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Passing on Wealth without further Tax charges: over 55s risk falling prey to the inheritance ‘sibling tax-trap’ 

On 6th April 2017, a new additional main residence nil-rate band (RNRB) was introduced, which allows for less inheritance tax to be paid in situations when a family home is left to children, grandchildren or certain other ‘qualifying beneficiaries’ – including stepchildren and foster children.

But more than 1.7 million over 55’s could miss out because they’ve assigned their siblings to inherit their family home and not a direct descendant.

PASSING A FAMILY HOME TO SIBLINGS RATHER THAN TO CHILDREN OR OTHER DESCENDANTS

Money-Assets-House-Pound-SterlingResearch from the LV= independent legal service shows that one in ten over-55s (10%) have written their Will to pass their family home to their siblings rather than to their children or other descendants, which would lead them to be ineligible to utilise the additional RNRB. Previously, if an estate of a married couple was left to any descendant, anything above the £650,000 combined threshold (£325,000 allowance per individual) would have been taxed at 40% Inheritance Tax.

INHERITANCE TAX–FREE ALLOWANCE FOR THE FAMILY HOME

However, from 6 April 2017, the RNRB has been introduced with an RNRB of £100,000 per person, taking the total maximum individual personal allowance for Inheritance Tax from the current level of £325,000 to up to £425,000, or a total of up to £850,000 for married couples and registered civil partnerships.

LEAVING THE FAMILY ESTATE WITH AN INHERITANCE TAX LIABILITY

The allowance for the family home is set to increase by £25,000 per tax year, so by 6 April 2020 onwards a couple with a family home may potentially be able to leave their children or other direct descendants a combined estate of up to £1 million without any Inheritance Tax to pay. However, if the same couple were to leave their family estate to a sibling, the Inheritance Tax of 40% would apply on the difference between £650,000 and £1 million, leaving an Inheritance Tax bill of up to £140,000.

YOU MAY NEED TO AMEND YOUR WILL

The majority of the people surveyed (72%) don’t know of or understand the changes that have come into force in this new tax year. If appropriate, you may need to amend your Will to ensure your estate can benefit from the increased allowance. Even among those who do know about the changes, half (53%) didn’t realise that the increased tax-free amount can apply to cash proceeds from the sale of the home if you downsize or have to go into care.

WELL-THOUGHT-OUT ESTATE PLAN

advising_senior_couple_monkeybusinessimagesWorse still, many people living ‘as married’ with partners – who would want their wealth passed to each other – don’t have Wills (44%). Therefore, unless assets are jointly owned as ‘joint tenants’, their estate will pass to their children who would have no obligation to provide anything to their father or mother’s partner. It has never been more important to have a well-thought-out estate plan, complete with an appropriate Will and supporting documentation, to ensure your assets can pass to your loved ones in a tax-efficient manner.

COULD YOU FALL PREY TO THE SIBLING TRAP?

This increased Inheritance Tax allowance is a boost to those who’ve seen their homes rise in value and want to be able to pass on this wealth without further tax charges, but it’s crucial that they don’t fall prey to the sibling trap. The RNRB rules can be complex. Getting the right professional advice and amending your Will could take a few hours, but with potential to save a lot of money it’s time well spent.

Why not drop us a message and we can talk you through how we can help you to develop the right plan for your savings and investments?

Who are Vizion Wealth?

vw-portrait-blue-dark-grey-light-grey-ifa-and-wealth-final_edited-2Our approach to financial planning is simple, our clients are our number one priority and we ensure all our advice, strategies and services are tailored to the specific individual to best meet their longer term financial goals and aspirations. We understand that everyone is unique. We understand that wealth means different things to different people and each client will require a different strategy to build wealth, use and enjoy it during their lifetimes and to protect it for family and loved ones in the future.

All of us at Vizion Wealth are committed to our client’s financial success and would like to have an opportunity to review your individual wealth goals. To find out more, get in touch with us – we very much look forward to hearing from you.

DISCLAIMER:

This blog and its attachments or links should not be relied upon as advice, except to the extent that advice is set out in an attached bespoke Suitability Letter. Information is based on our current understanding of taxation legislation and regulations. Any levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are subject to change. The value of investments and income from them may go down. You may not get back the original amount invested.Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

LEVELS, BASES OF AND RELIEFS FROM TAXATION MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, AND THEIR VALUE DEPENDS ON THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE INVESTOR.

Posted by Andrew Flowers

Andrew is the managing partner of Vizion Wealth and has been involved in the offshore and onshore financial services industry for over 18 years. Andrew was the driving force behind Vizion Wealth after years of experience in a number of advisory roles within high profile wealth management, private banking and independent financial advisory firms in the UK.

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