Do you really need to worry about Inheritance Tax?
Inheritance Tax is charged at 40% on the part of your estate above the available tax-free allowances, so even modest families can be pulled into the net once property values, savings, and life policies are added together.
With planning, many estates can reduce or even remove a future Inheritance Tax bill using allowances, gifts, trusts, and life insurance written in trust.
Xwills.com helps you understand the numbers, use the available allowances, and put practical steps in place alongside your will.
How our Inheritance Tax advice works
Your starting point is a clear picture of your estate today – property, savings, investments, business interests, and any life policies – so you can see whether Inheritance Tax is likely to be an issue.
From there, we highlight which allowances and reliefs you can use, and how your will, gifts, and wider planning can work together to minimise tax for your family.
Typical steps
- Initial call or online questionnaire to understand your situation.
- Estimate of the potential Inheritance Tax position.
- Advice on allowances, gifting strategies, and use of trusts.
- Updates to your will and recommendations on next steps.
Key areas we look at with you
Allowances and bands
- Nil‑rate band and residence nil‑rate band.
- Transfer of unused allowances between spouses or civil partners.
- Impact of estate size on residence allowance tapering.
Gifts and lifetime planning
- Annual exemptions and small gifts.
- Wedding and charity gifts.
- Potentially exempt transfers and the 7‑year rule.
Property and family home
- Passing the main residence to children or grandchildren.
- Second homes and buy‑to‑let properties.
- Joint ownership and how it affects the tax calculation.
Business, pensions and protection
- Business property and agricultural relief where available.
- How pensions are usually treated outside the estate.
- Life insurance policies written in trust to help cover any bill.
Why talk to Xwills.com about Inheritance Tax?
Inheritance Tax planning works best when it is joined up with your will, your powers of attorney, and your wider family goals, rather than dealt with in isolation.
Because Xwills.com focuses on estate planning, the advice you receive is designed to be practical, understandable, and aligned with the documents your executors will actually rely on.
What you gain
- A clearer picture of any likely Inheritance Tax bill.
- Options to reduce it using allowances and reliefs.
- Guidance on updating your will to support the plan.
- Peace of mind that your family knows where they stand.
Book your free Inheritance Tax review
Spend 20–30 minutes with us to understand whether Inheritance Tax is likely to affect your estate and what you can do about it.
Important: This page provides general information only and does not constitute personalised financial, tax, or legal advice. Inheritance Tax rules can change and the right approach depends on your individual circumstances. Professional advice should always be taken before making decisions.
