How to Reduce Inheritance Tax Legally in the UK

David had built a successful business and owned a £900,000 home in Surrey. At 58, with two adult children, he assumed his estate would pass smoothly to his family.

Then his accountant gave him devastating news: without proper planning, his family would face a £230,000 inheritance tax bill—money that would force them to sell the family home.

David isn't alone. HMRC collected £8.2 billion in inheritance tax in 2024-25, a 10.8% increase from the previous year. With frozen thresholds until 2030 and rising property prices, more families are being dragged into the inheritance tax net every year.

But here's the crucial truth: inheritance tax is largely avoidable with proper planning. Currently only 4.6% of UK estates pay inheritance tax (31,500 out of 683,000 deaths in 2022-23), yet those that do lose 40% of everything above £325,000. The difference between the two groups isn't wealth—it's planning.

This comprehensive guide reveals 10 proven, entirely legal strategies to reduce your inheritance tax liability, potentially saving your family tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Important: This article provides general information about inheritance tax planning strategies and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently, and your personal circumstances are unique. For advice specific to your individual situation, please consult a qualified solicitor, tax advisor, or financial planner.

Understanding Your Inheritance Tax Position

Before you can reduce your inheritance tax, you need to understand if you'll actually pay it and how much.

The basic calculation is straightforward. Take your estate value (everything you own minus debts), subtract the available thresholds, and multiply the remainder by 40%. That's your potential inheritance tax bill.

Current Thresholds for 2025

As of 2025, the nil-rate band is £325,000 and the residence nil-rate band is £175,000. This means individuals can potentially pass up to £500,000 tax-free (£1 million for married couples or civil partners).

But there's a catch. The £325,000 nil-rate band has been frozen since 2009 and won't increase until at least 2030. Meanwhile, property values continue climbing, pushing more estates over the threshold.

The Residence Nil-Rate Band Taper

If your estate exceeds £2 million, you lose £1 of residence nil-rate band for every £2 over the threshold. This means estates worth £2.35 million or more lose the residence nil-rate band entirely.

A Real Example

Emma owns a £300,000 home and has £450,000 in savings, investments, and pension funds. Her total estate: £750,000.

After her £325,000 nil-rate band and £175,000 residence nil-rate band (assuming she leaves her home to direct descendants), she has £250,000 subject to inheritance tax. At 40%, that's a £100,000 tax bill.

Without planning, Emma's family loses £100,000 to tax. With the strategies below, she could reduce this substantially—perhaps to zero.

Coming Changes Warning

From April 2027, pensions will be included in inheritance tax calculations. The government estimates this will push the percentage of estates paying inheritance tax to around 10% by 2030.

If you're reading this and your estate exceeds £500,000 (or £1 million for couples), you need a strategy. Here are 10 proven ways to protect your family's inheritance.

Strategy 1: The 7-Year Gifting Rule

The most powerful inheritance tax planning tool is giving money away during your lifetime and surviving 7 years.

Here's the core principle: gifts made more than 7 years before death are completely free from inheritance tax. This simple rule can save your family tens of thousands of pounds.

How It Works

When you give a substantial gift (anything over your annual exemptions), it's called a "potentially exempt transfer." If you survive for 7 years after making the gift, it drops out of your estate entirely. No inheritance tax, no questions asked.

If you die within 7 years, the gift may be subject to tax—but even then, taper relief can reduce the amount.

Taper Relief Rates

The tax rate depends on how many years you survived after making the gift:

3-4 years before death: 32% tax rate (80% of full rate)
4-5 years before death: 24% tax rate (60% of full rate)
5-6 years before death: 16% tax rate (40% of full rate)
6-7 years before death: 8% tax rate (20% of full rate)
7+ years before death: 0% tax rate (no tax)

Important caveat: taper relief only applies if the total value of gifts exceeds the £325,000 nil-rate band.

Real Example

Sarah, 62, gives her daughter £200,000 to help buy a house in 2025. Sarah lives until 2032 (7 years later).

That £200,000 is completely outside Sarah's estate. If Sarah's estate would otherwise face 40% inheritance tax, this single gift saves her family £80,000.

Even if Sarah had died in 2030 (5 years after the gift), taper relief would reduce the tax from £80,000 to £32,000—still a £48,000 saving.

Important Restrictions

You can't give away assets while continuing to benefit from them. This is called a "gift with reservation."

For example, you can't give your house to your children but continue living in it rent-free. HMRC would still count it as part of your estate.

Strategic Timing

The sooner you start gifting, the better. Every year earlier you make a gift increases the likelihood you'll survive the full 7 years.

Document all substantial gifts with dates and values. Your executors will need this information when settling your estate.

Strategy 2: Use Your Annual Gift Exemptions

You don't have to wait 7 years for all gifts. UK law provides several annual exemptions that allow immediate inheritance-tax-free gifting.

The £3,000 Annual Exemption

Every tax year, you can give away £3,000 completely free from inheritance tax. This applies immediately—no 7-year wait required.

You can split this £3,000 among multiple people or give it all to one person. It's entirely your choice.

Even better: if you didn't use your full £3,000 allowance last year, you can carry it forward one year. This means you could potentially gift £6,000 this year if you didn't gift anything last year.

The £250 Small Gifts Exemption

You can give up to £250 to as many different people as you want in a single tax year. There's no limit on the number of recipients.

The catch: you can't combine this with other exemptions for the same person. If you've given someone part of your £3,000 annual exemption, you can't also give them £250 under the small gifts rule.

Wedding and Civil Partnership Gifts

Special occasion, special rules:

Parents can give £5,000 to a child getting married or entering a civil partnership
Grandparents can give £2,500 to a grandchild
Anyone else can give £1,000

These gifts must be made before or on the wedding day to qualify.

Regular Gifts From Income

This is the most overlooked exemption—and potentially the most valuable.

You can make regular gifts of any amount, completely free from inheritance tax, if they meet three conditions:

They're made from your surplus income (not capital)
They're part of your normal expenditure
They don't affect your standard of living

Real Example

Michael, 55, earns £80,000 per year. After paying all his living expenses (mortgage, bills, holidays, savings for retirement), he has £2,000 per month in surplus income.

He sets up standing orders of £500 per month to each of his four children (£24,000 per year total).

Because these gifts come from surplus income, they're completely inheritance-tax-free immediately. No 7-year wait, no limit on the total amount.

The key is keeping records. HMRC provides form IHT403 to document regular gifts from income.

Strategic Combination

You can use multiple exemptions in the same year. Give £3,000 using your annual exemption, £250 each to your grandchildren, £5,000 as a wedding gift to your daughter, and £1,500 per month from surplus income to your son.

All of these gifts are immediately outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes.

Strategy 3: Maximize Your Nil-Rate Bands

Married couples and civil partners have a unique advantage: they can combine their allowances to pass up to £1 million inheritance-tax-free.

How Transferable Allowances Work

When the first spouse or civil partner dies, any unused percentage of their nil-rate band transfers to the survivor.

The same applies to the residence nil-rate band, which provides an additional £175,000 when you pass your main home to direct descendants (children, grandchildren, or step-children).

Here's the powerful part: these allowances are transferable as percentages, not fixed amounts.

A Real Example

James and Sarah are married with £950,000 in assets, including a £500,000 home they plan to leave to their two children.

James dies first in 2020, leaving everything to Sarah. Because of the spousal exemption, no inheritance tax is due when James dies.

More importantly, James used 0% of his nil-rate bands (because everything went to Sarah tax-free). This means 100% of his allowances transfer to Sarah.

When Sarah dies in 2025, she has:

Her own nil-rate band: £325,000
James's transferred nil-rate band: £325,000
Her own residence nil-rate band: £175,000
James's transferred residence nil-rate band: £175,000
Total: £1,000,000 inheritance-tax-free

With an estate of £950,000, their children inherit everything without paying a penny in inheritance tax.

The Residence Nil-Rate Band Requirements

To claim the residence nil-rate band, you must pass your main home to direct descendants. This includes:

Children (including adopted and step-children)
Grandchildren
Great-grandchildren

It does not include siblings, nieces, nephews, or unrelated beneficiaries.

The Downsizing Provision

What if you sell your family home or move to a smaller property?

The downsizing provision protects your residence nil-rate band if you downsize or sell your home after 6 July 2015, provided you leave assets of equivalent value to direct descendants.

The Critical Importance of a Will

This strategy only works with a properly structured will. Without a will, intestacy rules decide everything, and you may accidentally waste valuable nil-rate bands.

Creating a will with WUHLD ensures you preserve these allowances and clearly name your beneficiaries. Learn more about why having a valid will is essential for inheritance tax planning.

Strategy 4: Leave 10% to Charity for a Reduced Rate

Here's a counterintuitive strategy: leaving 10% of your estate to charity can mean your family receives more money.

How the Reduced Rate Works

Normally, inheritance tax is charged at 40% on everything above your nil-rate bands.

But if you leave at least 10% of your "net estate" (your estate after debts, exemptions, and nil-rate bands) to a registered charity, the rate drops to 36%.

This 4 percentage point reduction means the government effectively funds 75% of your charitable gift.

A Worked Example

Margaret has an £800,000 estate and is single with no children. After her £325,000 nil-rate band, she has £475,000 subject to inheritance tax.

Scenario A: No charitable gift

Taxable estate: £475,000
Tax at 40%: £190,000
Residue to beneficiaries: £610,000

Scenario B: 10% to charity

Calculate 10% of net estate: £47,500 (10% of £475,000)
Charitable gift: £47,500
Remaining taxable estate: £427,500
Tax at 36%: £153,900
Residue to beneficiaries: £598,600
Total received by beneficiaries and charity: £646,100

In Scenario B, Cancer Research UK receives £47,500, but Margaret's family only gives up £11,400 (£610,000 - £598,600) because of the reduced rate.

The charity receives £47,500, and the family receives £598,600—together totaling £46,100 more than under Scenario A.

How to Structure the Gift

You can leave a charitable legacy as either:

A specific amount ("£50,000 to Cancer Research UK")
A percentage of your residuary estate ("10% of my remaining estate to Cancer Research UK")

The percentage approach automatically adjusts if your estate value changes.

Choosing Qualifying Charities

The charity must be registered in the UK or be a qualifying overseas charity. Most major UK charities qualify, including medical research organizations, hospices, educational institutions, and environmental groups.

This strategy works best if you were planning to support charitable causes anyway. It creates a win-win: your chosen cause benefits, and your family pays less tax.

Strategy 5: Write Life Insurance Into Trust

If you have life insurance, failing to write it into trust could cost your family tens of thousands of pounds.

The Problem

Life insurance payouts normally become part of your estate. If your estate faces inheritance tax, 40% of your life insurance goes to HMRC instead of your family.

Consider the irony: you bought life insurance to protect your family, but 40% goes to tax.

The Solution

Writing your life insurance policy "in trust" means the payout goes directly to your nominated beneficiaries outside your estate. No inheritance tax, no probate delay.

How Much This Saves

Robert has a £600,000 estate and £300,000 in life insurance.

Without trust:

Total estate (including insurance): £900,000
After nil-rate bands: £575,000 taxable
Inheritance tax at 40%: £230,000
Family receives: £670,000

With life insurance in trust:

Estate for inheritance tax: £600,000
After nil-rate bands: £275,000 taxable
Inheritance tax at 40%: £110,000
Plus insurance payout (outside estate): £300,000
Family receives: £790,000

By writing his £300,000 life insurance into trust, Robert saves his family £120,000 in inheritance tax.

Additional Benefits

Beyond inheritance tax savings, life insurance trusts provide:

Faster access to funds: Beneficiaries receive money within weeks, not months waiting for probate
Liquidity to pay inheritance tax: The inheritance tax bill on other assets must be paid within 6 months—life insurance provides immediate cash
Protection from creditors: Assets in trust are generally protected from your creditors

Types of Trusts for Life Insurance

Absolute trust: You nominate specific beneficiaries who will definitely receive the payout. Simple and straightforward.

Discretionary trust: Trustees decide how to distribute the payout among a class of beneficiaries. More flexible but slightly more complex.

When to Set This Up

Ideally, arrange this when you first take out your life insurance policy. However, most existing policies can be transferred into trust at any time.

The best part: this is usually a free service offered by your insurance provider. Contact them to request the appropriate trust forms.

Strategy 6: Consider Using Trusts for Assets

Trusts are among the most powerful inheritance tax planning tools—but they're also the most complex.

Important: Trust law is intricate, and different types of trusts have different tax implications. Setting up a trust should only be done with professional legal advice from a qualified solicitor specializing in estate planning. This section provides general information only and should not be relied upon as advice for your situation.

What Is a Trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement where you (the "settlor") transfer assets to trustees, who hold them for the benefit of your chosen beneficiaries.

For inheritance tax purposes, assets transferred to trust—and surviving 7 years—are outside your estate. The 7-year rule applies, just like direct gifts.

Types of Trusts for Inheritance Tax Planning

Bare or absolute trusts: Beneficiaries have an immediate right to the assets. Simpler structure with straightforward tax treatment.

Discretionary trusts: Trustees have discretion over when and how to distribute assets to beneficiaries. More flexible but subject to periodic tax charges.

Interest in possession trusts: A beneficiary has the right to trust income but not capital. Useful for second marriages where you want to provide for a surviving spouse while protecting capital for children.

When Trusts Are Useful

Trusts make sense for:

Protecting assets for vulnerable beneficiaries who can't manage money
Second marriages where you want to provide for your spouse while ensuring children from your first marriage inherit
Controlling the timing of distributions (e.g., children inherit at age 25, not 18)
Business assets requiring specialist management
Very large estates with complex tax planning needs

Trust Tax Implications

Discretionary trusts face:

Anniversary charges: Every 10 years, up to 6% tax on trust value
Exit charges: When assets leave the trust

These charges can erode the inheritance tax savings if not carefully planned.

CRITICAL: April 2026 Business and Agricultural Relief Changes

If you own business assets or farmland, pay close attention.

Currently, qualifying business assets and agricultural land receive 100% inheritance tax relief. A £2 million unquoted trading company shares: zero inheritance tax.

From 6 April 2026, this changes dramatically:

First £1 million of combined business/agricultural assets: 100% relief (no tax)
Amounts over £1 million: 50% relief (effective 20% tax rate)

Strategic Timing for Business Owners

Sophie owns shares in an unquoted trading company worth £2 million.

Under current rules (before April 2026):

100% business property relief
Inheritance tax: £0

Under new rules (from April 2026):

First £1 million: 100% relief = £0 tax
Second £1 million: 50% relief = £500,000 taxable at 40% = £200,000 tax
Total inheritance tax liability: £200,000

Sophie should consult a specialist estate planning solicitor before April 2026 about transferring business assets into trust to maximize current relief levels.

Professional Advice Essential

If you're considering trusts, don't DIY. Mistakes can be expensive and may trigger immediate tax charges.

Spending £1,500-£3,000 on specialist legal advice can save £50,000-£200,000 in tax. For complex estates, this is money well spent.

Strategy 7: Spend It While You're Alive

The simplest inheritance tax strategy is often overlooked: spend your money on yourself.

The Obvious Truth

Money you spend on your lifestyle isn't in your estate to be taxed. It's that simple.

Spending on reasonable lifestyle expenses is completely legitimate inheritance tax planning. There's no rule that says you must impoverish yourself to maximize your children's inheritance.

What Counts as Reasonable Spending

HMRC accepts spending on:

Holidays and travel experiences
Home improvements and renovations
Hobbies and personal interests
Helping family with living costs (within annual exemptions)
Education fees for grandchildren
Quality care in later life

The Balancing Act

Don't give away so much that you compromise your own financial security.

Many people will need significant care funding later in life. Care home costs can easily exceed £1,000 per week (£50,000+ per year). Maintain a financial buffer for unexpected needs.

A Real Example

Peter and Helen have an £850,000 estate. They're both 68 and in good health.

They decide to spend £100,000 on:

A round-the-world cruise (£25,000)
Converting their loft into a home office and guest room (£45,000)
Helping three grandchildren with university costs (£10,000 each)

Their estate reduces to £750,000, saving their family £40,000 in inheritance tax (40% of £100,000).

More importantly, Peter and Helen enjoyed spending the money. They saw their grandchildren benefit while they were alive to appreciate it.

The Psychological Benefit

There's genuine value in seeing your family benefit from your generosity while you're alive. You experience the joy of giving, and they receive help when they often need it most (buying first homes, raising young children, starting businesses).

Equity Release Option

If your wealth is tied up in your home, equity release allows you to access property wealth while continuing to live there.

Carefully consider the interest costs and impact on your estate, but for some people, this provides funds for enjoyment or gifting while reducing inheritance tax liability.

Strategy 8: Make Pension Contributions (Before 2027)

Pension inheritance tax treatment is changing dramatically in April 2027. If you're reading this before then, you have a time-limited opportunity.

Important: Pension inheritance tax rules are changing from April 2027. The information in this section reflects announced changes as of October 2025, but implementation details may be subject to further updates. Consult a financial advisor for current guidance.

Current Position (Until 6 April 2027)

Right now, unused pension funds pass outside your estate with no inheritance tax.

The tax treatment depends on your age at death:

Death before age 75: Beneficiaries receive pension tax-free
Death after age 75: Beneficiaries pay income tax at their marginal rate

Either way, there's no inheritance tax on the pension itself.

The Critical Change from 6 April 2027

From April 2027, unused pension funds will be included in your estate for inheritance tax purposes.

The government estimates:

10,500 additional estates will pay inheritance tax when previously they wouldn't
38,500 estates will pay more inheritance tax than before
Average increase: £34,000 per affected estate

Time-Limited Strategy

Between now and April 2027, maximizing pension contributions reduces your inheritance tax liability while building retirement income.

You can contribute up to £60,000 per year into your pension (subject to annual allowance rules and potentially reduced by pension tapering for high earners).

Post-2027 Strategy Shift

After April 2027, the strategy reverses.

Katherine, 54, has £400,000 in ISAs and investments. Before 2027, she could transfer this to her pension to reduce inheritance tax liability.

After 2027, her pension is part of her estate anyway. The smarter strategy becomes drawing down pension income and spending or gifting it (using annual exemptions and the 7-year rule) to reduce her estate.

Action Point

If you're under 75 and have significant assets outside your pension, consider maximizing pension contributions before April 2027.

If you're over 75, focus on drawing pension income strategically and using that income for tax-free gifts or expenditure.

For complex pension situations, consult an independent financial advisor who can model the tax implications of different strategies.

Strategy 9: Take Advantage of Business Property Relief (Before April 2026)

If you own a trading business or qualifying business assets, you currently enjoy generous inheritance tax relief—but this is changing in April 2026.

Current Business Property Relief

Business property relief provides 100% or 50% inheritance tax relief on qualifying business assets, including:

Shares in unlisted trading companies (100% relief)
Business or partnership interests (100% relief)
Land, buildings, or equipment used in your business (50% relief)
Shares in AIM-listed trading companies (currently 100% relief)

For many business owners, this relief eliminates inheritance tax entirely on their most valuable asset.

April 2026 Changes

From 6 April 2026, the rules change significantly:

£1 million lifetime cap: Only the first £1 million of combined business and agricultural assets gets 100% relief
50% relief above £1 million: Amounts over £1 million receive only 50% relief (effective 20% inheritance tax rate)
AIM shares reduced: All AIM shares will receive only 50% relief, regardless of value

What This Means in Practice

James owns an unquoted trading company worth £3 million.

Under current rules:

100% business property relief
Inheritance tax: £0

Under new rules (from April 2026):

First £1 million: 100% relief = £0 tax
Remaining £2 million: 50% relief = £1 million taxable at 40% = £400,000 tax
Total inheritance tax: £400,000

Strategic Actions Before April 2026

If you own substantial business assets:

Get a professional valuation to understand where you stand
Consult a specialist estate planning solicitor about transferring some assets to family members or trusts before April 2026
Consider restructuring your business holdings if you have multiple companies
Review your succession plan and whether gradual transfer to the next generation makes sense

The £1 Million Allowance Details

Important features:

The allowance is not transferable between spouses (unlike the nil-rate band)
It refreshes every 7 years for gifts into trust
It will be index-linked from April 2030 in line with CPI

Don't Panic, But Don't Delay

These changes don't affect most people. Only 2,000 estates per year (0.3% of all estates) are expected to pay more inheritance tax due to these reforms.

But if you're one of them, the potential savings from acting before April 2026 could be substantial.

Strategy 10: Make a Will That Maximizes All These Strategies

Every inheritance tax planning strategy requires one essential foundation: a legally valid, properly structured will.

Without a will, you can't:

Specify charitable legacies to secure the 36% reduced rate
Ensure your residence nil-rate band is preserved
Direct specific gifts to take advantage of exemptions
Appoint executors who understand your tax planning
Name guardians for your children if you die unexpectedly

If you die without a will, intestacy rules waste valuable tax allowances and may distribute your estate in ways that increase inheritance tax liability.

What Your Will Should Include

A comprehensive inheritance tax-conscious will should:

Clearly name all beneficiaries to maximize nil-rate bands
Include charitable legacies if you're using the 10% strategy
Specify the residence passing to direct descendants for residence nil-rate band
Document your wishes regarding business assets
Appoint competent executors who can handle tax planning
Include guardian appointments if you have minor children

Learn more about choosing reliable executors and appointing guardians in your will.

Professional Drafting Matters

A poorly worded will can accidentally trigger tax charges or waste valuable reliefs.

For straightforward estates, WUHLD's online will service ensures your will is legally valid and optimized for basic inheritance tax planning strategies.

For complex estates involving trusts, business assets, or estates over £2 million, consider consulting a specialist solicitor.

Bringing It All Together: Your Inheritance Tax Action Plan

With 10 strategies to consider, where do you start?

Here's your prioritized action plan based on estate size and time horizon.

Immediate Actions (Everyone Should Do)

Calculate your estate value and potential inheritance tax liability
Create or update your will to maximize nil-rate bands and name beneficiaries clearly
Check life insurance policies and write them into trust if not already done
Document any substantial gifts you've already made with dates and amounts

These four actions take a few hours but could save your family tens of thousands of pounds.

Short-Term Actions (Next 3-6 Months)

Set up regular gifts from income if you have surplus income each month
Use this tax year's £3,000 annual exemption before 5 April
Consider a 10% charitable legacy to reduce your inheritance tax rate to 36%
If you own business assets: Consult an advisor about planning before April 2026 business relief changes

Medium-Term Strategy (1-3 Years)

Begin strategic lifetime gifting using the 7-year rule for substantial amounts
Review your pension strategy in light of April 2027 changes
For estates over £1 million: Consult a specialist about trusts and advanced planning
Review your will every 3-5 years to ensure it reflects current tax law and your wishes

Estate Size Recommendations

Under £500,000 (individual) or £1 million (couple):

You probably won't pay inheritance tax. Focus on having a valid will, using annual exemptions, and writing life insurance into trust.

£500,000-£1 million:

Inheritance tax planning matters here. Use all the strategies above: will optimization, lifetime gifting, charitable legacies, and annual exemptions.

£1 million-£2 million:

Serious planning required. All basic strategies plus consideration of trusts and professional advice. The residence nil-rate band taper starts affecting you at £2 million.

Over £2 million:

Professional estate planning is essential. The residence nil-rate band taper eliminates that allowance at £2.35 million. You need specialist advice on trusts, business structuring, and advanced strategies.

Time Horizon Considerations

Under 60: Focus on lifetime gifting and trusts. You likely have time for the 7-year rule to work fully.

60-75: Balanced approach. Use all exemptions, begin substantial gifting, but maintain your own financial security.

Over 75: Focus on immediate exemptions, charitable giving, and strategic spending. The 7-year rule becomes less reliable, but annual exemptions and spending strategies still work.

When to Get Professional Advice

Consult a qualified solicitor or tax advisor if you have:

Complex estates over £1 million
Business or agricultural assets
Second marriages or blended families
Overseas assets or properties
Concerns about vulnerable beneficiaries

Professional fees of £1,500-£3,000 are a tiny investment compared to potential inheritance tax savings of £50,000-£200,000.

Take Action Today to Protect Your Family's Inheritance

Inheritance tax planning isn't about complicated schemes or aggressive tax avoidance. It's about using legitimate, government-approved strategies to ensure more of your life's work benefits your family instead of the tax collector.

Here's what you need to remember:

Only 4.6% of UK estates pay inheritance tax—but those that do lose 40% of everything above £325,000
Strategic lifetime gifting under the 7-year rule is the most powerful planning tool
Annual exemptions of £3,000 plus small gifts and wedding gifts provide immediate tax-free gifting
Married couples can pass up to £1 million tax-free by properly structuring their wills
Leaving 10% to charity reduces the inheritance tax rate from 40% to 36%
Life insurance should always be written into trust to keep payouts outside your estate
April 2026 and April 2027 bring significant changes to business relief and pension treatment

All of these strategies start with one essential foundation: a legally valid, properly structured will.

Without a will, you can't specify charitable legacies, you waste valuable allowances, and intestacy rules decide everything. With proper planning, you can potentially reduce your inheritance tax liability to zero—even with a substantial estate.

Create Your Inheritance Tax-Optimized Will Today

WUHLD makes it simple to create a comprehensive, legally valid will that maximizes your inheritance tax allowances and clearly expresses your wishes.

Our step-by-step online platform ensures your will:

Clearly names beneficiaries to preserve nil-rate bands
Includes charitable legacies if you choose the 10% strategy
Designates your main residence for residence nil-rate band claims
Appoints reliable executors and guardians for your children

For just £49.99 (compared to £650+ for a solicitor), you receive:

Your complete, legally binding will
A 12-page Testator Guide explaining how to execute your will properly
A Witness Guide to give to your witnesses
A Complete Asset Inventory document to track your estate

You can preview your entire will free before paying anything—no credit card required.

Start protecting your family's inheritance today. Create your will in just 15 minutes.

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Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about UK inheritance tax reduction strategies and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently, and individual circumstances vary significantly. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified solicitor, tax advisor, or financial planner. WUHLD's online will service is suitable for straightforward UK estates; complex situations involving trusts, business assets, or substantial wealth may require professional legal and tax advice.

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