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Inheritance tax

Expert commentary and practical guidance from ICAEW related to inheritance tax in the UK personal tax regime.

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Exclusive

TAXguide 16/20: Basic inheritance tax planning

This practical guide outlines the inheritance tax rules, explains key reliefs, and planning for lifetime gifts, wills and deathbed situations.
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Exclusive

Inheritance tax: pitfalls and planning points

Inheritance tax has been in the public eye again in recent months, sparking media debate on the merits and demerits of one of the UK’s least favourite taxes. Mei Lim Cooper looks at some of the pitfalls and planning points for inheritance tax as it stands.
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TAXguide 11/20: IHT on overseas property representing UK residential property

An update to guidance from ICAEW, STEP, CIOT and The Law Society on areas of uncertainty in the statutory provisions for Inheritance Tax on Overseas Property Representing UK Residential Property introduced by Finance Act (No 2) Act 2017.
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Practical guidance

ICAEW's Tax Faculty produces TAXguides to provide practical support on technical areas of tax.

Exclusive TAXguide 16/20: Basic inheritance tax planning
  • Technical release
  • 17 Dec 2020
This practical guide outlines the inheritance tax rules, explains key reliefs, and planning for lifetime gifts, wills and deathbed situations.
TAXguide 11/20: IHT on overseas property representing UK residential property
  • Technical release
  • 29 Jun 2020
An update to guidance from ICAEW, STEP, CIOT and The Law Society on areas of uncertainty in the statutory provisions for Inheritance Tax on Overseas Property Representing UK Residential Property introduced by Finance Act (No 2) Act 2017.
TAXguide 15/17: Inheritance tax - business property relief and groups of companies
  • Technical release
  • 07 Sep 2017
In TAXguide 15/17, the Tax Faculty has published correspondence between Emma Chamberlain and HMRC relating to the availability of business property relief (BPR) in complex group structures. It extends the guidance offered by TAXguide 05/11 on inheritance tax and BPR.
TAXguide 10/15
  • Technical release
  • 27 Oct 2015
  • PDF (250kb)
Inheritance Tax and Trusts: Trust variations and settlements
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Features and articles

Expert commentary and practical guidance from ICAEW related to inheritance tax in the UK personal tax regime.

Budget: Further changes made to CGT, IHT and residence rules
  • Article
  • 27 Nov 2025
The Chancellor announced a number of changes to capital gains tax (CGT), inheritance tax (IHT) and the residence-based tax regime , including a change in the rules for disposals to employee ownership trusts (EOTs), effective immediately.
Influencing policy to support you: September 2025
  • Article
  • 30 Sep 2025
This month, ICAEW engaged with ministers to address issues ranging from employment rights and pensions reform to trade, inheritance tax and business growth.
Inheritance tax: sweeping changes ahead and why more estates will be caught
  • Article
  • 26 Sep 2025
Recent analysis by Irwin Mitchell reveals a dramatic shift in the UK’s inheritance tax (IHT) landscape.
Follow the numbers: IHT thresholds and exemptions
  • Article
  • 04 Sep 2025
HMRC’s latest statistics show that inheritance tax receipts increased by 12% between 2021/22 and 2022/23. ICAEW’s Tax Faculty considers the impact of frozen thresholds and exemptions and the possible effects of the government’s IHT reforms.
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Bloomsbury Accounting and Tax Service

Eligible firms have free access to Bloomsbury Professional's comprehensive online library, comprising around 80 titles from some of the country's leading tax and accounting subject matter experts. Find out who is eligible and how you can access the Accounting and Tax Service.

Exclusive Revenue Law: Principles and Practice
  • eBook
  • 2025
  • Jackie Anderson, et al.
  • Revenue Law
Textbook aimed at finance and business undergraduate students, providing readers with an understanding of the law relating to all areas of UK taxation. The content has been bought up to date with Finance Act 2025, relevant case decisions and new guidance issued by HMRC and other relevant bodies.
Exclusive Taxation of savings and investments
  • eBook chapter
  • 2025
  • David Brookes
  • Revenue Law
A chapter on the taxation of savings and investments, within this textbook providing readers with an understanding of the law relating to all areas of UK taxation. Sections include: Tax-exempt savings allowances; Taxation of dividends; Enterprise investment scheme (EIS); CGT reinvestment and deferral relief; Venture capital trusts; Seed enterprise investment scheme (SEIS); Social investment tax relief (SITR).
Exclusive Trusts and estates
  • eBook chapter
  • 2025
  • The TACS Partnership
  • Bloomsbury Professional Tax Guide
Five chapters on trusts and estates, including coverage of income tax and trusts, capital gains tax and trusts, and inheritance tax and trusts.
Exclusive Business and agricultural property relief and woodlands relief
  • eBook chapter
  • 2025
  • Mark McLaughlin
  • Tax Planning
A chapter on tax relief for agricultural property, highlighting tax planning opportunities and potential pitfalls.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the Acceptable usage terms.

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eBooks

The Library & Information Service provides a collection of eBooks as a benefit of membership. Please log in to access these titles. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com.

Exclusive Inheritance and gift taxes
  • eBook chapter
  • 2023
  • IBFD
  • Global Individual Tax Handbook
A short section providing an overview of inheritance and gift taxes in the UK. Includes coverage of taxable persons, taxable assets, allowances and exemptions, rates, and double taxation relief.
Exclusive Inheritance Tax
  • eBook chapter
  • 2023
  • Telegraph Media Group
  • The Telegraph Tax Guide
A chapter summarising the basics of Inheritance Tax — what it must be paid on, rates of tax, and relevant exemptions and reliefs. The author gives tax saving tips, and illustrates points with real-world examples.
Exclusive Residence and domicile
  • eBook chapter
  • 2023
  • Telegraph Media Group
  • The Telegraph Tax Guide
A chapter covering the concepts of residence and domicile, and their respective implications for an individual’s liability to Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Inheritance Tax in the UK. The author gives tax saving tips, and illustrates points with real-world examples.
Exclusive Inheritance tax
  • eBook chapter
  • 2021
  • Malcolm James
A brief chapter on inheritance tax (IHT) in the UK. Inheritance tax is payable on the estates of deceased persons and certain lifetime transfers.
Exclusive UK tax system: an introduction, The (4th edition)
  • eBook
  • 2021
  • Malcolm James
Guide to the UK tax system for tax practitioners and students.
Exclusive Taxation: Finance Act 2019
  • eBook
  • 2020
  • Alan Melville
The main aim of this book is to describe the UK taxation system in sufficient depth and with sufficient clarity to meet the needs of those undertaking a first course of study in taxation.
Exclusive Farmland succession
  • eBook chapter
  • 2016
  • Julie Butler
A chapter on farmland succession planning in this guide for legal and financial experts in the private client sphere. Julie Butler considers tax reliefs, lifetime transfers and using capital gains tax (CGT) and inheritance tax (IHT) tax planning together.
Exclusive Private client practice: an expert guide
  • eBook
  • 2016
  • Laura Slater
Broken into a series of direct and insightful articles from a broad range of legal and financial experts in the private client sphere, the guide outlines the most important legislative and case law developments and considers their practical impact. Articles also address some of some tricky and related areas that private client solicitors should know about, such as investment strategies, farming law, and litigation.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection

The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service includes a range of articles, books and reports on inheritance tax. A selection of recent books covering this topic is set out below.
How to deal with international estates
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • J. Summers
  • Law Society Publishing
A concise practical guide to dealing with international estates, for probate practitioners in England and Wales. It covers various planning and regulatory compliance issues, pertaining both to UK clients who have assets overseas and to non-UK based clients with assets in the UK.
Tolley's taxwise, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • T. Agnew, et al.
  • LexisNexis
An annual two-volume set offering practical expert guidance on how to approach real-world tax computations. Brings together relevant points from current legislation, case law and other official material. Worked examples and detailed explanatory notes are included to illustrate complex points.
Tolley's estate planning, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • Tolley
  • LexisNexis
This book considers all aspects of estate planning, demonstrating how to formulate strategies for the provision, holding and devolution of personal and family resources. It includes numerous practical planning suggestions, a practical step-by-step case study, and worked examples and tables.
Inheritance tax, 8th ed.
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • A. Nathan, et al.
  • Sweet & Maxwell
In-depth reference work on Inheritance Tax (IHT), providing analysis of key cases to show how the courts are interpreting IHT legislation. This latest edition has been updated to cover new developments around employee benefit trusts, the IHT charity exemption, and more.
Tolley's tax computations, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • Tolley's Editorial Team
  • LexisNexis
An annual volume presenting over 500 up-to-date examples illustrating the practical operation of the main UK taxes, as well as national insurance contributions. Includes detailed explanatory notes with full references to relevant statutes and HMRC material.
Tolley's yellow tax handbook, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • A. Redston (ed.)
  • LexisNexis
Annual multi-volume work bringing together the fully amended and annotated text of all legislation and official material relating to income tax, capital gains tax, corporation tax, national insurance contributions, tax credits, petroleum revenue tax and inheritance tax. Includes footnotes indicating amendments to legislation, and cross-references to the HMRC Manuals.
Tolley's tax guide, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • S. Maxwell, J. Houghton
  • LexisNexis
An annual single-volume guide to various aspects of taxation in the UK. Includes sections on employment, pensions, trading, family, trusts, estates and more. Points are illustrated with worked examples and clear tables.
Tolley's inheritance tax, 2025-26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • M. Gunn
  • LexisNexis
An annual book providing a comprehensive summary of law and practice relating to inheritance tax. It is arranged by subject, with various aspects being covered in turn. Worked examples, as well as commentary in the form of notes, are included to clarify complex points.

To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.

You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.

Representations

ICAEW REP 068/25 Draft Finance Bill 2025/26 Legislation: Reforms to Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs
  • Representation
  • 15 Sep 2025
  • PDF (274kb)
A representation dated 15 September 2025 to a consultation published by HMRC Treasury on 21 July 2025.
ICAEW REP 030/25 Reforms to inheritance tax reliefs: Consultation on property settled into trust
  • Representation
  • 29 Apr 2025
  • PDF (555kb)
A representation dated 23 April 2025 to a consultation published by HMRC on 27 February 2025.
ICAEW REP 005/25 IHT on pensions liability - reporting and payment
  • Representation
  • 22 Jan 2025
  • PDF (632kb)
A representation dated 22 January 2025 to a consultation published by HMRC on 30 October 2024.
ICAEW REP 65/21: Tax Administration Framework Review
  • Representation
  • 13 Jul 2021
  • PDF (386kb)
In responding to HMRC's consultation on the Tax Administration Framework Review ICAEW argues that the starting point of such tax reform should be significant simplification of the underlying tax rules and that HMRC needs to be given the resources and funding to give it the capacity to take on such a major piece of work.
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