Inheritance Tax Basics

Most estates pay no inheritance tax at all — but frozen allowances and rising house prices pull more ordinary families into the net every year.

This guide explains the nil rate band, the residence nil rate band, and the quick self-test to see where you stand. It covers the huge advantages married couples have (and unmarried partners don't), the 7-year rule on gifts and its hidden traps, what's changing for pensions from April 2027, and the boring, low-risk steps that legitimately cut a future bill.

• The allowances explained, with a two-minute self-test
• Gifts, PETs and the taper relief myth
• Pensions, life insurance in trust, and the 2027 changes
• Seven simple ways to reduce the bill — no schemes required

Instant PDF download. England & Wales only. Information, not legal advice — and if your situation needs a real conversation, every download includes an invitation to book a free chat with a Squiggle specialist.