Home
Insights
Knowledge Hub

Wealth Structuring Tax Triggers for GCC Clients

Wealth Structuring Tax Triggers for GCC Clients

Richard Jordan, Partner at Trowers & Hamlin, joined Danielle McIver, Chief Product Officer at The Family Office, to discuss the tax implications facing GCC families when structuring their assets locally and internationally.

The conversation explores common tax triggers linked to residency, citizenship, and asset location, and highlights how practical strategies such as co-ownership and Sharia-compliant financing support effective wealth and succession planning.

May 29, 2025Offshore Structures- 3 min
hero

Below are the highlights of the webinar:

  • GCC clients can underestimate tax exposure when setting up structures, overlooking key triggers such as UK tax residency, claims from jurisdictions like France based on habitual residence, and the presence of US citizens within the family, which can complicate distributions and generate unexpected liabilities.

  • Asset location can play a major role in tax implications, as placing UK, US, or French assets into structures can create significant liabilities, especially since civil law jurisdictions like France do not recognize trusts, and UK property transfers can trigger various taxes.

  • UK residential property structures have evolved, with older company-held setups now penalized under current laws; today, co-ownership among family members or Wills can be a more tax-efficient approach.

  • Succession planning for property depends on how ownership is structured, with joint tenancy enabling automatic transfer to surviving owners and bypassing probate. While tenancy in common requires a will and a formal probate process, each option has different implications in common law versus civil law jurisdictions.

  • US citizenship among beneficiaries adds complexity but does not prevent structuring, as long as the US-connected individual is not the settlor. Solutions like grantor trusts or adjusted foundations can be tailored to comply with US tax rules.

  • Clients seeking control over structures must tread carefully to avoid tax residency issues, particularly in the UAE and KSA, where sitting on boards of offshore companies managed locally can unintentionally trigger local corporate tax exposure.

  • Private trust companies and foundations can help balance control with compliance, by allowing families to influence governance without directly holding board positions that might create tax obligations under substance rules.

  • The overarching message is clear: take tax advice early and review regularly, as even well-established structures may contain hidden risks, and evolving global and regional tax frameworks demand continuous reassessment.

Watch the full webinar for deeper insights into the tax considerations and structuring strategies that can help protect and transfer your wealth across generations.

Are you seeking private market opportunities?

Join our digital investment platform for exclusive
private market opportunities

Create an account

About The Family Office

Since 2004, The Family Office has been the wealth manager of choice for more than 800 families and individuals, helping them preserve and grow their wealth through customized solutions in diversified alternatives and more. Schedule a call with our financial experts and learn more about our wealth management process.


Keep reading