UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) Calculator (2026)
Calculate UK Inheritance Tax liability with standard nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band, and spousal exemptions.
United Kingdom Calculator
Adjust Your Inputs
Move the sliders or type exact numbers. Results update instantly.
Instant Estimate
Your Results
Inheritance Tax Due
£0
Based on your selected inheritance tax uk assumptions. Try different sliders to compare scenarios.
Total Tax-Free Allowance
£1,000,000
Net Estate Passed to Heirs
£800,000
Effective IHT Rate
0.00%
These calculations are financial projections and planning estimates, not tax, legal or licensed financial advice. HMRC 2025/2026 statutory rates, NI thresholds, and local council rates apply.
How to Use the Inheritance Tax UK
Enter gross estate value
Input total value of property, savings, investments, cars, and personal assets.
Subtract debts and liabilities
Deduct outstanding mortgages, credit cards, funeral costs, and loans.
Apply qualifying nil-rate bands
Select whether passing main residence to children and transferring unused spousal allowances.
Formula & Calculation Methodology
IHT = (Net Estate - Nil Rate Bands) × 40%This calculator uses standard United Kingdom financial formulas, IRS thresholds, and amortization schedules. All results compute instantly in your browser with zero data stored or transmitted.
Calculation Examples & Scenarios
Married Couple Passing Home to Children (£850,000 Estate)
£850,000 estate, £50,000 debt (£800,000 net), passing home to children with full spousal transfer.
Single Individual with £1.2M Estate
£1,200,000 net estate, standard nil-rate band (£325k) + residence nil-rate band (£175k).
Key Benefits
- Calculates standard nil-rate band (£325k) and residence nil-rate band (£175k)
- Models spousal allowance transferability (up to £1,000,000 total tax-free)
- Highlights estate tax exposure to help with proactive lifetime gifting strategies
Common Use Cases
- Families planning wills and intergenerational wealth transfer to children and grandchildren
- Executors and estate administrators evaluating probate liabilities for HMRC
- Individuals reviewing pension beneficiaries and 7-year gifting rules
How UK Inheritance Tax Allowances Work
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is charged at a flat rate of 40% on the value of your net estate exceeding your available tax-free allowances. Every individual has a standard Nil-Rate Band of £325,000. If you leave your primary residence to direct descendants (children or grandchildren), you can claim an additional Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB) of up to £175,000.
Any unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner, allowing a couple to pass up to £1,000,000 entirely free from Inheritance Tax.
The 7-Year Gifting Rule
Gifts given to individuals during your lifetime are known as Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs). If you survive for at least 7 years after making the gift, it becomes completely exempt from Inheritance Tax. If you pass away between 3 and 7 years after giving the gift, taper relief reduces the tax rate charged on the excess above the nil-rate band.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard nil-rate band is £325,000 per person. If you pass your primary home to direct descendants (children or grandchildren), you can claim an additional £175,000 Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB).
Spouses can transfer 100% of any unused allowances to the surviving spouse, allowing a married couple or civil partners to pass up to £1,000,000 tax-free to their direct heirs.
The standard Inheritance Tax rate is 40% on the portion of your taxable estate that exceeds your available tax-free allowances. Leaving 10%+ to charity reduces the rate to 36%.
Gifts made to individuals more than 7 years before your death are exempt from IHT. Gifts made within 3 to 7 years of death qualify for taper relief, which reduces the tax rate gradually.
Defined contribution pensions held in trust typically sit outside your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes, allowing them to pass to nominated beneficiaries free from IHT.
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