IHT rules remain unclear to consumers, research finds

Zurich research reveals confusion

Jenna Brown
clock • 2 min read

Some 40% of people do not know how much money can be passed on free of inheritance tax (IHT), research from Zurich has found.

Statistics from the provider also showed 36% of over 55s did not know how much they would be able to pass on. It said making sense of the complicated IHT rulebook was "tricky" and challenging in the wake of losing a loved one. Married couples and civil partners can pass their estate to their spouse tax-free when they die. An annual tax gift allowance of £3,000 per person (for the year 2018/19) means money can also be given away to children. For larger sums, the individual must live seven years after making that gift for it to remain tax-free. However, the research found 84% of p...

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