Inheritance tax receipts jump 11% even before Autumn Budget overhaul

Official figures show inheritance tax receipts are rising even before the chancellor’s changes to reliefs

tax bags on piles of cash
(Image credit: Getty Images/William Potter)

HMRC started the tax year with an inheritance tax (IHT) receipt boost, official data shows.

The previous tax year was already a record high for IHT receipts and the intake rose to £5 billion – up 11% annually – between April and October 2024.

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She announced in the Autumn Budget that the freeze on IHT thresholds at £325,000 would remain for a further two years until 2030.

Agricultural and business property relief are to be reformed, meaning that from April 2026, the first £1 million of qualifying combined assets will have no inheritance tax at all but anything above that will get 50% relief, with the rest taxed at 20%.

“Inheritance tax was already an absolute cash cow for the government,” says Alex Davies, chief executive of Wealth Club.

“The extreme changes announced in last month’s Budget which badly affect farmers, business owners, pension policyholders and investors, mean these figures are only going to increase over the coming years.”

How to reduce your IHT bill

Wealthy individuals will need to rethink their approach to IHT planning in the coming years, particularly as AIM shares and pensions will eventually no longer be exempt.

You could still invest in an AIM ISA, which will be IHT-free, as are other savings in the tax wrapper.

Currently, AIM shares outside an ISA would be IHT-free after two years but from April 2026 they will be taxed at a rate of 20%.

Other options to avoid IHT include giving money away early by making gifts to loved ones.

You can give unlimited amounts but typically these take seven years to be completely free of IHT.

Spouses can share allowances, so you can pass assets to a husband, wife or civil partner tax-free.

Griffin adds: “These various changes are likely to drive greater urgency in estate planning, as taxpayers seek to navigate a landscape where traditional reliefs and exemptions are gradually eroded and new financial plans need to be laid.”

Marc Shoffman
Contributing editor

Marc Shoffman is an award-winning freelance journalist specialising in business, personal finance and property. His work has appeared in print and online publications ranging from FT Business to The Times, Mail on Sunday and the i newspaper. He also co-presents the In For A Penny financial planning podcast.