IHT

As Britain wakes up this morning to a likely hung parliament, IFAonline examines the key issues threatening a cross-party coalition.

It's decision time. Finally the General Election 2010 is here. But before you rush out to mark your cross in the polling booth, here is a recap of what the three main parties are offering in six key policy areas.

Julie Hutchison takes a look at how the recent Budget has affected estate planning

Child Trust Funds (CTFs) could solve Britain's debt problem if linked with inheritance tax (IHT) as a part of a wider, inter-generational asset strategy, experts say.

An austerity Budget full of tax hikes coupled with "dumbed down" pension provision will put the services of professional financial planners in high demand, says the president of the Personal Finance Society (PFS).

David Glick, director of Edge Investment Management, says investing in the glamorous world of football transfers is a new way of mitigating inheritance tax liabilities.

The Chancellor will use the Budget to hike capital gains and inheritance taxes to fund Gordon Brown's pledge today not to cut front-line services, Legal and General predicts.

The market for over 50s life cover plans is set to grow and, says James Eaglen, the products are already in the market

Proposed legislation which could pull financial advisers under HMRC's ‘tax agent' banner will only affect those "doing something illegal" and not intermediaries "giving honest advice", HMRC says.

IFAs could face substantial tax penalties if they offer inheritance tax advice, according to the Tax Advice Network.