𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Inheritance tax has been described as a “meal ticket” for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) after receipts hit £7 billion in ten months. The amount was raised from April 2024 to January 2025, figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) showed.

This is £800 million higher than the same ten months last year and continues the upward trajectory over the last two decades. HMRC raised £7.499 billion in 2023-4 tax year, but these figures show that they are well on track to smash through this figure for the 2024-5 tax year end.

Nicholas Hyett, investment manager at Wealth Club said: “Inheritance tax continues to be a meal ticket for HMRC. It may only affect a small percentage of estates, but that number is growing. OBR estimates suggest nearly 10% of estates will pay death duties by 2030 due to increasing house prices, changes to inheritance tax rules and years of allowance freezes.

“While we don’t expect to see any more changes to inheritance tax announced at next week’s Spring Statement, the changes announced in the autumn are yet to kick in and will increase the inheritance tax take substantially over the next few years.

“The main inheritance tax allowance has now been frozen at £325,000 for 15 years, and remains frozen for another 5 years until 2030, while the £175,000 residence nil rate band hasn’t changed since 2020. These freezes are a form of stealth tax, which allows the government to increase their take without a backlash from a headline grabbing tax hike, but still contribute to the highest tax burden in 70 years.

“With inheritance tax reliefs for AIM and private businesses set to be severely restricted, it has rarely been more difficult to avoid the taxman having your cake and eating it too.”

Around 4% of deaths result in an inheritance tax, often described as Britain’s most hated tax, but this could rise to 10% by 2030

Agricultural Relief and Business Property Relief have been reformed, meaning that from April 2026, the first £1million of qualifying combined assets will have no inheritance tax at all, but for assets over £1million a 50% relief will apply, at an effective rate of 20%.

And from April 2027, inherited pensions could be subject to inheritance tax.

Andrew Zanelli, head of technical engagement at Aberdeen Adviser said: “Inheritance tax continues to bring in more money than ever. And the plan to bring pension pots into the fold, coupled with frozen thresholds, mean more and more people could face a tax charge.