Inheritance tax used to feel like a problem for other people. That has changed. Frozen allowances, rising property and pension values, and the Finance Act 2026 reforms mean far more families are now in scope, often without realising it.
We start by looking at your estate as a whole. Property, pensions, investments, business interests, life cover and gifts already made. We work out what would be due if nothing changed, then show you the practical steps that can reduce it without disrupting your life today.
The aim is simple: more of your wealth reaching the people you want it to reach, with less of it lost along the way.
If you last reviewed your estate a few years ago, the rules underneath that plan have moved. These are the three changes that affect most families.
The £325,000 nil-rate band and £175,000 residence nil-rate band are frozen until 2030. As estates grow, the tax-free portion stays the same. More families cross the threshold every year.
Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief are now capped at £1 million per person. Anything above that gets 50% relief, not 100%. For families with significant business or farm interests, planning has changed materially.
From April 2027, defined contribution pensions count as part of your estate for inheritance tax. This is a big shift. Pensions that used to pass tax-free to family will now often face 40% IHT on top of any income tax the recipient pays.
Use your annual gifting allowances. Review pension nominations and how you draw income. Consider whether earlier gifts to family make sense. Check whether existing trusts are still appropriate.
Estate planning is rarely just about tax. Your will, any trusts, and how the estate is administered all matter. We coordinate with your solicitor so the financial and legal sides work together.
The plans that work best are the ones the family understand and support. Where it helps, we are happy to be in the room when you talk to children or other family members about what is being put in place.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate Wills, Trusts or Tax advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. The value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you invested.
Book a no-obligation conversation. We will talk through where you are now and explore whether we can help.
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