This paper describes how the system of life office taxation in the U.K. impinges on the amount and the emergence of life assurance business profit. It considers how to allow for taxation in the assessment of product profitability and company valuation. Finally, the paper provides a brief overview of the methods of taxation of alternative savings products and of tax systems in the European Community, with a view to drawing conclusions as to possible future changes to the framework of life taxation in the U.K.