UK Inheritance Tax Calculator 2026/27

Calculate Inheritance Tax (IHT) on UK estates using the 2026/27 rules. Includes the £325,000 nil rate band, £175,000 residence nil rate band, spouse/civil partner exemption, taper relief on gifts, and reduced 36% rate for charitable donations.

What is Inheritance Tax?

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax on the estate of someone who has died. In the UK, IHT is charged at 40% on the value of your estate above certain thresholds. Most estates pass tax-free because of the nil rate band (£325,000) and the residence nil rate band (£175,000 if you leave your home to direct descendants). Married couples and civil partners can pass their estate to each other completely tax-free, and any unused allowances can be transferred.

Key 2026/27 rates: Nil rate band £325,000 (0%), Residence nil rate band £175,000 (0%), Standard IHT rate 40%, Reduced rate 36% if 10%+ left to charity. Gifts within 7 years of death are subject to taper relief.

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UK Inheritance Tax Calculator 2026/27 — IHT Planning

Free UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculator for the 2026/27 tax year. Calculate IHT with nil rate band, residence nil rate band, taper relief, and charity relief.

Total Estate£500,000
Nil Rate Band£325,000
Residence NRB£175,000
Total Allowances£500,000
Taxable Estate£0
IHT Bill at 40% rate£0
Effective Rate0.00%
Net to Heirs£500,000

Estate Distribution

How UK Inheritance Tax works

Everyone has a nil rate band of £325,000 — no IHT is due on the first £325,000 of your estate. If you own a home and leave it to your children or grandchildren, you also get a residence nil rate band of £175,000. Combined, a single person can pass on up to £500,000 tax-free, and a couple can pass on up to £1 million by transferring unused allowances.

Reduced rate for charitable giving

If you leave at least 10% of your net estate (after deducting the nil rate bands) to charity, the IHT rate on the entire estate drops from 40% to 36%. This can significantly reduce the tax bill while supporting causes you care about.

Taper relief on gifts

Gifts made within 7 years of death are added back to your estate for IHT purposes. However, taper relief reduces the tax payable on gifts made 3–7 years before death: 20% off for 3–4 years, 40% off for 4–5 years, 60% off for 5–6 years, and 80% off for 6–7 years. Gifts made more than 7 years before death are exempt.

Related Resources

UK Take-Home Pay → UK Stamp Duty → US Estate Tax →