Gold & Tax

Gold and Trusts

Physical gold can be held in trust like any other asset, and some of its tax features carry through in useful ways.

Last reviewed September 2026

Why families use trusts for gold

A trust lets you set wealth aside for children or grandchildren while keeping control over when and how they receive it. Gold suits this structure: it needs no management, pays no income that would create annual tax administration, and a sealed, insured holding can sit untouched for the full life of the trust.

The CGT advantage carries through

Trustees normally face Capital Gains Tax on trust investments, at trust rates and with a reduced allowance. Britannias and Sovereigns are different: as sterling legal tender they are simply not chargeable assets, so growth inside the trust escapes CGT entirely. For a long-term trust, that is a meaningful simplification.

What still needs care

Inheritance Tax is the complicated part. Transfers into most trusts can trigger an immediate charge above the nil-rate band, and relevant property trusts face periodic and exit charges. None of this is unique to gold, but it means a trust holding gold should always be set up with a solicitor or tax adviser who knows the territory. Trustees should also arrange proper storage and insurance, and document the holding clearly.

Read more: Gold and inheritance · Gold for businesses

This page is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Trust taxation is complex and depends heavily on the trust type and individual circumstances. Please take professional advice before acting. The value of gold can go down as well as up.