Planning for the Future in the COVID 19 Era

Planning for the Future in the COVID 19 Era

When we speak to the solicitors and US lawyers we work closely with, they report that they have never been busier advising clients about how to revise their wills and put in place effective US and UK inheritance planning.  Also, we are speaking of a lot of money transferring to the next generation:  Accenture estimates that millennials will receive $30 trillion or more from the baby boomers in the next two decades.

Clients are motivated to act today to protect their families and to ensure that they take advantage of the current opportunities for passing on wealth to the next generation.

Most commentators expect increases in taxes either directly or indirectly going forward to pay for supporting economies around the world during the pandemic.

Some of the proposals that have been floated include:

  • A wealth tax which was a major plank in Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign platform and was mooted by Jeremy Corbin prior to last year’s general election. France has had one for a number of years.
  • Eliminating or reducing the principal residence exemption in the UK
  • Reducing the UK capital gains allowance and bringing US and UK capital gains tax rates more into line with income tax rates.
  • Reducing the inheritance tax threshold in both the US and UK from the current levels of £325,000 and $12.06 million respectively per person. Above the exemption, the tax rate in both the US and UK is currently 40%.  Americans may also be subject to state inheritance taxes if they own real property in that state, such as a holiday home, farm or other property.
  • Eliminating the Potentially Exempt Transfer (“PET”) which takes a gift out of one’s UK estate if the donor outlives the gift by seven years.

Clients are looking at how to help their children and grandchildren through gifting strategies as well as ensuring that any inheritance they might receive is done in a tax efficient manner.

What are some of the planning opportunities available?

  • Having a US resident relative establish 529 plan accounts for your children. These can help fund both private elementary and secondary schooling as well as university tuition both ins the US and Europe
  • Using your $15,000 annual US exemption per recipient in conjunction with the PET regime. If you are married, you can both give $16,000 to each of your children or grandchildren.
  • If you are married to a non-American and your principal residence is in your name, consider using the $164,000 annual tax free gift allowance to transfer part or complete ownership.
  • If you are married to a non-American and have the possibility of funding all or part of their £20,000 annual ISA allowance, do it!
  • If you are expecting a significant inheritance from a US parent and are not yet deemed domiciled in the UK for inheritance tax purposes (eg you have not lived in the UK for 17 out of the last 20 UK tax years), it may make sense for a US trust to be established for you and potentially your own children as beneficiaries.

We recommend that you speak to your legal and tax advisor about the best strategies for your own financial situation.  Tanager works with most of the UK and US law firms that do inheritance and tax planning and would be happy to recommend one that is appropriate for you.

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Abbas Somji

Abbas Somji

PARTNER AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Abbas moved to London in early 2018 to be with his British wife. Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Botswana, Abbas then migrated to Houston where he attended University. He began his professional career at an RIA in Houston and holds the Series 65 license and US CFP® . He brings with him a decade of experience in advising High-Net-Worth clients and business owners. Abbas is a Partner and Advisor and ensures he’s helping clients navigate the complicated world of being an expat in the UK. He particularly enjoys providing clients with the clarity and confidence to pursue their financial goals. A sports enthusiast, Abbas enjoys conversing about and playing soccer/football and attending Liverpool matches.

Read more… Abbas Somji, Beyond the Bio

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Alistair Jackson

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Alistair joined the team at Tanager in 2019 following his completion of an MPhil in English at the University of Cambridge as a John Crook Scholar. With three years of experience working across our Investment and Financial Planning teams, Alistair transitioned to the Advisor Team in January 2022. His time is now focused on the production and implementation of robust planning and investment strategies for our clients on either side of the Atlantic. Outside of the office, Alistair’s time is divided between exploring East London’s many food markets, spending time with friends and family, and travelling abroad.

 

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Angela Lloyd-Read

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Having worked with private clients for almost 25 years, Angela has helped a diverse range of clients improve their financial well-being. A Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, she is passionate about the importance of relevant and ongoing financial planning, and the difference it can make to the lives of individuals and families alike. As a member of Resolution, she works with solicitors and mediators to improve financial outcomes for clients going through divorce or separation. By communicating complex ideas simply and setting out clear priorities, Angela allows clients to concentrate on their other concerns at this time. In her free time, Angela enjoys exploring London’s museums and galleries and being creative in the kitchen for the benefit of friends and family.

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David Costello

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David arrived in the UK on New Year’s Day 2014 and brought with him fifteen years’ experience advising private clients and business owners. He attained the U.S. Certified Financial Planner designation in 2007. David specialises in building financial plans for UK based households that include US taxpayers and is tirelessly committed to helping Tanager clients maximise their wealth and achieve their stated goals and objectives while navigating the US/UK tax and investment landscape. David is a Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor and is active in volunteering and fund raising for the support toward the treatment and eradication of blood cancers.

Read more… David Costello, Beyond the Bio

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Gail joined Tanager in 2021 as a financial advisor with more than fifteen years of experience in senior investment banking and management consulting roles at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank. She enjoys leveraging her financial experience to make a tangible difference for Americans living in the UK by helping to manage their complex finances globally. Gail moved to the UK from Chicago to complete an MBA at London Business School. As a dual UK/US family living in west London, she understands the challenges our clients face.

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Ieuan joined Tanager in January 2023 to continue his career in wealth management and provide client solutions for families across the UK and the US. He has a strong background in finance, having spent 3 years as a Financial Planner after graduating from Newcastle University with a 2.1 degree in Economics and holds the Series 65 license, the CFA Investment Management Certificate (IMC), and the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (CII). A keen student of history, Ieuan spends his weekends either reading or watching his beloved Newcastle United.

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After graduating from Oxford Brookes University in 2018 with a 1st Class Honours in Accounting & Finance, James spent 9 months traveling the United States and Australia before returning to the UK in 2019 to embark on his career in Financial Planning.  Since then, James went on to obtain the coveted (CII) Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in 2022, and more recently, in May 2024, joined Tanager as an Associate Financial Advisor where he will be working closely with the Senior Advisors to support them and their clients with their financial planning. James loves all things exercise-based outside of work, including running, football, snowboarding, and everything in between.

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Kristopher has lived in London since 2007 and combined his ten-plus years of experience in the Institutional Asset Management Industry in the US and Europe and personal experiences as an expat to found Tanager. A founding partner and Chief Investment Officer, Kris has been a guest lecturer at the London School of Economics and has particular interest and experience in portfolio efficiency – encompassing tax, cost, and the optimal risk budgeting of a client’s assets. Kristopher is an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles and enjoys going back to Maryland whenever he is able to.

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Kyle is a Certified Financial Planner ™ (CFP ®) and joined Tanager in London in 2016 having moved to the UK with his fiancée. A US/UK dual citizen and Philadelphia native, Kyle previously worked as a financial advisor in the US specializing in retirement planning. Now spearheading Tanager’s stateside office in Philadelphia, Kyle brings both relevant personal and professional experience to his role and covers the areas of pensions for US residents, British expats and transatlantic families living in the US. Outside of his work life, Kyle is an avid traveller and craft beer enthusiast.

Read more… Kyle Pettigrove, Beyond the Bio

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Louis Davies

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Louis started his Wealth Management career in 2015 and has 10 years of experience in financial planning, with 4 years focused on Transatlantic Advisory services. He specialises in structuring global assets to enhance clients’ financial affairs, as well as developing strategies for US-connected families and individuals both before and after relocating to the UK. Louis holds the Certificate in Advanced Financial Planning (CISI) and the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (CII). Outside of work, Louis enjoys going to the gym and is a long-time sufferer of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

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Luke Papaelias

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Luke joined the Tanager US team in 2025 as a Financial Advisor with over 18 years of experience in the industry. Born and raised in Australia, Luke completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Business Law) at Curtin University and holds the Series 65, as well as an Advanced Diploma of Financial Planning.  Luke started his professional career as a tax accountant, later switching to a Financial Advisor role and brings over 17 years of experience in advising High-Net-Worth clients around the globe. In 2018 he relocated to Dubai with his family to continue providing advice to predominantly UK and Australian expats in the region. After 6 years in Dubai, Luke moved to Houston to help expatriate families living in the US, navigate the complex world of cross border advice. Luke has always had a strong passion for finance and has developed a particular interest in the unique issues that expatriates face when planning for their financial future. He is passionate about helping clients navigate cross border issues and helping them achieve financial freedom to pursue their goals. Outside of work, Luke enjoys outdoor activities with his family. He is a motorsport enthusiast and has a passion for travel as well as learning new cultures.

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Patrick Mulhern

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Born and raised in New Hampshire, Patrick moved to Scotland at seventeen to study at the University of St. Andrews and has been picking up knowledge of life on both sides of the Atlantic ever since. A Partner and Financial Advisor, he specializes in complex planning for high-net-worth clients, international estate planning and inheritance issues. Prior to working in Financial Planning, he worked for a trust and estate law firm and co-wrote the book Estate Planning to Die For. Patrick lives in Sussex with his wife and children. He gets back to New England as often as possible and is one mountain short of having hiked all 4,000 Footers of the White Mountains.

Read more… Patrick Mulhern, Beyond the Bio

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Robyn Power

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Robyn joined Tanager in 2025 from Edinburgh, bringing valuable experience in the international advice space. She has a background in assisting expats with the complexities of cross-border financial planning. Having earned her Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (CII), Robyn is committed to providing insightful, tailored guidance to help clients navigate their financial journeys with confidence. A graduate of the University of Aberdeen with a 2:1 MA (Hons) in French & Hispanic Studies, Robyn has a deep appreciation for global cultures. Her passion for travel and world cuisines reflects her international perspective, qualities that enhance her understanding of the diverse needs of expatriate clients.

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Susan Blaylock

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Susan joined Tanager in 2019 upon moving to London. She is a Financial Advisor and has over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, mainly as a CPA. What she loves about financial planning is the opportunity to help people understand and achieve the financial goals that are most important to them. She enjoys the challenge of working with the complex situations of US expats. Susan shares Tanager’s philosophy of developing strong relationships with clients and gaining a deep understanding of their financial situations and life goals. Outside of work, Susan enjoys exploring, including hiking in the Alps, canyoning, kayaking London’s canals, cycling, and spending time with friends and family.

Read more… Susan Blaylock, Beyond the Bio

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