maximize Your Financial Wellness by Richardson Swift tax director Jon Miles
Minimising tax plays a pivotal role in the financial well-being of individuals and businesses alike, but all too often people avoid thinking about tax until a letter from HMRC lands on the doormat.
It might sound a bit New Age but having a ‘holistic’ tax plan in place – one that fully considers factors such as income, investments, assets, debts, retirement plans, estate planning, and personal goals – is the key to overall financial health.
At Richardson Swift we encourage our clients to incorporate tax planning in their everyday lives and advocate regular tax ‘health checks’. This means we can produce an individual strategy that includes a client’s broader financial picture as well as their overall life goals.
“At the end of the day tax is just another cost that can impact your overall finances and, as chartered tax advisers, our role is to minimise its impact on clients by making sure that the jigsaw puzzle of income, investments and business operations, fits together in the most tax efficient way.”
A holistic plan is an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. It requires periodic evaluation and adjustment as circumstances change, tax laws evolve, and financial goals are refined.
Recently, Richardson Swift introduced the role of Client Adviser to its structure. These are the key day-to-day contacts for most clients and are specifically tasked with reviewing and adapting clients’ tax plans on a regular basis.
“If you earn income, run a business, have property or own other assets and investments, we can look after all your tax matters, ensuring you’re compliant, whilst maximising your tax efficiency,” says Jon.
“By adopting an integrated approach, our tax advisers can make informed recommendations that align your long-term personal and business objectives and help you succeed in challenging times. Then you won’t be caught out if life throws you a curveball.”
Managing capital gains and losses, charitable giving, estate planning, and business tax planning, are all areas that our advisers consider as part of a holistic plan, as well as pension contributions and utilizing tax-advantaged investment accounts, where we will need to work with other experts, such as regulated financial advisers, to ensure the best outcome, as we are not regulated to give investment advice
BENEFITS OF HOLISTIC TAX PLANNING:
- Maximizing Tax Efficiency: We identify opportunities for reducing tax liability and strategically plan clients’ financial affairs to take advantage of available tax benefits, resulting in significant tax savings over time.
- Enhancing Financial Decision-Making: Holistic tax planning encourages individuals and businesses to consider the tax implications of their financial decisions. It helps them make well-informed choices that align with their long-term goals while minimizing tax consequences.
- Comprehensive Financial Health: By considering tax planning in conjunction with other financial aspects, such as retirement planning, estate planning, and investment strategies, all elements of an individual's or business's financial life can be optimized, so enhancing overall financial well-being.
- Adapting to Changing Circumstances: Holistic tax planning allows for flexibility and adaptability in response to changing circumstances, including legislative changes. As personal or business situations evolve, taxpayers can adjust their tax strategies to accommodate new goals or take advantage of emerging tax-saving opportunities.