2025/26 Tax Year
Calculate UK IHT on your estate. Covers nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band, spouse exemption, 7-year gifts and charity relief.
Enter your estate details and hit Calculate Inheritance Tax to see your estimated IHT bill and full breakdown.
| Allowance | Per person | Married couple |
|---|---|---|
| Nil-rate band (NRB) | £325,000 | £650,000 |
| Residence nil-rate band (RNRB) | £175,000 | £350,000 |
| Combined maximum threshold | £500,000 | £1,000,000 |
RNRB applies only when a main residence is left to direct descendants. Tapers by £1 for every £2 of estate above £2,000,000.
| Rate | When it applies |
|---|---|
| 0% | Estate below threshold (NRB + RNRB) |
| 40% | Standard rate on estate above threshold |
| 36% | Reduced rate when ≥10% of net estate left to charity |
| 0% | Spouse / civil partner exemption (unlimited) |
The standard nil-rate band (NRB) is £325,000 — unchanged since 2009 and frozen until at least April 2030. If you own a home and leave it to your children or grandchildren, you also qualify for the residence nil-rate band (RNRB) of up to £175,000. Together, a single person can pass on up to £500,000 tax-free. A married couple or civil partners can combine both allowances, sheltering up to £1,000,000.
Gifts made to individuals within 7 years of death are called potentially exempt transfers (PETs). They are added back to your estate and reduce your nil-rate band, potentially triggering or increasing an IHT liability. Gifts made more than 7 years before death fall completely outside your estate. Taper relief reduces the effective rate on gifts made between 3 and 7 years before death — but the full nil-rate band reduction still applies, so taper relief only helps when the gift itself exceeds the NRB. Small annual gifts of up to £3,000 per year are always exempt and are not included in this calculator.
Yes. If at least 10% of your net estate is left to UK-registered charities, the IHT rate on the remainder drops from 40% to 36%. The "net estate" is the estate after deducting liabilities and the nil-rate band, before IHT. In some cases, leaving a relatively small extra amount to charity can reduce the IHT bill enough that your beneficiaries actually receive more — this calculator shows you the effective saving when the 10% threshold is met.
The nil-rate band is £325,000. With the residence nil-rate band of £175,000 (when leaving a home to direct descendants), a single person can pass on up to £500,000 tax-free. A married couple can pass on up to £1,000,000.
Up to £1,000,000 — two nil-rate bands (2 × £325,000) plus two residence nil-rate bands (2 × £175,000). The unused allowances of a deceased spouse transfer automatically to the surviving spouse.
Gifts to individuals made within 7 years of death are added back to your estate and reduce your nil-rate band. Gifts made more than 7 years before death are fully exempt. Annual gifts up to £3,000 are always exempt.
An additional £175,000 allowance (£350,000 for couples) when you leave your main home to direct descendants. It tapers by £1 for every £2 of estate above £2,000,000, disappearing at estates above £2,350,000 (or £2,700,000 for couples).
Yes. If at least 10% of your net estate goes to qualifying charities, the IHT rate drops from 40% to 36% on the rest. This can mean your beneficiaries receive more even after the charitable donation.
No. Inheritance received is not subject to income tax. However, income generated from inherited assets (rent, interest, dividends) is taxable in the normal way. IHT itself is paid by the estate before distribution.
IHT rates and thresholds are for the 2025/26 tax year. The nil-rate band (£325,000) and residence nil-rate band (£175,000) are frozen until April 2030. This calculator covers standard IHT rules and does not account for business property relief, agricultural property relief, or complex trust structures. For personalised advice, consult a qualified financial adviser or solicitor.