I received a rather worrying email from my trustee and wonder if anyone else has received the same or indeed what their thoughts on this statement are.
The trustees main argument arises if the settlement offer agreed with HMRC does not resolve the issue of IHT on the loans being written off.
"Consequently, should we become aware that you have settled with HMRC but not sought to have the loan written off as part of the settlement, the trustees must still consider recalling the outstanding amount in the best interests of the trust beneficiaries as a whole and to protect the position of the trustees."
So this scenario could play out:
1. Settlement is agreed and paid to HMRC on tax due on treatment of loans as income
2. After settlement with HMRC, a request is made to the Trustee to write the loans off
3. If loans are written off, this MAY trigger an IHT charge
4. On the basis that it MAY incur an IHT charge, the trustee demands full repayment of all loans to "protect themselves"
Anyone else confused?...
The trustees main argument arises if the settlement offer agreed with HMRC does not resolve the issue of IHT on the loans being written off.
"Consequently, should we become aware that you have settled with HMRC but not sought to have the loan written off as part of the settlement, the trustees must still consider recalling the outstanding amount in the best interests of the trust beneficiaries as a whole and to protect the position of the trustees."
So this scenario could play out:
1. Settlement is agreed and paid to HMRC on tax due on treatment of loans as income
2. After settlement with HMRC, a request is made to the Trustee to write the loans off
3. If loans are written off, this MAY trigger an IHT charge
4. On the basis that it MAY incur an IHT charge, the trustee demands full repayment of all loans to "protect themselves"
Anyone else confused?...
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