Client
Portal

What will your legacy look like?

Back to News & Views

Effective Inheritance Tax planning is a careful balancing act

Once a concern only for the very affluent, Inheritance Tax (IHT) is now an issue for many ordinary families, who may find themselves handing over an unprecedented portion of their estates to the taxman. This shift results from years of house price growth, inflation and stagnant tax thresholds. The Office for Budget Responsibility anticipates that IHT will bring in £7.2 billion in the fiscal year 2023/24[1].

Effective IHT planning is a careful balancing act. It’s about ensuring you can live comfortably and meet your care needs while also considering how to pass on your wealth in the most tax-efficient way. Navigating these complexities can be challenging, but it’s entirely manageable with open communication and careful planning.

Typically, IHT applies at a rate of 40% on the value of an estate above the ‘nil rate’ allowance of £325,000 (which has been frozen until April 2028). This figure escalates to £500,000 if a primary residence is bequeathed to a direct descendant. Assets passed to a spouse or registered civil partner are exempt from this tax.

Valuable reliefs and the seven-year rule

A variety of reliefs exist that enable families to protect more of their estate from IHT. The most significant of these is arguably the seven-year rule. This provision allows certain gifts to be tax-free, provided the giver survives for seven years after making the gift. However, this seemingly straightforward rule is fraught with potential pitfalls that could result in an unexpected bill from His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Estate planning is a complex endeavour. Prudent giving requires sufficient funds to support a long life and cover care costs. Here, we explore the main tax traps that could cost you thousands and provide guidance on avoiding them.

Complications of gifting property

Often, the most valuable asset in an estate is the family home. However, the rules regarding property transfers are stringent. It is a widespread misunderstanding that transferring the legal ownership of a property to children while the parents continue to reside there will sidestep IHT. Such a transfer would be considered a ‘gift with reservation’ by the HMRC, as the original owner continues to benefit from the asset.

Avoiding the ‘gift with reservation’ pitfall

A parent wishing to transfer ownership but continue living in the family home would need to pay market rent to the new owner to avoid this situation. The HMRC would require a signed rental agreement specifying an annual rent review and evidence of payments.

Transferring ownership of your home while you continue to reside in it carries inherent risks, as you depend on the new owners not selling the property. Placing the property into a trust can help manage this risk, though this approach has its own costs and complexities.

Bestowing gifts and understanding the tax implications

Giving gifts can be a joyous act, but it’s crucial to understand the context when it comes to IHT. If you pass away within seven years of giving a gift, IHT may be charged on the amount exceeding the £325,000 allowance. This is based on a sliding scale and if death occurs within three years, the usual 40% rate applies on amounts above this allowance.

For gifts that potentially violate the seven-year rule, if the gift exceeds the available Nil Rate Band Allowance, there would be tax on the recipient. If this isn’t addressed, the deceased’s estate typically handles the tax, which can become complicated with multiple beneficiaries.

Tax-free allowances and their exceptions

Certain allowances are exempt from the seven-year rule. You can give up to £3,000 each tax year without it being considered part of your estate later. However, this allowance hasn’t changed for over four decades, and inflation has significantly diminished its value.

The annual allowance can be divided among several people or given to one individual, and unused allowance can be carried forward by one tax year. You can also give a tax-free gift £5,000 to a child or stepchild for their wedding or registered civil partnership. For a grandchild or great-grandchild, it’s £2,500, and £1,000 for any other person.

Regular gifts from excess income

Regular gifts from your surplus income are exempt from tax, provided they don’t impact your standard of living. These gifts must come from your regular income rather than the sale proceeds of a property. They might include payments into a child’s savings account or to cover your child’s rent. HMRC closely monitors this relief, so it’s important to maintain detailed records of the amounts given.

Maximising your pension benefits

Pensions are one of the most tax-efficient benefits in life and after death. They usually don’t form part of your estate for IHT purposes, though this doesn’t apply to money already drawn from a retirement pot. However, there may be Income Tax to pay depending on when the donor dies and how the benefits are taken.

If you die after age 75, your beneficiaries will pay Income Tax on money taken out of the pension at their usual rate. Beneficiaries can potentially reduce Income Tax on inherited pensions by withdrawing money gradually, and this also depends on their overall level of income

Role of trusts in planning

Trusts are versatile tools that play a significant role in estate planning. Individuals often opt to transfer gifts through trusts, which allows them to control the timing and purpose of the money’s accessibility. This method ensures that the beneficiary can only access the funds under specific conditions, at a predetermined time, or at the trustee’s discretion.

Moreover, life insurance policies can be integrated into an appropriate trust. This strategy ensures immediate access to funds for settling an IHT bill. Establishing a trust for your life insurance policy can provide a quick solution to potential IHT duties, preventing delays in the disbursement of the estate.

Power of Attorney is an essential tool in estate planning

Having a Power of Attorney in place is another crucial element of IHT planning and may require Court of Protection approval. It allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so. Knowing that your wishes will be respected even if you cannot express them personally can provide peace of mind.

Deprivation of assets and avoiding potential pitfalls

The term ‘deprivation of assets’ refers to deliberately disposing of property, assets or income to avoid care fees. If a local authority believes you’ve intentionally given away assets to evade these fees, they can charge you as if those assets were still part of your estate. Unlike the seven-year rule for gifts and IHT, there’s no time limit here – a local authority can investigate the disposal of assets going back decades.

Source data:
[1] https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/tax-by-tax-spend-by-spend/inheritance-tax/

THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS SUCH. TAX TREATMENT DEPENDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH CLIENT AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE. FOR GUIDANCE, SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.

 

THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY DOESN’T REGULATE TRUST PLANNING AND MOST FORMS OF INHERITANCE TAX (IHT) PLANNING. SOME IHT PLANNING SOLUTIONS PUT YOUR MONEY AT RISK, AND YOU MAY GET BACK LESS THAN YOU INVESTED. IHT THRESHOLDS DEPEND ON INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE LAW. TAX AND IHT RULES MAY CHANGE IN THE FUTURE.

Book your FREE, no obligation discussion today. Schedule Appointment

Sign Up to our mailing list - Receive regular news, tips and financial commentary from the Gemini Team.

Latest News

  • 23 hours ago

    Saving can bring you a level of financial freedom that transforms your life. By putting money away regularly, you create a financial cushion that can support you through emergencies, help you achieve significant milestones or provide peace of mind. [...]

  • First and foremost, let’s explore how your pension operates. When you contribute to a personal or defined contribution workplace pension, your payments are invested in various investment funds. As you continue to contribute, your pension pot should grow. However, it’s important to remember that the value of investments can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. [...]

  • Investing is an indispensable tool for building wealth and achieving financial goals. By allocating resources to various investments, individuals can accumulate wealth over time through capital appreciation, dividends and interest. For example, investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks can yield significant returns, enabling you to grow your wealth far beyond what traditional savings accounts offer. [...]

  • In what some call ‘The Great Unretirement’, many retirees are re-entering the workforce. The reasons for this trend are as varied as the individuals themselves, but the rising cost of living has driven many to seek ways to bolster their financial security. [...]

  • With life expectancy rising and more people starting families later, around 1.3 million individuals in England and Wales now have caring responsibilities for older and younger dependents. If this sounds familiar, you’re likely part of the ‘sandwich generation’. [...]

  • If you are in your 40s or 50s, you have likely contributed to a pension for quite some time. Over the years, you may have accumulated multiple employer workplace pensions. However, when did you last thoroughly examine your pension and retirement strategy? Having a documented retirement plan can help you feel more prepared for this stage of your life, ensuring you have a sufficient income when you stop working. Here, we explore several factors to consider when reviewing your savings. If you don’t yet have a plan, in this article, we consider a helpful starting point. [...]

  • Increasing longevity and evolving demographics have left many middle-aged individuals juggling careers with caring for both ageing parents and children. This issue is particularly acute for ambitious professionals who prioritised establishing their careers before starting a family in their thirties or forties. [...]

  • With 2.81 million people in the UK now away from work due to long-term sickness, ensuring employers offer comprehensive health benefits is becoming increasingly critical. This approach is essential for preventing employees from becoming too ill to work, as well as for attracting and retaining staff in a competitive job market. By providing the right health coverage, companies can support their workforce’s wellbeing, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction. [...]

  • As we age or accumulate more wealth, protecting and preserving our assets for future generations becomes increasingly essential. This process, known as Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning, estate planning or intergenerational wealth planning, involves strategically managing your estate to minimise tax liabilities and ensure that your wealth is passed down to your loved ones in the most tax-efficient manner possible. [...]

  • Balancing the many responsibilities of motherhood can be overwhelming, often pushing long-term financial planning onto the back burner. However, effective financial planning is essential for everyone, and as a mother, you face unique challenges that require extra attention. Here are some key financial planning steps to help you take control and secure your family’s future. [...]

  • On 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Budget Statement 2024, accompanied by a comprehensive fiscal statement from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). This significant event comes as the new government, elected to boost economic stability and growth, takes its first important step in addressing the nation’s financial health. [...]

  • Diversifying your portfolio places you in an advantageous position to seize opportunities across various investments as they emerge. This strategy usually results in a smoother investment journey. But how? The answer lies in the balancing act that diversification encourages. Investments that appreciate in value can offset those that are underperforming. [...]

Gemini Wealth Management Ltd is Authorised and regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority Registered in England & Wales No. 5919877 Registered Office: Gemini House, 71 Park Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B73 6BT The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax and trust advice, will writing and some forms of buy to let mortgages. The guidance and/or advice contained in this website is subject to regulatory regime and is therefore restricted to those based in the UK.

Website by Mellow Marsh Software
© Gemini Wealth Management Ltd
Important Documents | Cookie Policy