Introduction to Inheritance Tax
Inheritance tax is a levy imposed on the assets left behind by a deceased individual, encompassing properties, money, and possessions. The government has kept the prevailing inheritance tax threshold, known as the nil rate band, at £325,000 unchanged since the 2009/10 fiscal year. The government’s decision to maintain this threshold remains in effect until 2025/26. When the estate’s value exceeds £325,000, a tax rate of 40% is typically applied to the excess amount.
Variances in Inheritance Tax
The inheritance tax rate and threshold can fluctuate based on individual circumstances, offering various avenues for individuals to mitigate or potentially avoid this tax.
Complex Nature of Inheritance Tax
Inheritance tax (IHT) can be intricate and demanding to navigate. For individuals with assets surpassing IHT thresholds or those anticipating this situation in the future, it is advisable to seek professional guidance. With skyrocketing property values, particularly in Southern England, a single property could effortlessly push one over the IHT threshold, and this is even more likely for landlords. The longer one procrastinates, the less time they have for strategic planning.
Inheritance Tax Thresholds
Nil Rate Band
The Nil Rate Band: £0 – £325,000
Residence Nil Rate Band
Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB): This additional threshold is applicable when a residence is bequeathed to a direct descendant, such as children or grandchildren. The RNRB is calculated as the lower of the deceased’s share of the residence’s value or £175,000. If the estate surpasses £2 million, the RNRB diminishes by £1 for every £2 over this threshold. This supplementary threshold supplements the standard nil rate band and is only applicable upon death.
Giving to Charity
When over 10% of the estate is donated to charity, the 40% tax rate is reduced to 36%.
Inheritance Tax and Gifts
Potentially Exempt Transfers (PET) and Gifts
Generally, no inheritance tax is levied when gifting one’s home and residing elsewhere for seven years. However, if the donor continues living in the property, they must pay market rent to the new owner at the prevailing rate, share in bills, and reside there for at least seven years. Rent is not obligatory if only a portion of the property is gifted, and the new owners also reside there. In case of death within seven years of making lifetime gifts exceeding the annual exemption and the nil rate band of £325,000, inheritance tax may be applicable. Gifts made within three to seven years before death are subject to a sliding-scale tax known as “taper relief.”
Years between Gift and Death / Tax Paid:
Less than 3 years: 40%
3 to 4 years: 32%
4 to 5 years: 24%
5 to 6 years: 16%
6 to 7 years: 8%
7 or more years: 0%
Lifetime transfers consume the nil rate band before legacies in a will, so taper relief is only relevant if lifetime gifts exceed £325,000.
Gifts exceeding £325,000 given within seven years before one’s death incur inheritance tax.
Many lifetime transfers are classified as potentially exempt transfers, becoming exempt from inheritance tax after seven years. However, transfers to a trust are typically chargeable transfers if they collectively surpass £325,000.
Exempt and Small Gifts
Small gifts, such as those under £250 per individual per year (e.g., Christmas or birthday presents), are not subject to inheritance tax. One can also provide a total of £3,000 in each tax year, with the option to carry forward any unused allowance from the previous year. Exemptions for wedding gifts (ranging from £1,000 to £5,000, depending on one’s relationship to the couple) and regular gifts from surplus income after deducting all expenses, including taxes and holidays, are termed “exempt gifts.”
Gifts can take various forms, including money, property, possessions, or the difference in value when transferring something (e.g., selling a house to a child for less than its market value).
Spouse and Civil Partner Exemptions
All property transfers directly to a spouse or civil partner are entirely exempt from inheritance tax, except when the spouse or civil partner is not domiciled in the UK. This exemption covers both transfers at death and during one’s lifetime. Different rules apply if the spouse or civil partner is not domiciled in the UK, with the exemption limited to the nil rate band.
Other Exemptions
Other exemptions include transfers to a non-UK domiciled spouse or civil partner within the nil rate band, general or lifetime exemption transfers, transfers not increasing the transferee’s estate’s value, transfers caused by alterations to share capital, loan capital, or other rights in most private companies, transfers of value to a disabled trust that do not involve property transfers, and gifts to charities or political parties.
