Inheritance Tax is paid on the value of a person’s estate when they die. “Estate” includes property, money, personal possessions and business assets. The tax is calculated on the value of the estate once all of the asset values have been established and liabilities have been deducted.

Our specialist solicitors can offer advice and guidance on planning options to reduce your inheritance tax position.

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Not everyone pays Inheritance Tax and since the introduction of the transferable nil rate band (for married couples and civil partners), the amount of people falling within the Inheritance Tax net has reduced.

Who pays inheritance tax?

Inheritance Tax is only payable if the taxable value of your estate (including your share of any joint assets) when you die is in excess of a threshold at which it becomes payable. It is payable at a rate of 40% of the value over this limit.

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The threshold at which tax becomes payable is known as the “nil rate band”. The threshold is currently £325,000.

There are a number of exemptions which allow amounts to be passed on death without Inheritance Tax being due, for example:

Transfers between spouses/registered civil partners, if domiciled in the UK, are fully exempt, whatever the value
Most gifts made over seven years ago

Certain gifts on death, i.e. charitable
Additionally certain types of asset may attract favourable Inheritance Tax treatment.

Business Property Relief

Business Property Relief can provide a percentage reduction in the net value of relevant business property for inheritance tax purposes.

Agricultural Property Relief

Agricultural Property Relief is a relief from Inheritance Tax.

What is the transferable nil rate band?

The transferable nil rate band potentially increases the amount of the estate which may pass free of Inheritance Tax. It arises when one party to a marriage or civil partnership dies and the amount of their estate chargeable to Inheritance Tax does not use up all of the nil rate band. Where this happens, the unused proportion can be transferred to the surviving spouse or civil partner who dies.

As transfers between spouses/civil partners are exempt from Inheritance Tax if, for example, a husband leaves everything to his wife on his death, he will not have used any of his nil rate band (assuming that he has not made any chargeable lifetime gifts). Therefore 100% of the nil rate band can be transferred to the wife’s estate on her death so she will therefore have her own nil rate band doubled by inheriting her husband’s.

Who pays the tax?

In the majority of cases the personal representatives of the estate pay the Inheritance Tax from the estate. The personal representatives are either the executors of the will or if there is no will, the Administrator who is appointed by the Court when Letters of Administration are granted.

When is the tax payable by?

Inheritance Tax must be paid within six months from the end of the month in which the death occurs otherwise interest is generally charged on the amount outstanding. Inheritance Tax on some assets, i.e. real property, can be paid in instalments over a period of ten years.