Half of over-45s unaware their main property is subject to IHT

Three-quarters don’t know taxable threshold

Hannah Godfrey
clock • 2 min read

The lack of awareness around inheritance tax (IHT) in the UK has increased in the last year, with half (50%) of over-45s admitting to be unaware their main property could be subject to IHT.

According to Canada Life's latest edition of its annual report on IHT, the proportion of those unaware their main property may be subject to IHT has risen sharply from on-in-three (36%) a year ago. The lack of knowledge extends beyond property to other assets too: of the 1,002 UK consumers surveyed, more than three-fifths (62%) did not think their pension savings are subject to IHT, compared to 57% a year ago. Additionally, two-thirds (66%) were unaware agricultural land also carried IHT liabilities. Hear from Canada Life and dozens of other expert speakers at Professional Adviser's P...

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 Tax planning

Inheritance tax exemption threshold for farmers increased to £2.5m

Inheritance tax exemption threshold for farmers increased to £2.5m

Change takes effect from 6 April 2026

Isabel Baxter
clock 23 December 2025 • 2 min read
IHT receipts continue on path to record year

IHT receipts continue on path to record year

£5.8bn for first eight months of 2025/26

Jen Frost
clock 19 December 2025 • 2 min read
To 2p or not 2p: Income tax rate changes explained

To 2p or not 2p: Income tax rate changes explained

'Income tax rate changes, but not the ones we were expecting'

Julia Peake
clock 18 December 2025 • 6 min read