Inheritance Tax - Rates and Allowances

Inheritance Tax Threshold

Year Amount
2010/11 £325,000
2011/12 £325,000

Charges over £325,000 are taxed at 40%
Lifetime chargeable transfer at half death rate, i.e. 20%
Businees poperty relief of 100% for all share holdings in qualifying unquoted trading companies and for most unincorporated trading businesses, agricultural property relief at 100% for qualifying holdings of agricultural land.

* Annual exemption for lifetime gifts £3,000
* Small gifts - annual amount per donee £250

Tapering relief applies to reduce the tax on transfers for survivership within 7 years of death. The reduction in tax is:

Percentage Years
20% 3 -4 Years
40% 4 - 5 Years
60% 5 - 6 Years
80% 6 - 7 Years