Gepp Solicitors - Solicitors in Chelmsford, Essex

Marc is a Tax Partner of the firm and joint Head of the Private Client department with 25+ years’ experience of providing high quality tax advice to clients, whether corporate bodies or individuals.

Marc has been with the firm since 2015 and an Equity Partner since April 2024. He has helped advise many clients with their tax affairs.

He trained and qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser whilst working for one of the “Big 4” accountancy firms and has subsequently worked for Top 10 and Top 50 firms before coming to Gepp Solicitors.

Marc works closely with the solicitors in the Firm to ensure that solutions are provided in the most tax efficient manner whilst meeting the aim and wishes of the client. He is adept at breaking complicated tax laws down into understandable language and provides clear advice that meets our clients’ needs.

Marc is very keen to ensure that clients don’t undertake planning purely to save tax if it impacts other areas, also known as not letting the tax-tail wag the dog. A good example of this is not giving away your home to a child as this can have serious repercussions if they were to divorce or go bankrupt.

Due to the experience garnered over his career to date, Marc is able to advise on many aspects of taxation including, complex Capital Gains and Inheritance Tax Planning, Trusts and Stamp Duty Land Tax advice.

He is able to guide clients through mitigating their tax liabilities with careful planning and without the use of tax avoidance schemes. Marc has also advised many clients on their existing Family Protection Trusts and Family Probate Preservation Trusts.

Specialisms

IHT is a tax that more and more people need to consider, particularly as house prices have increased so much in recent years. Planning can help avoid high tax charges on death and help to keep assets within the family.

Marc has provided effective planning for families to ensure that they maintain as much of their wealth as possible for their children and grandchildren.

Marc can advise on the following:

  • Gifting during lifetime
  • The use of trusts to pass assets out of the estate

Marc advises on using trusts as a tax-efficient way to protect family wealth and his experience covers a wide range of tax structures. Along with setting up trusts, Marc’s services include managing trusts (including compliance), tax implications during the lifetime of the trust, advice for trust beneficiaries and resolving trust disputes. Marc is increasingly asked to advise on issues with Family Protection Trusts and Family Probate Preservation Trusts that have been set up by other firms.

Trusts can be a useful tool to protect assets for various reasons. They can be effective to help family members that may need assistance and retain control of gifted assets in certain situations.

Marc can advise on the application of trusts for disabled or vulnerable beneficiaries.

Marc has a wealth of experience in advising on various CGT issues including the CGT implications of:

  • The disposal of properties, including preparation of the 60-day CGT on UK property return and advice on relevant claims that can be made, such as Private Residence Relief
  • Gifts, including the setting up of Trusts and gifts to family members, including advising on the application of CGT reliefs, including gift relief
  • Disposals during the administration of Trusts and Estates
  • Aspects involving businesses including the application of Business Assets Disposal Relief when disposing of business assets, or rollover/holdover relief claims when applicable

The rates of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) are now so high that they are often an important part of a transaction. As well as advising on general SDLT rules, Marc has specialist knowledge of complex residential property transactions and aspects relating to commercial properties.

Marc has advised client in relation to claims for repayment of overpaid SDLT, including those with incorrectly paid additional property surcharge and uninhabitable property claims.

Most family run businesses will want to pass down the generations. If there is a partnership or limited company, there are certain aspects that need to be considered in advance of stepping down or away from the business.

Marc can help you to prepare for the process to ensure it is as tax efficient as possible.

As a business owner there can be uncertainty whether the part of the business owned by a client is subject to IHT on gifts or death. Business Property Relief (BPR) can be a valuable relief for business owners as it can exempt up to 100% of the value of the business from IHT.

It isn’t always clear cut if a business will benefit from the relief due to legislation and a review can be required to highlight any issues and provide clarity.

Marc can undertake BPR reviews to provide certainty and as part of wider tax planning.

Memberships

  • Member of the Chartered Institute of Tax (CIOT)
  • Member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT)
  • ACCA Certificate in Business Valuations

Case Studies

  • Mrs Reynolds was advised by a law firm that, following the death of her husband, she should put her home into a trust to protect it from care fees and to secure the value for her children after her death. She was advised to appoint the law firm as her co-trustees and also sole executor of her estate. The client was not advised of the potential issues of giving away her home or the impact on the availability of the residence nil rate band for IHT. Marc explained the implications and helped to unwind the trust and put her home back into her own name and control. This created a favourable tax position for her estate and allowed the family to benefit from a lower IHT rate on her death.
  • Mr and Mrs Skywalker came to see Marc as they had a rental property and their combined estate was taxable due mainly to the value of their main residence. They had an adult son that they wanted to inherit after their deaths but they needed the rental income to supplement their lifestyle. Marc was able to advise how to lower the value of their estate, and still retain the benefit of the rental income, using tax efficient trusts.

Related services

What clients are saying about Marc

“I cannot speak highly enough of Gepp and Marc Dorsett in particular. Marc brings expert judgement, balanced, patient and responsive client management, a knowledge and capacity to see through volume and complexity to the central issues, and to efficiently handle resolution.”

“On the basis of my experience, I would recommend this company and Marc Dorsett without hesitation and with complete confidence.”

“Great advice and service. Plain speaking and would recommend to anyone else needing tax advice. Thank you Marc.”

Related News

View all related news

Get in touch

If you want to find out more about the services we can offer you, please feel free to get in touch.

“Extremely professional, knowledgeable and friendly.”, “Easy to park and very friendly welcome”

Value for money

Portfolio Builder

Select the practice areas that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

Download    Add to portfolio   
Portfolio
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download


Click here to share this shortlist.
(It will expire after 30 days.)