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Inheritance Tax Advice for Families, Executors and Business Owners
Inheritance Tax Advice
Inheritance Tax planning needs proper advice when family wealth, property, gifts, trusts, business assets or probate deadlines are involved. We provide specialist inheritance tax advice for individuals, families, executors and business owners who need an inheritance tax accountant to review their estate position carefully, explain the likely exposure clearly and deal with HMRC in a structured way.
- Specialist advice from a UK inheritance tax accountant
- Support with estate planning, IHT reporting and HMRC issues
- Clear review of gifts, trusts, reliefs and probate deadlines
- Online, phone and in-person appointments across the UK
Book a Consultation for Inheritance Tax Advice
Inheritance Tax issues often need proper review
When Inheritance Tax Needs Specialist Advice
Many clients ask for advice when an estate is already under pressure. A property has increased in value, lifetime gifts were made years ago but not documented properly, there is uncertainty over the 7 year rule, business or farming assets may or may not qualify for relief, or an executor now has to deal with IHT400 and probate deadlines. In practice, these issues are rarely solved by generic guidance alone.
Inheritance Tax is not only about the value of the estate on death. Proper analysis also looks at earlier gifts, exempt transfers, spouse and charity exemptions, available nil-rate bands, trust exposure, reliefs for business or agricultural property, and whether HMRC reporting is needed even where no tax is ultimately due. HMRC confirms the standard nil-rate band is £325,000 and the residence nil-rate band is £175,000 where the conditions are met, with taper applying above £2 million.
- Inheritance Tax Planning
- 7 Year Rule and Gifts
- Nil Rate Band Review
- IHT400 and Probate
- Inheritance Tax Reliefs
Common issues we deal with
Practical Help with Inheritance Tax Problems
We deal with inheritance tax matters where accuracy, judgement and planning matter. The aim is to understand the exposure properly, apply available reliefs correctly and reduce the chance of a wider HMRC problem during lifetime planning or after death.
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Inheritance Tax Planning
We advise on inheritance tax planning where property, investments, cash, business assets and family wealth need a coordinated review.
02
Gifts and the 7 Year Rule
We help clients review lifetime gifts, potentially exempt transfers, gifting exemptions and record keeping where earlier transfers affect the IHT position.
03
Nil Rate Band and Residence Nil Rate Band
We review whether the standard nil-rate band, transferable nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band are available and how they affect the estate.
04
IHT400 and Probate Reporting
We assist executors and families with IHT reporting, estate valuations and HMRC forms where probate inheritance tax compliance needs careful handling.
05
Inheritance Tax Reliefs
We review available inheritance tax reliefs including spouse exemption, charity exemption, business property relief and agricultural property relief.
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Inheritance Tax and Trusts
We help where trusts, settlements or earlier trust planning affect entry charges, ten-year charges, exit charges or the wider estate position.
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Business Owners and Family Wealth
We advise business owners and families where company shares, succession planning and future relief changes make the inheritance tax position more sensitive.
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HMRC Enquiries and Historic Estate Issues
We review HMRC contact carefully and help respond where gifts, values, reliefs or filing positions are being questioned or need correcting.
Clear IHT advice makes a difference
Why Work with an Inheritance Tax Specialist
An inheritance tax specialist does more than estimate whether an estate is above the threshold. Good advice helps you understand what assets form part of the taxable estate, what gifts are still relevant, what exemptions and reliefs may apply, whether trust issues need review and how HMRC deadlines should be handled properly. It also helps where family intentions, will drafting and tax planning need to align.
For some clients, that means reviewing lifetime giving before wealth is transferred. For others, it means checking whether business assets qualify for relief, whether a residence can benefit from the residence nil-rate band, whether trust structures still work as intended, or how executors should approach IHT400 and probate. Current planning also needs to reflect upcoming changes, including reforms to business and agricultural relief from 6 April 2026 and planned pension-related IHT changes from April 2027.
Reduce Risk
Spot weak planning, missing records and relief issues before they become bigger HMRC problems.
Get Clear Guidance
Understand what may be taxable, what relief may apply and what practical steps should be taken next.
Deal with HMRC Properly
Approach IHT reporting, valuations, probate deadlines and HMRC queries with better structure and confidence.
Targeted support for families, executors and owners
Who We Advise On Inheritance Tax Matters
As property values rise, family structures become more complex and more estates include businesses, trusts or significant gifts, many clients need an inheritance tax adviser who can look at the wider picture rather than just quote thresholds. The right advice can help you stay compliant, plan more effectively and reduce unnecessary tax exposure.
Families Planning Ahead
For individuals and couples who want inheritance tax planning around gifts, property, wills and future family wealth transfers.
Executors & Personal Representatives
For those dealing with probate inheritance tax, estate valuations, IHT400 and HMRC deadlines after a death.
Business Owners and Farmers
For clients who need advice on business property relief, agricultural property relief and succession planning before the rules tighten further.
Clients with Trust or Cross-Border Issues
For those with trust structures, UK assets, international family links or more complex estate-planning concerns requiring specialist review.
Flexible support across the UK
Speak Online, by Phone or In Person
We support clients across the UK by phone, video call and secure online document exchange. Many inheritance tax matters can be handled efficiently without unnecessary travel, making it easier to get reliable advice whether you need lifetime inheritance tax planning, estate reporting after death, IHT400 support, relief analysis or help responding to HMRC.
Speak to a tax adviser by Zoom and deal with your inheritance tax matter efficiently.
Where a face-to-face discussion is more suitable, appointments can be arranged for a more detailed review.
Call, book online or send an enquiry and we will guide you to the right next step.
What clients say about our personal tax service
What Clients Say About Our Inheritance Tax Advice
We support families, executors and business owners who want inheritance tax advice to be clearer, more practical and easier to manage. Clients value responsive support, clear explanations and a more efficient way of dealing with HMRC, probate deadlines and wider estate-planning concerns.
We needed to understand whether my mother’s estate would actually face inheritance tax and how earlier gifts affected the position. Tax Accountant reviewed the figures carefully, explained the thresholds and reliefs clearly and helped us deal with the reporting with much more confidence.
Rebecca T
Executor
My case involved property, company shares and questions about future inheritance tax planning for the family. The advice was clear, practical and far more useful than trying to work through thresholds, gifts and reliefs on my own.
Michael A
Business Owner
Your Questions - Our Answers
We are here to help you with any questions you may have
What is Inheritance Tax, and how much can you pass on tax-free?
Inheritance Tax is normally charged at 40% on the part of an estate above available allowances. Most people start with two core bands: the Nil-Rate Band, at £325,000, and the Residence Nil-Rate Band, up to £175,000, when a qualifying home passes to direct descendants. Combined, that can shelter up to £500,000 per person.
Any unused Nil-Rate Band and Residence Nil-Rate Band can usually transfer to a spouse or civil partner, which means some couples can pass up to £1 million free of IHT. The Residence Nil-Rate Band tapers by £1 for every £2 that a net estate exceeds £2 million, so larger estates may lose it.
Gifts between spouses or civil partners are generally exempt from tax. Leaving 10% or more of the net estate to charity can reduce the IHT rate from 40% to 36%. Good planning starts with a will review, an up-to-date balance sheet, and a check on how assets are owned.
Our Tax Advisors can map your allowances, test Residence Nil-Rate Band eligibility, model taper effects, and structure legacies and ownership to protect relief. Our Tax Consultants coordinate property and share valuations and prepare clear, HMRC-ready schedules so you know what is covered, what is not, and what to do next.
Who pays IHT, when is it due, and can I pay by instalments?
Executors or personal representatives usually arrange payment from estate funds. Inheritance Tax is due by the end of the sixth month after the month of death. If the deadline is missed, HMRC charges interest on the unpaid balance, so timing matters.
If the estate includes property, certain shareholdings, or agricultural or business assets, it is often possible to pay by yearly instalments for up to ten years on qualifying property. Interest still applies to the outstanding tax, but instalments can protect cash flow while assets are sold or refinanced.
Our Tax Consultants build a clear liability and timeline schedule that shows what is owed, when, and from which accounts. We prepare the IHT400 pack with supporting schedules, coordinate valuations, and liaise with lenders if short-term finance is needed to avoid late interest or forced sales.
If probate is urgent, our Tax Advisors prioritise the IHT421 steps so the application moves quickly. Ask about our 48-hour IHT readiness service if you need fast estimates, document lists, and payment options to keep the family on track and compliant.
How does the Residence Nil-Rate Band work, and what is the £2 million taper?
The Residence Nil-Rate Band adds up to £175,000 when a qualifying main residence is left to direct descendants such as children, stepchildren, adopted or foster children, and their lineal descendants. If you downsize or sell before death, a downsizing addition can help preserve the relief if the value passes to your descendants.
For larger estates, the Residence Nil-Rate Band is tapered by £1 for every £2 that the net estate exceeds £2 million. Above roughly £2.35 million, the relief may be lost entirely. The Residence Nil-Rate Band can be transferred between spouses or civil partners if unused upon the first death, but it still needs to be claimed with supporting evidence.
Planning often involves checking who inherits the home, whether a discretionary trust is appropriate, and whether a deed of variation after death could improve the claim. Our Tax Advisors model taper effects at different estate values and test downsizing rules, prepare computations and evidence to support the claim in the IHT return.
The aim is simple: retain eligibility, avoid accidental loss through tapering, and ensure the family home benefits your heirs rather than increasing the tax bill.
How do lifetime gifts, the 7-year rule, and exemptions actually work?
Many families reduce IHT with lifetime gifting. Most gifts are Potentially Exempt Transfers and fall outside the estate if you survive seven years. If death occurs sooner, the gift becomes chargeable, and taper relief may reduce the tax on that gift, not the value of the gift itself.
You also have smaller exemptions that apply immediately. The annual exemption is £3,000 per tax year, with one year’s carry-forward if unused. Small gifts up to £250 per person do not use the annual exemption. Regular gifts from surplus income can be made outside of IHT if they do not reduce your normal standard of living.
Good records are essential. HMRC will expect dates, amounts, recipients, and evidence of surplus income for regular gifts. Our Tax Consultants can review bank statements, calculate surplus income, and document a compliant pattern. We can also identify which gifts should be reported on IHT forms and where trusts or deeds may assist.
What are Business Relief and Agricultural Property Relief, and who qualifies?
Business Relief can reduce IHT by 50% or 100% on qualifying business assets. This can include interests in a trading business, unlisted company shares, certain controlling holdings in listed companies, and land or machinery used in the business. Agricultural Property Relief can apply to working farms and agricultural properties that meet the occupation and use tests.
Eligibility turns on what the business does, how long assets have been held, and whether they are used wholly or mainly for the qualifying activity. Evidence matters, from accounts and tenancy agreements to herd records and land use documentation. For borderline cases, restructuring before succession can protect relief.
Our Tax Advisors evaluate trading status, protect investment assets, and prepare eligibility dossiers for HMRC. We conduct valuations, map mixed-use land, and assess farmhouse status or development value as required.
With the right evidence and structure, BR and APR can significantly reduce the chargeable value, ease the burden on executors, and keep the family business or farm intact for the next generation.
Can charitable giving really reduce IHT to 36 per cent, and how is it calculated?
Leaving 10% or more of your estate to charity can lower the inheritance tax rate from 40% to 36%. This works by dividing your estate into distinct parts, including the general estate, assets shared with others, and property held in trusts. The 10% rule applies to each part, so it’s essential to plan how much to allocate and which part to prioritise.
The easiest way to make this decision is in your will. If your intentions change after your death, you can still use a deed of variation within two years. This requires agreement from the affected beneficiaries and the use of the correct legal wording. Executors must verify the charity’s status and ensure that the gift is clearly stated.
Our Tax Consultants can help you figure out the right amount to give and which part to use. Our Tax Advisors will prepare the calculation and ensure all information in the return is accurate.
This way, you can leave a legacy that supports causes you care about, reduce the tax rate you pay, and provide a fair outcome for beneficiaries who are not charities.
Do spouses and civil partners always pay no IHT, and what about non-dom spouses?
Transfers between spouses and civil partners who live in the UK are generally not subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT), both during life and after death. The unused Nil-Rate Band and Residence Nil-Rate Band can usually be passed on to the surviving partner, which can significantly lower the tax bill.
The rules become more complicated when one spouse is not UK-domiciled. In this case, the spouse exemption may be limited unless the non-domiciled spouse chooses to be treated as UK-domiciled for IHT purposes, which has wider implications. It’s important to review domicile and residence history before making this decision.
Our Tax Advisors look at where assets are located, the terms of wills, and the ownership of the family home to ensure you take full advantage of available reliefs. We review pension nominations, life insurance in trust, and survivorship arrangements to align with your objectives. If you expect to inherit overseas, we examine how UK-based assets and excluded property trusts affect UK tax obligations. We also prepare the necessary claims for transfer bands with the IHT return to ensure everything is consistent and compliant.
How are homes, shares, and private businesses valued for IHT, and what if HMRC disagrees?
For Inheritance Tax, we value assets at their market price on the date of death. Homes and land are usually valued based on similar sales and their condition, often backed by a report from a RICS-qualified valuer. For quoted shares, we use stock market prices around the valuation date. For unlisted shares and business interests, we base values on earnings, assets, and control.
HMRC can question these valuations, so it’s important to build a strong evidence pack to prevent delays, interest, and penalties. For business assets, showing they are used in a trading activity helps secure Business Relief, while investment assets may need to be treated separately.
Our Tax Advisors work with independent valuers to identify any issues affecting value and prepare clear reports. We manage communications with HMRC and negotiate on any questions raised, working to reach agreements without lengthy disputes.If an asset sells later for a lower price, we look into loss relief where applicable. If a higher price shows the asset was undervalued earlier, we make prompt corrections to avoid penalties. Our aim is to ensure fair values, clear filings, and smooth progress through the probate process.
What paperwork goes to HMRC, and what are the key deadlines for executors?
When someone passes away, their estate may be subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT), which requires the IHT400 form along with additional schedules for gifts, property, shares, and trusts. The IHT421 form helps move forward with the probate process. Inheritance Tax must be paid within six months after death; otherwise, interest will start to accumulate.
Some smaller estates may fall under the category of excepted estates and can use a simpler reporting method, but it’s still important to value assets accurately and keep records of gifts. Executors should quickly collect bank statements, investment details, property information, and any proof of gifts made during the person’s lifetime.
How do your Tax Advisors create an actionable IHT plan I can trust?
We start with a review to gather information about your wills, assets, debts, ownership, pensions, and family goals. Then, we look at how to use the Nil-Rate Band and Residence Nil-Rate Band, understand their tapering, and explore lifetime gifts using annual and surplus income exemptions.
Next, we check options for Business Relief and Agricultural Property Relief, as well as charitable legacies that could unlock the 36% rate. We also consider deeds of variation that may help after death. Executors receive a timeline for valuations, payments, and installment options to ensure steady cash flow.
Our Tax Consultants prepare a complete package for HMRC that aligns with the IHT400 form and its supporting documents. If HMRC questions any values, we handle the negotiations. For estates with a business or farm, we arrange expert valuations and evidence to support the reliefs.
We work on fixed fees, provide schedules suitable for lenders, and offer a fast-track service for urgent cases. You can email to book a call with one of our Tax Advisors to get a written plan, accurate numbers, and a clear path to probate.