After we’ve spent our entire lives working and saving, it’s pure to wish to move as a lot of that on to our family members once we depart this world. Maybe a very powerful tax to concentrate on on this regard is inheritance tax.

Inheritance tax is a tax on the property (consisting of cash, property, and possessions) of somebody who has handed away. The quantity of inheritance tax due will depend on the worth of the property, in addition to any presents or trusts which may be within the image.

Inheritance tax threshold

The present threshold for inheritance tax is £325,000. Because of this the primary £325,000 of an property just isn’t topic to inheritance tax. This is called the “nil-rate band”. Something above this quantity is taxed at a charge of 40%

There are some exceptions and extra guidelines to contemplate:

Essential residence nil-rate band

Since 2017, an extra nil-rate band has been launched for the principle residence of the deceased particular person. 

That is referred to as the “most important residence nil-rate band” and is at the moment £175,000. Because of this if an individual’s property features a most important residence that’s left to a direct descendant (corresponding to a baby or grandchild), they are going to obtain an extra £175,000 threshold on high of the usual £325,000.

Transferable nil-rate band

Married {couples} and civil companions can move their unused nil-rate band to their accomplice after they die. Because of this the surviving accomplice can have a complete nil-rate band of as much as £650,000 (together with the principle residence nil-rate band) in the event that they inherit their accomplice’s unused allowance.

Lifetime presents

Any presents made by the deceased particular person within the seven years previous to their demise could also be topic to inheritance tax. There’s an annual reward allowance of £3,000, which implies that presents of as much as £3,000 might be made annually with out incurring inheritance tax. Moreover, small presents of as much as £250 might be made to any variety of folks annually with out incurring inheritance tax.

Trusts

Trusts can be utilized to cut back the worth of an property for inheritance tax functions. Nonetheless, there are strict guidelines round trusts and they are often difficult. In consequence, it’s undoubtedly advisable to hunt skilled recommendation earlier than organising a belief.

Exemptions

It’s additionally value noting that there are specific property which might be exempt from inheritance tax. These embody:

• Belongings left to a partner or civil accomplice
• Belongings left to a charity
• Belongings left to a group newbie sports activities membership
• Private belongings with a worth of lower than £6,000
• Some enterprise property

Clearly, there’s rather a lot to contemplate relating to optimising your inheritance from a tax perspective. 

It’s vital to plan forward and search skilled recommendation from inheritance tax solicitors if you’re involved about inheritance tax, or wish to plan your will. 

There are a variety of methods that can be utilized to minimise the quantity of tax due, corresponding to making presents, organising trusts, or leaving property to exempt beneficiaries.