Expert UK tax advice for individuals and families.

At Spherical, we specialise in providing tailored tax advice and planning for individuals and families across the UK and internationally. As a boutique firm, we combine the technical expertise of a large accountancy practice with the personal attention and discretion of a private advisor. Our mission is to help you navigate the complexities of the UK tax system with clarity, confidence, and compliance.

Whether you are managing personal wealth, planning for the future, or dealing with cross-border tax matters, our team of qualified professionals is here to support you. We are proud members of leading professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), and our advice is always aligned with the UK tax legislation and double tax treaties.

Personal Tax Planning and Compliance

Managing your personal tax affairs effectively is essential for financial wellbeing. We offer comprehensive UK tax advice and compliance services, ensuring your obligations are met while identifying opportunities to reduce your tax liabilities.

Our self-assessment service ensures your tax returns are accurate, timely, and fully compliant with HMRC requirements. We handle everything from gathering financial data to submitting your return, allowing you to focus on your personal and professional priorities.

Beyond compliance, we provide strategic tax planning tailored to your circumstances. Whether you are a high earner, self-employed, or have multiple income sources, we help you optimise your tax position. This includes advice on pension contributions, charitable giving, and income structuring to maximise reliefs and allowances.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Planning

Capital Gains Tax can significantly impact your finances when disposing of assets. Our advisors provide expert guidance to help you manage and minimise Capital Gains Tax liabilities across a range of scenarios. When selling property, we ensure accurate gain calculations, taking into account allowable costs and applicable reliefs such as Principal Private Residence Relief and lettings relief. We advise on timing and structuring of disposals to maximise tax efficiency, particularly in light of the reduced annual CGT exemption.

For investments, including shares and business assets, we offer strategies to reduce CGT through allowances, spousal transfers, and reliefs like Business Asset Disposal Relief, formerly Entrepreneurs’ Relief. We ensure you meet all qualifying conditions and provide clear advice on how to structure transactions for optimal outcomes. With the rise of crypto assets, we also assist clients in understanding HMRC’s treatment of cryptocurrencies. Whether you are trading, investing, or receiving crypto as income, we help you calculate gains, maintain accurate records, and comply with reporting requirements.

In cases of separation or divorce, recent changes, effective from April 2023, have extended the no gain/no loss window for asset transfers between spouses. We work closely with your legal advisors to ensure asset divisions are handled tax-efficiently, helping you avoid unnecessary CGT charges during a challenging time.

Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning

Inheritance Tax (IHT) can significantly erode the value of your estate if not properly managed. Our estate planning services are designed to help you protect your wealth and ensure it is passed on to your loved ones in the most tax-efficient manner. We begin with a comprehensive review of your estate, including property, investments, pensions, and business interests. Our advisors then develop a bespoke strategy to reduce your IHT exposure, using a combination of lifetime gifting, trust planning, and reliefs.

Lifetime gifting is a powerful tool for reducing your taxable estate. We guide you on using annual exemptions, small gift allowances, and gifts out of surplus income. We also help you understand the seven-year rule and taper relief, ensuring your gifts are structured to maximise tax savings. Trusts offer flexibility and control in estate planning. Whether you are looking to provide for children, protect vulnerable beneficiaries, or manage family wealth, we advise on the most suitable trust structures and their tax implications. We also explore alternatives such as Family Investment Companies (FICs) where appropriate.

For business owners and landowners, we ensure you benefit from Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief, which can reduce or eliminate IHT on qualifying assets. We assess eligibility and structure your affairs to secure these valuable reliefs.

We also advise on the use of life insurance policies written in trust to cover potential IHT liabilities, providing liquidity to your estate and peace of mind to your beneficiaries. Estate planning is most effective when started early. Whether you are planning for retirement, succession, or simply want to ensure your family is protected, our team is here to help.

Cross-Border Taxation and Residence Planning

In today’s global economy, many individuals and families have international ties that complicate their tax affairs. We specialise in cross-border taxation and residence planning, helping you manage your UK tax obligations in the context of international circumstances.

Your UK tax residency status determines whether you are taxed on worldwide income or only UK-sourced income. We help you navigate the Statutory Residence Test (SRT), analysing your travel patterns and personal ties to determine your residency status. We also provide pre-arrival and departure briefings to help you plan your movements and structure your finances for tax efficiency.

For clients with income or assets in multiple jurisdictions, we provide guidance on double taxation agreements (DTAs) to avoid being taxed twice. We assist with claiming foreign tax credits, understanding treaty provisions, and coordinating with overseas advisors where necessary.

Whether you are relocating to or from the UK, have international investments, or are managing cross-border family wealth, our advisors provide clear, compliant, and strategic advice.

Reliefs and Allowances

The UK tax system offers a range of reliefs and allowances that can significantly reduce your tax liabilities. However, these opportunities are often missed due to their complexity. At Spherical, we ensure you make the most of every available relief.

We advise on investment reliefs such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), and Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs). These schemes offer generous income tax and capital gains tax reliefs for investments in qualifying companies. We guide you through eligibility, application, and claim processes to ensure you benefit fully.

We also help you utilise capital gains tax reliefs, including Business Asset Disposal Relief, Gift Hold-Over Relief, and reinvestment reliefs. Our advisors assess your circumstances and recommend strategies to defer or reduce CGT on asset disposals.

On the income tax side, we ensure you maximise reliefs on pension contributions, charitable donations, and other deductible expenses. We also help you structure your income and investments to make full use of personal allowances, dividend allowances, and savings allowances.

For inheritance tax, we guide you on using the nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band, and exemptions for lifetime gifts. We also advise on structuring your estate to qualify for Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief where applicable.

Why Choose Spherical?

Choosing the right tax advisor is a critical decision. At Spherical, we offer more than just technical expertise – we provide a trusted partnership. Our clients value our discretion, responsiveness, and commitment to delivering results. We take the time to understand your goals and concerns, offering clear, practical advice tailored to your unique circumstances. Our team stays up to date with the latest tax legislation and professional standards through continuous development and resources.

We also represent clients in dealings with HMRC, including compliance checks and voluntary disclosures. Our experience and professionalism ensure that your interests are protected and your tax affairs are resolved efficiently. As a boutique firm, we offer a level of personal service that larger firms often cannot match. You will work directly with senior advisors who are invested in your success and available when you need them.

for expert UK tax advice for individuals and families, we invite you to get in touch with us and discover how Spherical can help you achieve your goals with confidence.