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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.

Trendwatch: agriculture
  • Article
  • 06 Jun 2025
Agriculture has been thrust into the spotlight with security of food supply and inheritance tax changes fuelling media interest. But what is going on with investment in the sector?
ICAEW technical round-up: May 2025
  • Article
  • 29 May 2025
This month’s top stories feature a landlord tax avoidance scheme warning, a new ICAEW audit training film and an ISSB proposal to reduce Scope 3 sustainability reporting.
Influencing policy to support you: May 2025
  • Article
  • 29 May 2025
ICAEW has shared recommendations and insights from members on apprenticeship funding, inheritance tax changes, amendments to the Employment Rights Bill and the local audit market.
Exclusive What the IHT changes mean for farmers
  • Article
  • 21 May 2025
As has been well documented in the national press, significant changes were made to inheritance tax reliefs (“IHT”) as part of Rachel Reeves' Autumn budget. These changes could force individuals to sell off farms that have been in the family for generations, due to the “dry tax charge” that will potentially arise on death. Essentially, a dry tax charge is a tax liability that crystallises without an individual receiving any funds to discharge the liability.
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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 Practical inheritance tax planning
  • eBook
  • 2025
  • Paul Davies, Mark McLaughlin, Rebecca Sheldon, Geoffrey Shindler
Essential guide for accountants advising clients on inheritance tax planning, addressing IHT and estate planning issues.
Exclusive Business property relief
  • eBook chapter
  • 2025
  • Paul Davies, Mark McLaughlin, Rebecca Sheldon, Geoffrey Shindler
  • Practical Inheritance Tax Planning
Practical advice on business property relief issues in relation to inheritance tax planning.
Exclusive Agricultural property
  • eBook chapter
  • 2025
  • Paul Davies, Mark McLaughlin, Rebecca Sheldon, Geoffrey Shindler
  • Practical Inheritance Tax Planning
Practical advice on agricultural property relief issues in relation to inheritance tax planning.
Exclusive Succession planning and passing on the family or owner-managed company
  • eBook chapter
  • 2025
  • Peter Rayney
  • Tax Planning for Family and Owner-managed Companies
Tax planning advice for passing a family or owner-managed company on to the next generation or selling to a third party, written for anyone who advises or runs one.
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 Private client: wills, trusts and estate planning 2024
  • eBook
  • 2024
  • Lesley King
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the legal and taxation implications arising from estate planning work for clients within the private client department of a solicitor's practice.
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 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.
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.
The UK tax system: an introduction, 5th ed.
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • M. James
  • Spiramus
A guide to the UK tax system for tax practitioners and students. This fifth edition has been revised to reflect the law as of January 2025.
How to save inheritance tax, 2025/26
  • Library book
  • 2025
  • C. Bayley
  • Taxcafe UK
The latest edition of this guide aims to provide comprehensive information on various aspects of inheritance tax. It thoroughly examines a number of tax planning strategies, helping you to make informed decisions regarding the appropriate steps for you and your family.
Tolley's estate planning, 2024-25
  • Library book
  • 2024
  • 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.
Tolley's UK taxation of trusts, 2024-25
  • Library book
  • 2024
  • I. Maston
  • LexisNexis
An annual book covering the taxation of both onshore and offshore trusts. Includes a consideration of income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax as they respectively apply to trusts. Worked examples are included to clarify complex points.
Tolley's taxwise, 2024-25
  • Library book
  • 2024
  • 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.

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 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.
ICAEW REP 16/20 Inheritance tax-excluded property FB19-21 clause 72
  • Representation
  • 22 Apr 2020
  • PDF (315kb)
A briefing to MPs dated 20 April 2020 on Finance Bill 2019-21 published by government on 19 March 2020.
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