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Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a UK tax charged on the estate (the total value of money, possessions, and property) of a person who has died. It is paid from the estate before assets are distributed to beneficiaries. For 2024/25, IHT is charged at 40% on the taxable estate above the nil-rate band (NRB) of £325,000 — a threshold that has been frozen until at least 2028. On top of the NRB, a Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB) of £175,000 applies when a main home or its value is passed to direct descendants (children, grandchildren, stepchildren). This means a single individual can pass up to £500,000 free of IHT if they leave their home to direct descendants. For married couples and civil partners, both the NRB and RNRB are transferable to the surviving spouse, meaning that as a couple you can jointly pass up to £1,000,000 free of IHT. The RNRB is tapered for estates over £2 million — reduced by £1 for every £2 above this threshold. A reduced IHT rate of 36% applies when at least 10% of the net estate is left to registered charities. The 7-year rule means that gifts made more than 7 years before death are completely exempt from IHT. Gifts made within 7 years attract taper relief on a sliding scale (100% tax on gifts within 3 years, reducing to 20% tax on gifts made between 6 and 7 years before death). Annual gift allowances, small gift exemptions, and exemptions for wedding gifts also apply.
IHT = max(0, (Estate − NRB − RNRB − Exemptions) × 40%). Reduced rate: 36% if charitable bequest ≥ 10% of net estate. Taper relief on gifts: tax reduced by 20%–80% depending on years before death (3–7 year scale).
- 1Add up the total value of all assets in the estate: property, savings, investments, businesses, vehicles, and personal possessions
- 2Deduct allowable debts and liabilities: mortgages, outstanding loans, funeral costs
- 3Subtract the Nil-Rate Band (£325,000) — or up to £650,000 if the deceased's spouse or civil partner did not use their NRB
- 4Subtract the Residence Nil-Rate Band (£175,000) if a main home is left to direct descendants — up to £350,000 combined for a couple
- 5Add back any chargeable gifts made within 7 years before death (using the 7-year rule and taper relief)
- 6Apply the 40% IHT rate to the remaining taxable estate; use 36% if at least 10% of the net estate is donated to charity
- 7IHT must be paid within 6 months of death; instalments over 10 years are permitted for illiquid assets like property
£500,000 − £325,000 NRB = £175,000 taxable; £175,000 × 40% = £70,000
Without a property or charitable gifts, only the standard NRB applies. The RNRB is not available as no qualifying home is being passed to descendants.
£700,000 − £325,000 NRB − £175,000 RNRB = £200,000 taxable; × 40% = £80,000
Both the NRB and RNRB are available. The full £500,000 combined allowance reduces the taxable estate to £200,000.
£950,000 − £650,000 NRB − £350,000 RNRB = −£50,000 (no IHT)
A couple's combined NRBs and RNRBs total £1,000,000. This estate falls below that combined threshold so no IHT is due.
Net estate after charity: £1,350,000; taxable: £1,025,000; 36% rate: £369,000. Without charity bequest: £470,000 at 40%
Leaving 10% to charity reduces IHT by 4 percentage points (40% → 36%), saving the estate £41,000 while giving £150,000 to charity.
Estimating IHT liability for estate planning and will preparation, representing an important application area for the Uk Inheritance Tax in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk inheritance tax calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Evaluating the benefit of making lifetime gifts to reduce the taxable estate, representing an important application area for the Uk Inheritance Tax in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk inheritance tax calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Deciding whether to leave assets to charity to qualify for the 36% reduced IHT rate, representing an important application area for the Uk Inheritance Tax in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk inheritance tax calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Calculating whether Business Property Relief shields business assets from IHT, representing an important application area for the Uk Inheritance Tax in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk inheritance tax calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Planning the transfer of family homes to children using the Residence Nil-Rate Band, representing an important application area for the Uk Inheritance Tax in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk inheritance tax calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Business Property Relief (BPR)
In the Uk Inheritance Tax, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk inheritance tax results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk inheritance tax calculations fall into non-standard territory.
Regular Gifts from Income
{'title': 'Regular Gifts from Income', 'body': "Gifts that form part of normal expenditure from surplus income (not capital) are fully exempt from IHT with no seven-year waiting period. These must be habitual, made from regular income, and must not reduce the donor's standard of living."}. In the Uk Inheritance Tax, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk inheritance tax results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk inheritance tax calculations fall into non-standard territory.
Discretionary Trusts
In the Uk Inheritance Tax, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk inheritance tax results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk inheritance tax calculations fall into non-standard territory.
Overseas Assets and Domicile
In the Uk Inheritance Tax, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk inheritance tax results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk inheritance tax calculations fall into non-standard territory.
Pension Changes from 2027
In the Uk Inheritance Tax, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk inheritance tax results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk inheritance tax calculations fall into non-standard territory.
| Allowance | Amount | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Nil-Rate Band (NRB) | £325,000 | Available to all estates |
| Residence NRB (RNRB) | £175,000 | Home passed to direct descendants |
| Transferable NRB (couple) | Up to £650,000 | Both NRBs combined |
| Transferable RNRB (couple) | Up to £350,000 | Both RNRBs combined |
| Maximum combined (couple) | £1,000,000 | NRB + RNRB × 2 |
| RNRB taper | Reduces above £2M | £1 per £2 over £2M estate |
| Standard IHT rate | 40% | On taxable estate |
| Charitable giving rate | 36% | If 10%+ to registered charities |
What is the nil-rate band?
The nil-rate band (NRB) is £325,000 — the threshold below which no IHT is charged. It has been frozen at this level since 2009 and is currently frozen until at least 2028, bringing more estates into IHT scope through house price inflation. This is particularly important in the context of uk inheritance tax calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk inheritance tax computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
What is the Residence Nil-Rate Band?
The RNRB is an additional £175,000 allowance available when a main home or equivalent assets are left to direct descendants (children, grandchildren, stepchildren, adopted children). It is tapered away for estates over £2 million. This is particularly important in the context of uk inheritance tax calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk inheritance tax computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
What gifts are exempt from IHT?
Key exemptions include: annual gift allowance of £3,000 per person per year (can carry forward one year), small gifts of up to £250 per recipient, wedding gifts (£5,000 to a child, £2,500 to grandchild, £1,000 to others), and regular gifts from surplus income. This is particularly important in the context of uk inheritance tax calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk inheritance tax computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
How does the 7-year rule work?
Gifts made more than 7 years before death are fully exempt from IHT. Gifts made within 7 years are potentially exempt transfers (PETs). If the donor dies within 7 years, taper relief reduces the IHT charge: gifts 3–4 years before death pay 80% of the IHT due; 4–5 years 60%; 5–6 years 40%; 6–7 years 20%.
Does a spouse inherit free of IHT?
Yes. All assets passing between UK-domiciled spouses or civil partners are exempt from IHT. The deceased spouse's unused NRB and RNRB are also fully transferable to the survivor, effectively doubling the combined IHT-free allowance. This is particularly important in the context of uk inheritance tax calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk inheritance tax computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
When must IHT be paid?
IHT is due 6 months from the end of the month in which death occurred. Interest is charged on late payments. However, IHT on property can be paid in annual instalments over 10 years. This is particularly important in the context of uk inheritance tax calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk inheritance tax computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
Is a pension included in an estate for IHT?
Currently, defined contribution pension pots are generally outside the estate for IHT purposes. However, from April 2027 the government plans to bring unused pension pots into the scope of IHT — a significant change for estate planning. This is particularly important in the context of uk inheritance tax calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk inheritance tax computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
What business reliefs reduce IHT?
Business Property Relief (BPR) provides 100% IHT relief on certain qualifying business assets, including shares in unquoted trading companies and interests in a business partnership. Agricultural Property Relief (APR) provides similar relief for agricultural land and buildings. This is particularly important in the context of uk inheritance tax calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk inheritance tax computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
Pro Tip
Consider making gifts from surplus income — documented with a simple letter each time — rather than gifts from capital. Income gifts avoid the 7-year clock entirely and can substantially reduce your estate over time.
Did you know?
Inheritance Tax is often called 'the voluntary tax' by estate planners because so many legal ways exist to reduce it. In 2022/23, only around 4.4% of UK deaths resulted in an IHT bill — yet it raised £7.1 billion for the Treasury.