Chancellor raises inheritance tax threshold to £1m

clock

George Osborne has confirmed the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold will increase to £1m for couples funded by a pension tax relief cut for people earning more than £150,000.

Osborne said the threshold at which the IHT is levied will rise for couples from £650,000 after April 2017. Currently, IHT applies at 40% on estates above a tax-free allowance of £325,000 per person. The Conservatives pledged in their election manifesto that, from April 2017, parents would each be offered a further - and transferable - £175,000 "family home allowance". "Promise made, promise delivered," said Osborne. He added passing on wealth to your children was "about the most basic aspiration there is". Under the new rules, a couple with a house worth £1m will be able to pas...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

Senior pension figures question HMRC's 7.7 million salary sacrifice uptake figure

Senior pension figures question HMRC's 7.7 million salary sacrifice uptake figure

‘It doesn't take much of an error in those figures to have no benefit whatsoever’

Jenna Brown
clock 15 December 2025 • 8 min read
FCA launches consultation on adapting to a 'changing pensions market'

FCA launches consultation on adapting to a 'changing pensions market'

Outlines regime for digital pension planning tool

Holly Roach
clock 11 December 2025 • 3 min read
Lack of focus delaying pension transfers, Origo CEO warns

Lack of focus delaying pension transfers, Origo CEO warns

Advisers share months-long delays as PensionBee’s petition calls for ten-day transfer guarantee

Sahar Nazir
clock 11 December 2025 • 6 min read