Emma Gadsden: Can IHT be made 'fit for purpose'?

Office for Tax Simplification review

clock • 4 min read

With the Office for Tax Simplification launching a wide-ranging consultation into inheritance tax, Emma Gadsden runs through the various issues likely to be of interest to advisers and their clients

Inheritance tax (IHT) has been around for more than 300 years. In its current form, it replaced the old Capital Transfer Tax, which had been developed with a philosophical basis - to protect the poor by deliberately redistributing inherited wealth through taxation. This January, Chancellor Philip Hammond described the current IHT system as "particularly complex" and asked the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS) to review it. In a letter to the OTS, he wrote: "I would be most interested to hear any proposals you may have for simplification, to ensure that the system is fit for purpose and...

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

Changes to agricultural and business relief explained

Changes to agricultural and business relief explained

Government will publish a technical consultation in early 2025

Julia Peake
clock 11 December 2024 • 4 min read
Pension death tax – fair game?

Pension death tax – fair game?

Government took steps to reset the purpose of a pension

Lee Halpin
clock 11 December 2024 • 4 min read
Navigating the new pension and IHT terrain: Implications from the 2024 Budget

Navigating the new pension and IHT terrain: Implications from the 2024 Budget

New regulations create a more nuanced environment

Stephen Ford
clock 09 December 2024 • 5 min read