The IHT threshold is currently £325,000 (2023/2024) 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 (2023/2024) and is added to the IHT threshold providing a total allowance of £500,000 (2023/2024).
When a relative dies and leaves an estate worth more than £325,000 (2023/2024) or £500,000 (2023/2024) 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 6.5% (2023/2024).
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 (2023/2024), which increases to £1,000,000 (2023/2024) 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 2023 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 & TRUST ADVICE.
THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY DOES NOT REGULATE SOME FORMS OF TAXATION.
TAX TREATMENT IS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE.
“Fantastic financial guidance again by John. His assistance has proved invaluable in our house move. The clerical support was also great and nothing was too much trouble.”
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“John has handled all of our most important financial matters over many years and is a trusted friend. He always gives the most appropriate advice to match each given situation rather than just what someone may wish to hear.”
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"We remain eternally grateful for the very valuable, sound advice and help you gave to us during one of the most stressful and traumatic periods of our lives – when we had to help our son in his efforts to secure a home. We always keeping you mind and we always recommend you. We wish you every success."
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"I met John Connor - IFA to discuss the purchase of a property and the various mortgage options available to us. John was incredibly knowledgeable of the products available, listened and understood our financial situation, and offered us simplified advice that we could understand in order to make relevant choices. John even advised us on planning for the future with policies that did not cost extra money but meant our property and assets were safe. John was always available and went the extra mile on several occasions.
"We have always found the service John provides to be reliable, honest and professional.
He is extremely conscientious, hardworking and we would highly recommend him."
"We have used Mr John Connor's services over many years to arrange both mortgages and insurances for all of our family.
We have found him to be honest, efficient and able to find the best products to our needs.
We will certainly use him again and would happily recommend him to anyone.
Regards,
Bryn Davies"
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JWC Financial Solutions
1 Hagley Mews
Hall Drive
Hagley
Worcestershire
DY9 9LQ
T: 08435 070097, 07730 070097 or 01384 660097
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Registered Office: Hartle Croft, 20 Hartle Lane, Belbroughton, Worcestershire, DY9 9TJ
Registration Number: 08317734
Registered in England
JWC Financial Solutions Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. JWC Financial Solutions Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register (www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 649801.
The guidance provided within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at consumers based in the UK.
A summary of our internal complaints handling procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints is available on request and if you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by contacting them on 0800 0234 567.
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