Budget 2011: IHT slashed by 10% for charity gifts

IHT is currently charged at 40% on estates worth more than £325,000, the nil-rate band, following their owner's death. It is also levied on assets transferred in the preceding seven years. But the 10% discount is taken off of the current 40% tax rate, meaning an actual reduced tax rate of 36%. The nil-rate band can still be transferred to the surviving spouse, creating a combined tax-free allowance of £650,000. Darling froze this threshold for four years in March 2010's budget.