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Inheritance Tax Planning: All You Need to Know

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Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the UK is a tax on the estate like (property, money, and possessions) of someone who has passed away. The tax is applicable if the estate’s value exceeds a certain threshold. 

This tax, currently at 40%, is charged on the value of an estate above the nil-rate band, or inheritance tax-free threshold. 

While Inheritance Tax can place a significant burden on families, it easily prevents or lowers the chances to a minimum through proper planning. 

Proper IHT strategic preparation can ensure that your loved ones retain as much of your legacy as possible while staying within legal boundaries.

Inheritance Tax Planning All You Need to Know

Understanding Inheritance Tax Basics

Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the UK is paid at a rate of 40% on estates valued over £325,000, known as the “nil-rate band.” Estates valued at £325,000 or less are exempt from IHT. 

For estates exceeding this threshold, the tax is applied to the amount above £325,000. Reliefs like the Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB) can help lower IHT liability, especially for homes left to direct descendants.

Married couples and civil partners can also transfer any unused nil-rate band to their surviving partner, effectively doubling the tax-free allowance to £650,000. 

Additionally, exemptions exist for business and agricultural properties, which further reduces the overall IHT liability.

These reliefs help individuals plan their estates more effectively, ensuring that more assets go to beneficiaries while reducing tax obligations. This strategic approach helps preserve wealth for future generations.

Why Inheritance Tax Planning is Important

  • Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning helps families preserve wealth and avoid the 40% tax on estates exceeding the £325,000 threshold.
  • Without planning, families may face large, unexpected tax bills that could force asset sales, affecting financial stability and causing stress.
  • Proactive IHT strategies—such as using gift allowances, trusts, and charitable donations—can significantly reduce tax liabilities.
  • Couples benefit from a transferable nil-rate band, and business or agricultural assets may qualify for additional tax reliefs.

Common Inheritance Tax Planning Strategies

Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning offers several strategies that can help reduce or eliminate potential tax liabilities, allowing individuals to leave more wealth to their beneficiaries. Here are some commonly used approaches to mitigate IHT:

Gifting

Gifting allows individuals to reduce their estate’s taxable value over time. Annual gifts up to £3,000 per person are exempt from IHT, along with small gifts of £250 to any number of individuals.

Trusts

Trusts allow assets to be transferred out of an estate, which can reduce IHT while giving the settlor control over distribution.

Discretionary trusts, for example, let trustees decide on distribution to beneficiaries, while life interest trusts provide income to one beneficiary with capital passing to another later. Some trusts incur periodic charges, but they can still effectively reduce IHT on a sizable portion of the estate.

Life Insurance

Setting up life insurance specifically to cover IHT liabilities is another approach, providing beneficiaries with a tax-free source to pay IHT without liquidating assets. When a life insurance policy is written in trust, it’s outside the estate and therefore free from IHT, making it a helpful way to cover tax obligations on high-value estates.

Business and Agricultural Reliefs

Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR) offer substantial IHT savings for individuals with qualifying business or farming assets. 

BPR reduces tax on business assets by 50% or 100%, while APR does the same for agricultural assets, encouraging families to continue ownership without the burden of high IHT.

Charitable Donations

Donating to registered charities can reduce the taxable value of an estate. Moreover, donating 10% or more of the estate reduces the IHT rate from 40% to 36%, enabling individuals to support charitable causes and reduce their IHT burden.

Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB)

RNRB allows estates to pass on a family home to direct descendants with an additional tax-free allowance of £175,000. This amount, when combined with the £325,000 standard nil-rate band, raises the tax-free threshold to £500,000 for individuals. 

Couples can transfer unused RNRB, allowing up to £1 million to pass IHT-free to children or grandchildren

When do you pay Inheritance Tax?

Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the UK is payable when an estate’s value exceeds the £325,000 tax-free threshold, known as the nil-rate band, with any amount over this threshold taxed at 40%. 

Generally, IHT must be paid within six months of the individual’s death, after which HMRC may apply interest.

If the estate includes certain assets like property or shares, payment can be spread over ten years. Additionally, gifts given within seven years of death may also attract IHT, with taper relief potentially reducing the tax owed depending on the timing of the gift in relation to the individual’s death.

The Role of an Accountant in IHT Planning

  • Guidance on Estate Valuation and Account Preparation: A skilled accountant can provide invaluable support in preparing accounts that accurately reflect the estate’s value, ensuring clients have a clear understanding of their IHT liabilities. By organising and structuring accounts efficiently, they can identify potential tax-saving opportunities early on and help families plan strategically for wealth preservation.
  • Identifying IHT Needs and Planning Opportunities: Accountants play a critical role in identifying the potential impact of IHT on their clients’ estates. Through detailed financial analysis, they can highlight the need for proactive planning and recommend effective tax mitigation strategies, such as gifting, trusts, or asset structuring, tailored to the client’s unique circumstances.
  • Connecting Clients with Trusted Financial Advisors: Accountants often act as a bridge to specialised financial advisors who can develop customised IHT solutions. By connecting clients with trusted advisors in fields like wealth management and estate planning, they ensure a comprehensive approach to IHT planning that aligns with clients’ long-term goals and family priorities.

Common Misconceptions about Inheritance Tax

  • IHT Only Affects the Wealthy: Rising property values mean even modest estates may face IHT.
  • All Gifts Are Tax-Free: Large gifts given within seven years of death may still incur IHT.
  • Only Applies to Family: IHT impacts the entire estate, regardless of who inherits it.
  • Having a Will Means No IHT: A will directs distribution but doesn’t eliminate IHT obligations.
  • Business and Agricultural Assets Are Fully Exempt: Not all assets qualify; specific rules apply.
  • Married Couples Don’t Need Planning: Transferring allowances helps, but planning maximises reliefs.
  • Life Insurance Is Exempt: Unless in a trust, life insurance payouts may be part of the taxable estate.

Inheritance Tax reliefs

Agricultural Property Relief (APR)

Agricultural Property Relief (APR) offers up to 100% IHT relief on qualifying agricultural assets, such as farmland and buildings. This relief protects family-held farms and agricultural businesses, ensuring their continuity for future generations.

Business Property Relief (BPR)

Business Property Relief (BPR) provides up to 100% relief on certain business assets, including shares in qualifying businesses. By reducing the tax burden on inherited business assets, BPR supports the sustainability of family-owned enterprises, helping them thrive across generations.

Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB)

The Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB) is an additional tax-free allowance for passing a family home to direct descendants, like children or grandchildren. Currently, the RNRB allows for an extra £175,000 per person, enabling married couples to transfer up to £1 million tax-free, enhancing the wealth passed to heirs.

Charitable Donations

Making charitable donations in a will can reduce the IHT rate on the remaining estate from 40% to 36%. This strategy promotes philanthropy while lowering the overall tax liability, benefiting both charitable organisations and the family estate.

How Heighten Accountants Can Help Simplify Your Inheritance Tax Planning

At Heighten Accountants, we understand that Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning can feel overwhelming, but with expert guidance, you can create a tax-efficient plan that protects your family’s financial future. We partner with Equity & General, an independent financial advisor, to bring seamless, comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services directly to our clients. 

This collaboration allows us to identify tax-saving opportunities and develop tailored IHT strategies that meet your unique needs.

To make financial planning even more accessible, we offer a Free Financial Health Check for our clients. This independent review of your personal finances provides a clear overview of your financial situation and presents new savings and investment options to help grow your wealth. 

Take advantage of this opportunity to secure your financial future by booking your free review today: Get a Free Financial Health Check!

Please fill the form below so our team can contact you to schedule your call:

Conclusion

Effective Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning is essential to protect the assets you’ve worked hard to build and to ensure a smooth transfer to your beneficiaries. Early planning can reduce tax burdens and secure your financial legacy, bringing peace of mind. With professional guidance, you’ll gain tailored insights and strategies that suit your personal and family needs. 

Book your Complimentary Financial Health Check with our expert advisors to simplify IHT planning and protect your legacy for future generations.

FAQs 

Inheritance Tax is a tax on the estate (property, money, and possessions) of someone who has died. The current rate is 40% on estates valued over £325,000.

The executor or administrator of the estate is responsible for paying any Inheritance Tax owed before distributing the estate to beneficiaries.

Yes, certain exemptions exist, such as the nil-rate band, gifts to spouses or civil partners, and donations to charities, which can reduce the taxable estate.

Strategies such as gifting, setting up trusts, and taking advantage of reliefs for businesses or agricultural assets can significantly reduce your IHT liability.

The RNRB is an additional threshold for Inheritance Tax that applies when a family home is passed to direct descendants, increasing the amount that can be inherited tax-free.

Inheritance Tax must be paid within six months of the end of the month in which the person died, or interest will be charged on any unpaid tax.

Our team can provide expert guidance on IHT regulations, help you implement effective strategies to reduce your tax liability, and ensure your estate is managed efficiently to protect your legacy.

If your estate exceeds the threshold of £325,000, it may be subject to Inheritance Tax at a rate of 40% on the value above this threshold. However, reliefs and exemptions may apply to reduce the overall tax liability.

Yes, you can make gifts during your lifetime, but certain rules apply. Gifts are exempt from Inheritance Tax up to £3,000 per year, and additional exemptions exist for wedding gifts and small gifts to individuals.

Married couples or civil partners can combine their nil-rate bands, effectively increasing the threshold for Inheritance Tax to £650,000. This means that the surviving spouse can inherit the unused threshold of the deceased spouse.

Yes, all assets that form part of your estate must be declared for Inheritance Tax purposes, including property, investments, savings, and personal belongings. Certain assets may qualify for reliefs, reducing the taxable amount.

To ensure your wishes are followed, consider creating a legally binding will that outlines how you want your estate to be distributed. Working with an accountant or solicitor can help ensure your will is compliant with legal requirements and tax implications

Nadeem Iqbal

About Nadeem Iqbal

As CEO, Nadeem’s goal is to inspire others to create a business that gives them the freedom to put their life and family first, and to make a positive difference in the world. This is what Heighten was built for.

He is passionate about bringing innovation to the accounting profession, and it means the world to him when clients put their life balance first – so they can spend time with their family. In fact, in-house clients are not called ‘clients’ – they are affectionately known as the Heighten Family.