Inheritance Tax Calculator UK — Know Your Estate Tax Liability
Calculate potential Inheritance Tax on your estate in the UK. Understand the nil-rate band residence nil-rate band and available exemptions to minimize.
Inheritance Tax is charged at 40% on estates above the nil-rate band of £325000 in the UK. However with the residence nil-rate band of £175000 for property left to direct descendants the effective threshold rises to £500000 per person or £1 million for married couples. Understanding available exemptions and reliefs is crucial for estate planning to minimize the IHT burden on your beneficiaries.
How much is inheritance tax on £500000?
For a single person with a £500000 estate including their home left to children: the nil-rate band of £325000 plus residence nil-rate band of £175000 = £500000 threshold. IHT would be £0. However without property or if not left to direct descendants only the £325000 nil-rate applies and IHT would be 40% of £175000 = £70000.
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Inheritance Tax Calculator UK
How Tax Calculation Works
Income tax is calculated on your total taxable income after deducting eligible exemptions and deductions from your gross income. The tax is applied progressively — you pay a lower rate on initial income slabs and higher rates only on income that exceeds each threshold. This means moving into a "higher tax bracket" does not mean your entire income is taxed at the higher rate. Understanding marginal vs effective tax rate is crucial: your marginal rate applies only to the last rupee earned, while your effective rate is the average across all slabs.
Tax-Saving Strategies
Under the old regime, maximize deductions: Section 80C allows up to Rs 1.5 lakh through PPF, ELSS, EPF, and life insurance. Section 80D covers health insurance premiums up to Rs 25,000 (Rs 50,000 for senior citizens). Section 80CCD(1B) offers an additional Rs 50,000 deduction for NPS contributions. Home loan interest up to Rs 2 lakh is deductible under Section 24. Under the new regime, the Rs 75,000 standard deduction and lower slab rates may save you more if your total deductions are below Rs 3.75 lakh. Calculate under both regimes before choosing.
Key Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Nil-Rate Band | £325000 |
| Residence Nil-Rate Band | £175000 (for property to children) |
| Combined Threshold (married) | £1000000 |
| IHT Rate | 40% on amount above threshold |
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Use Calculator NowFrequently Asked Questions
How much is inheritance tax on £500000?
For a single person with a £500000 estate including their home left to children: the nil-rate band of £325000 plus residence nil-rate band of £175000 = £500000 threshold. IHT would be £0. However without property or if not left to direct descendants only the £325000 nil-rate applies and IHT would be 40% of £175000 = £70000.
How to reduce inheritance tax UK?
Transfer assets using the annual gift exemption of £3000 per year. Make gifts from surplus income which are immediately IHT-free. Leave 10%+ of your estate to charity to reduce the IHT rate from 40% to 36%. Use trusts for assets above your nil-rate band. Take out a life insurance policy written in trust to cover the expected IHT bill so beneficiaries receive the full estate.
Do married couples pay inheritance tax?
Transfers between married couples and civil partners are completely IHT-exempt regardless of amount. When the first spouse dies their unused nil-rate band transfers to the surviving spouse. This means the survivor can have a combined nil-rate band of £650000 plus £350000 residence nil-rate = £1 million. This effectively means most married couples estates under £1 million pay zero IHT.
What are the UK income tax bands for 2025-26?
Personal Allowance: £0-£12,570 (0%). Basic rate: £12,571-£50,270 (20%). Higher rate: £50,271-£125,140 (40%). Additional rate: over £125,140 (45%). The personal allowance reduces by £1 for every £2 earned over £100,000, creating an effective 60% rate between £100,000-£125,140.
What is the £100,000 tax trap?
When your income exceeds £100,000, you lose £1 of personal allowance for every £2 over. This creates a hidden 60% effective tax rate between £100,000-£125,140. Pension contributions are the most effective way to bring your income below this threshold and reclaim the allowance.
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Last updated: March 2026