Inheritance Tax
Inheritance Tax (IHT)
The IHT threshold is currently £325,000 (2021/2022) and many people are still getting caught in the trap of property inheritance tax as the threshold has not kept pace with the inflation of property prices, and so is affecting more and more people.
There is also an additional ‘main residence’ allowance which applies if a person’s home is given to their children (including adopted, foster or stepchildren) or grandchildren. This is set at £175,000 (2021/2022) and is added to the IHT threshold providing a total allowance of £500,000 (2021/2022).
When a relative dies and leaves an estate worth more than £325,000 (2021/2022) or £500,000 (2021/2022) if the ‘main residence’ allowance applies, families are required to pay tax on a proportion of the money and property left to them within six months. After that, they are charged interest at a rate of 2.6% (2021/2022).
However, there are ways to lessen the burden of property IHT.
When you die, it is likely that you would wish to leave as much as possible for your loved ones. Unfortunately this is often not as simple as you might believe. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will apply 40% tax to the value of your estate over and above that of the current threshold.
No IHT is applicable if the estate is being passed to a spouse, as the law sees your property as one estate together, unless there is a will stating otherwise, so nothing is being passed from one to another, it is merely no longer held jointly.
Your estate could include more than you originally realise. It is often easy to dismiss IHT as something that may not affect you as your property may not be over, or much over, the IHT threshold. However with all your other assets, such as investments, life cover, bank accounts, as well as physical property such as cars, furniture and family heirlooms, many estates are considerably over the threshold without the individuals being aware of it.
For assets passed between spouses and civil partners, the nil rate band allowance will pass along with the assets. This gives a couple available allowances (nil rate bands) of up to £650,000 (2021/2022), which increases to £1,000,000 (2021/2022) with the addition of the ‘main residence’ allowance detailed above.
With effect on and after 21 March 2012, if a person enters into arrangements through which they acquire an interest in excluded property such that the value of their estate is reduced, the reduction will be charged to IHT as if that person had transferred assets of that value directly to a relevant property trust.
The assets settled in the offshore trust will cease to be treated as excluded property and will instead become subject to the relevant property regime.
These provisions will also apply to existing schemes or arrangements entered into before 21 March 2012, but only in relation to periodic charges and exit charges that arise on or after that date.
For further information about the 2021 Budget changes please click here.
INFORMATION IS BASED ON OUR CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF TAXATION LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS. ANY LEVELS AND BASES OF, AND RELIEFS FROM TAXATION, ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY DOES NOT REGULATE INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING, TAXATION & TRUST ADVICE.
TAX TREATMENT IS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE.
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Sarah Back - Rainham
Upon reviewing our insurances we realised that we did not have any mortgage protection in place and engaged Alex to look at the options best suiting our particular needs. Alex explained the options with recommendations, and in particular obtained cover that would otherwise have been difficult or too expensive. We are now very confident that we have suitable and adequate protection in place that is not excessive but suits our current and future needs.
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Sam Colyer – Hempstead
I would have no hesitation at all in recommending Phil to provide high quality, detailed and innovative financial planning advice. He has advised me for a number of years now on a wide range of affairs and really invests the time to understand your position and objectives, and works to provide the best solution. Overall, a very impressive service.
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Tom Wiltshire – West Malling
I have been working with Phil now for around 14 years in his field as a Financial Advisor, until then I had only been given ad-hoc advice. It was encouraging finally to find someone with the expert knowledge that Phil has to work with in a proactive and personable relationship. Over the years I have been associated with Phil he has given me invaluable advice and together we are now managing a wide range of my financial requirements, from investments and Pensions through to social impact planning. I am pleased to recommend Phil for these reasons and above all for his integrity and professionalism.
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Julie Anderson – Maidstone
I first used Phil for a Will – that was in 1988! He has been a trusted and reliable source of knowledge that has since secured my future financial planning. I have a sound investment portfolio that has diversified my risk but also has been an exciting path to follow. Phil has helped me understand what areas I can invest in and taken decisions that I understand. He always speaks in a language I can understand and I feel I have a sound future when it comes to my financial planning.
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Cliff Hanson – Chislehurst
I realised I had a passive IFA and in view of my pending early retirement I needed to find a more ‘tuned-in’ IFA. Philip completely reorganised my investments and pensions which resulted in a boost to income and investment returns. I have been very satisfied with the outcome. Obviously Philip cannot control the direction of markets but he does extremely well in providing the protection on investments that suits me and my attitude to risk across a number of products
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Robert Humphries – Bordeaux, France
Phil gave me excellent advice. He advised me on what plans best suited my circumstances and retirement plans. He explained the schemes in details without any pressure. The old schemes have now been transferred without any problems
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