IHT receipts up 54% year-on-year in April and May

£5m in tax receipts

clock • 1 min read

Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts for April and May 2021 were more than 50% higher than the same two months in 2020, according to the latest data from HM Revenue & Customs.

HMRC said the 54% year-on-year hike could be the result of"high volumes of wealth transfers that took place during the Covid-19 pandemic". That said, the taxman could not verify that theory until more data becomes available. The data also revealed full-year IHT receipts of £5,326 million for 2020-2021. A £204 million increase from the year before. In the Spring budget earlier this year, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak imposed tax freezes on both inheritance and capital gains tax until 2026, which some have referred to as a ‘stealth' mechanism that will see IHT bills increas...

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 Investment

Risk Warning Review plans aim to address 'negative framing' of investing

Risk Warning Review plans aim to address 'negative framing' of investing

Lowest investment rate in G7

Alex Sebastian
clock 09 April 2026 • 2 min read
Equity fund outflows hit £1.44bn during war-torn March

Equity fund outflows hit £1.44bn during war-torn March

Calastone Fund Flow index shows

Professional Adviser
clock 09 April 2026 • 2 min read
Quality investing: Holding conviction when markets test investors

Quality investing: Holding conviction when markets test investors

Quality investors have no doubt had their conviction 'severely tested' of late

Scott Spencer
clock 31 March 2026 • 5 min read