In the UK, when someone passes away, their estate, which includes their property, money, and possessions, may be subject to Inheritance Tax. In this blog post, we will explore the key aspects of Inheritance Tax, including the thresholds, rates, exemptions, and considerations for passing on a home.
Thresholds and Exemptions: Inheritance Tax is not normally applicable if:
- The value of your estate is below £325,000.
- You leave everything above the £325,000 threshold to your spouse, civil partner, a charity, or a community amateur sports club.
- Even if your estate is below the threshold, it may still be necessary to report its value.
- If you give your home to your children (including adopted, foster, or stepchildren) or grandchildren, your threshold can increase to £500,000.
Marriage and Civil Partnership: If you are married or in a civil partnership and your estate is worth less than your threshold, any unused threshold can be added to your partner's threshold when you pass away.
Inheritance Tax Rates: The standard Inheritance Tax rate is 40%. This rate is applicable only to the portion of your estate that exceeds the threshold.
Example: Suppose your estate is worth £500,000, and your tax-free threshold is £325,000. The Inheritance Tax charged will be 40% of £175,000 (£500,000 minus £325,000).
Reliefs and Exemptions: Taper relief may reduce the Inheritance Tax charged on gifts given during your lifetime if the gift was given within seven years of your death.
Other reliefs, such as Business Relief, allow certain assets to be passed on free of Inheritance Tax or with a reduced bill. If your estate includes a farm or woodland, you can contact the Inheritance Tax and probate helpline to inquire about Agricultural Relief.
Paying Inheritance Tax and HMRC: Inheritance Tax is paid to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) using funds from the estate. The executor of the estate, as named in the will, is responsible for paying the tax. Beneficiaries who inherit the estate do not typically pay tax on what they receive, but they may have related taxes to pay, such as rental income from inherited property.
Gifts and the Seven-Year Rule: If you give away more than £325,000 in gifts during your lifetime and pass away within seven years of giving the gifts, the recipients may be liable to pay Inheritance Tax on the gifts.
Passing on a Home: You can pass your home to your spouse, civil partner, or significant other without incurring Inheritance Tax. However, if you leave the home to another person in your will, its value will be considered part of your estate.
Giving away a home before death: If you give away your home and live for another seven years, there is usually no Inheritance Tax to pay. However, if you continue to live in the property after giving it away, you must pay rent at the market rate and cover your share of the bills for at least seven years. Otherwise, it will be considered a "gift with reservation" and included in the value of your estate upon your death.
If you die within seven years: If you pass away within seven years of giving away all or part of your property, the home will be treated as a gift, and the seven-year rule will apply.
Further Assistance: For questions regarding giving away a home and its implications, you can contact the Inheritance Tax and probate helpline. It's important to note that they cannot provide advice on reducing tax liabilities.