HMRC today announced the latest Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts, within their wider tax receipts document > HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK (monthly bulletin) - GOV.UK

• IHT receipts for April to December 2024 are £6.3bn, which is £0.6bn higher than the same period last year.
• This continues the strong upward trajectory over the last few years.
• The current £325,000 nil rate band has been at that level since 2009. The residential nil rate band was introduced on a phased basis between 2017 and 2020 and potentially gives an additional £175,000 nil rate band (making a total of £500,000) subject to certain rules.

The Office for Budget Responsibility expect these numbers to continue rising as shown in the table below:

Andrew Tully, Technical Services Director at Nucleus said:

"IHT receipts continue to grow strongly with the OBR suggesting ongoing increases will continue over the next few years. OBR’s £8.3bn estimate for full year 2024/25 would be a 10.7% increase from last year. It suggests receipts will increase further in the years to come due to recent policy changes including limits to agricultural and business reliefs and extending the freeze in nil-rate bands to 2029/30. The Government’s consultation to include pensions within the estate for IHT purposes from April 2027 closes today and if that change proceeds it will help drive this further growth. OBR predict receipts will be nearly £14bn by 2029/30, around double the amount raised in 2022/23.
 
Advisers can help clients mitigate these taxes by setting up trusts and making use of gift allowances and the spousal exemption. Additionally, equalising assets between spouses & civil partners and making use of the “no gain no loss” disposal could mean all exemptions can be utilised and household income increased if there is a disparity in the rates of tax each spouse pays.”

HMRC today announced the latest Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) receipts, within their wider tax receipts document > HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK (monthly bulletin) - GOV.UK

Capital Gains Tax

The CGT figures are included within one figure representing Income Tax, CGT and National Insurance which are £226.8 bn, £6.2 bn higher than the same period last year.

Basic rate income taxpayers are typically subject to lower CGT rates: 10% on gains from most assets and 18% on residential property

For trusts, and for individuals who are subject to higher or additional rates of tax, the higher rates of CGT apply. 20% for most assets and 24% on residential property

Inheritance Tax

IHT receipts for April to September 2024 are £4.3 bn, which is £0.4 bn higher than the same period last year.

This continues the strong upward trajectory over the last few years

The current £325,000 nil rate band has been at that level since 2009. The residential nil rate band was introduced on a phased basis between 2017 and 2020 and potentially gives an additional £175,000 nil rate band (making a total of £500,000) subject to certain rules.

Andrew Tully, Technical Services Director at Nucleus said:

“While CGT is not individually specified within these figures, and the majority is paid in January as part of self-assessment, anecdotal evidence suggests more people are disposing of assets and realising gains in advance of the Budget on 30 October. CGT receipts are therefore likely to increase sharply this year. Growth in IHT receipts continues its upward trajectory following record highs in the last few years.
 
There are many rumours suggesting changes to both CGT and IHT within the forthcoming Budget. For IHT, changes could be made such as scrapping or updating the rules on agricultural land and business relief. Currently, a person can claim up to 100% relief on the inheritance of agricultural land if it is being actively farmed. This could be reduced, or certain limitations placed on the maximum value of the relief. Changes could also be made to the IHT benefits of holding shares on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). AIM shares need to qualify for Business Property Relief and be held for more than two years at the time of death to qualify for IHT exemption. However, this may run contrary to the desire to increase investment in UK businesses, to drive further growth.
 
Advisers can help clients mitigate these taxes by setting up trusts, making use of gift allowances, spousal exemption and using a pension to pass on wealth to family in a tax efficient way. Additionally, equalising assets between spouses & civil partners and making use of the “no gain no loss” disposal could mean all exemptions can be utilised and household income increased if there is a disparity in the rates of tax each spouse pays. Alternatively, people could hold assets within a tax-efficient wrapper such as an ISA, pension or bond.”

HMRC announced the latest Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts, within their wider tax receipts document. HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK (monthly bulletin) - GOV.UK

Total HMRC tax receipts for the April to May 2024 are £132.8 billion, which is £3.6 billion higher than last year.
Receipts were higher from Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs), business taxes and stamp taxes.

• Receipts were lower from VAT and fuel duty.

Inheritance Tax

• IHT receipts for April & May 2024 are £1.4 billion, which is £0.2 billion higher than the same period last year.

Andrew Tully, Technical Services Director at Nucleus said:
“These figures continue the strong upward trajectory in IHT receipts over the last few years. The current £325,000 nil rate band has been at that level since 2009. The residential nil rate band was introduced on a phased basis between 2017 and 2020 and potentially gives an additional £175,000 nil rate band (making a total of £500,000) subject to certain rules. Both are currently intended to be frozen until 2028. Given all of this the need for expert financial planning remains crucial.

“Advisers can help manage an estate by setting up trusts, making use of gift allowances, and using a pension to pass on wealth to family in a tax efficient way.”

HMRC today announced the latest Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts, within their wider tax receipts document: HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK (monthly bulletin) - GOV.UK.

• Total HMRC tax receipts for the 2023/24 tax year are £827.7 billion, which is £39.1 billion higher than last year
• Receipts were higher from Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs), business taxes and VAT
• Receipts were lower from stamp taxes and Tobacco.

Inheritance Tax

• IHT receipts for 2023/24 are a new record £7.5 billion, which is £0.4 billion higher than last year.
• This continues the strong upward trajectory over the last few years (see graph below).
• The current £325,000 nil rate band has been at that level since 2009. The residential nil rate band was introduced on a phased basis between 2017 and 2020 and potentially gives an additional £175,000 nil rate band (making a total of £500,000) subject to certain rules.
• Both are currently intended to be frozen until 2028.
• Given all of this the need for expert financial planning remains crucial.

Andrew Tully, Technical Services Director at Nucleus said: “These are record IHT receipts following on from previous record highs in each of the last two years. The Office of Budget Responsibility predicts the IHT take will be £9.7bn in 2028/29 which means the impact of this tax is set to continue growing strongly.

Advisers can help manage an estate by setting up trusts, making use of gift allowances, and using a pension to pass on wealth to family in a tax efficient way.”

The FCA today released its retirement income data for 2022/23 (Retirement income market data 2022/23 | FCA).

A summary of the data is detailed in the table below.

It shows:

• Slightly more pots (4.9% higher) were accessed for the first time in 2022/23 than in 2021/22 (739,535 vs 705,661).
• However the monetary value was down, suggesting more people took out slightly lower value withdrawals.
• The percentage of customers using the different solutions has remained broadly constant.
• In monetary terms the majority of funds go into drawdown.
• In customer numbers most take full cash withdrawals.
• Sales of annuities fell slightly, which is probably a surprise given rates have generally been good.
• The number of DB transfers continued to fall.

Andrew Tully, Technical Services Director at Nucleus Financial, said: “The effects of the cost-of-living crisis will unfortunately be felt for years to come, so it’s no surprise to see greater numbers of people making withdrawals from pensions than in the previous tax year. We have recently conducted some consumer research which revealed that 74% of UK adults cite ‘affordability’ as one of the issues that negatively affects their retirement confidence. That figure rises to 81% of those aged between 45-54. Many people need to access their pension while still working to pay unexpected bills or help wider family.

“Drawdown will remain the key retirement solution for many as it gives the flexibility to cope with changing needs in retirement. Given the ongoing freezing of the tax thresholds, being able to vary income to ensure it is taken as tax efficiently as possible is a key benefit. The increase in advised annuity sales isn’t a surprise given the significantly higher rates. But blending drawdown with a guaranteed income may give a better outcome than solely using an annuity.

“Given the range of retirement options available, it is important consumers get good advice at the point they first access their pensions savings and on an ongoing basis to work out the best options for their individual circumstances.

“Drawdown advice can be complex, covering areas such as the sustainability over a long time period; the ideal investment options; and tax advice, including how to pass on wealth efficiently to family. Advisers need to be clearly documenting their advice as that is one of the areas the FCA focused on during its retirement income advice review.”

HMRC has announced the latest Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts, within their wider tax receipts document. HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK (monthly bulletin) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Total HMRC tax receipts for April 2023 to January 2024 are £695.1 billion, which is £33.6 billion higher than the same period last year.
• IHT receipts for April 2023 to January 2024 are £6.3 billion, which is £0.4 billion higher than the same period last year
• This suggests last year’s record breaking IHT receipts of £7bn look set to be broken again, continuing the strong upward trajectory over the last few years (see graph below).
• The current £325,000 nil rate band has been at that level since 2009. The residential nil rate band was introduced on a phased basis between 2017 and 2020 and potentially gives an additional £175,000 nil rate band (making a total of £500,000) subject to certain rules.
• Both are currently intended to be frozen until 2028.
• There are rumours the Government may either scrap IHT entirely or cut the headline rate in the Budget on 6 March
• However, even if IHT were scrapped it is possible some tax would apply to assets passed on after death – for example, Capital Gains Tax.
• The Labour party has said that if it wins the election it would reverse any abolition of IHT.
• Given all of this the need for expert financial planning remains crucial.

Andrew Tully, Technical Services Director at Nucleus said: “It looks set to be another record-breaking year for IHT receipts. And with the Office of Budget Responsibility predicting the IHT take will be £8.4bn in 2027/28 receipts are set to continue growing strongly, despite slower house price growth, and may well exceed those OBR predictions, given this year’s receipt are on track for around £8bn.

There are rumours the Government may consider changes to, or even the abolition of, IHT. However, with the possibility of other taxes applying to assets passed on after death, and Labour saying it would reverse any abolition, the need to engage early with planning and advice is crucial. Advisers can help manage an estate by setting up trusts, making use of gift allowances, and using a pension to pass on wealth to family in a tax efficient way.”