Husband and wife tax advantages

Having recently got married, I thought it useful to summarise the tax pros and cons of such a happy union.

- a couple can have only one main (tax exempt) residence
- assets can be transferred free of capital gains tax between spouses
- spouses are connected for all sorts of things including the associated companies rules where both of them control their own companies
- assets can be transferred free of inheritance tax between spouses
- jointly owned assets are taxed 50:50 unless unless they elect to change these proportions

Of course, these should not be the only factors when deciding whether or not to get married……!

4 comments ↓

#1 John Newth on 05.10.07 at 3:55 pm

A self employed spouse may employ his or her partner, and also fund a pension scheme for him or her. Remuneration must be justifiable and actually paid.

#2 Derek Moore on 05.17.07 at 11:49 am

What is the legal position if a couple are married but separated and living in two separate properties. Is only one exempt and which one?

#3 Administrator on 05.17.07 at 8:55 pm

The married couple restriction only applies to couples ‘living together’. The Revenue accept a couple are not living together only if they are separated under a court order or separation deed or they are in fact separated in circumstances where a permanent separation is likely.

#4 Derek Moore on 05.18.07 at 1:28 pm

Thanks Admin,

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