G5 Trusted by 1k+ Business Directors

FIC Frequently Asked Questions

A Family Investment Company (FIC) is a private limited company, typically set up by the director of a trading company, with consideration for the benefit of family members. Its primary purpose is the holding and managing of business profits, family assets, investments, properties, or cash. A FIC is one powerful element of many Lifetime Business Tax Plans, or as a standalone tool. To find out more about FICs, investments a FIC can make, FIC rules and regulation and more about TLPI’s FIC service, please click on the frequently asked questions below.

Speak to a FIC Expert

No obligationGet personalised guidance.

FAQs

What is a Family Investment Company?

Recognised by HMRC, a Family Investment Company is a standard way of preserving family assets for future generations whilst mitigating any tax. As a special type of subsidiary or standalone company, this gives you the power to invest your company profits and surplus cash in property, stocks, and/or many other asset classes. An Family Investment Company has a high street bank account, similar to your current business account, and from this account you then control how the money is invested.

Who controls a Family Investment Company?

A Family Investment Company allows you, the company director, to maintain full control. All decisions and control of the company are managed by you — for example, paying dividends. Other members are not decision makers 

How is a Family Investment Company taxed?

FICs are taxed at the corporate tax rate on their profits, including income from investments such as interest, rent, and dividends. The UK Corporation Tax rate is 25% (as of 2026). When dividends are paid out to shareholders, they are subject to dividend Income Tax at the personal level, but this can be planned carefully to reduce the overall family tax burden. 

What assets can a Family Investment Company hold?

FICs allow families to invest in a wide range of assets — for example, stocks and shares, loans, gold, property, and more — with corporate tax rates applied to the profits.  

How does a FIC help reduce Inheritance Tax?

FICs can be structured to reduce the founder's personal estate over time. By gifting shares to family members, founders can benefit from IHT exemptions over a period of 7 years, at which point the liability does not exist.  

How does a FIC protect Business Property Relief on a trading company?

If HMRC rules are breached by your trading company — either by investing funds or simply holding profits within it — you are at risk of losing Business Property Relief (BPR), as HMRC will deem your trading company an investment company. IHT will be due on the assets and shares held, resulting in a 40% tax liability. This can be mitigated by using a Family Investment Company instead.  

How does a FIC differ from a traditional trust?

Whilst both FICs and trusts are used for wealth management and succession planning, Family Investment Companies allow founders to retain more direct control over assets compared to trusts. FICs also offer more flexibility in terms of share structure and control, whilst trusts have set rules and limitations.

Can a Family Investment Company be combined with other tax planning structures?

A Family Investment Company can be combined with a Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS) — a corporate pension scheme exclusively available to UK company directors. This combination is called a Lifetime Business Tax Plan, which aligns your business, wealth, investments, and financial situation to achieve ultimate tax efficiency whilst protecting and growing your wealth for generations to come.

What is a Family Investment Company?

Recognised by HMRC, a Family Investment Company is a standard way of preserving family assets for future generations whilst mitigating any tax. As a special type of subsidiary or standalone company, this gives you the power to invest your company profits and surplus cash in property, stocks, and/or many other asset classes. An Family Investment Company has a high street bank account, similar to your current business account, and from this account you then control how the money is invested.

How does a FIC support succession planning?

Shares in a FIC can be passed on to heirs without the timescales, worries, and costs of probate, simplifying the inheritance process. FICs offer a vehicle for transferring wealth across generations, ensuring long-term financial security for the family.  

More FAQs

hubspot hero images (25) (1)
SSAS FAQs

Click here

hubspot hero images (24) (1)
LBTP FAQs

Click here

5 stars

We get 5 stars from our Clients.

Business owners consistently rate us for our expertise, clarity, and genuinely supportive service.

Want your questions answered by our expert SSAS and investment consultants?

Book your free, 15 minute no obligation call to find out more!

Book now