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Inheritance tax advice

Take early, informed action to navigate the changes to Inheritance Tax in the UK effectively.

Concept Financial Services provides expert wealth, mortgage, protection and insurance advice. Concept Financial Services is not a business in it's own right, it is a trading name of Delphic Financial Planning Limited which is an appointed representative of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
*HM Revenue & Customs practice and the law relating to taxation are complex and subject to individual circumstances and changes which cannot be foreseen. For specialist tax advice, please refer to an accountant or tax specialist*

Inheritance tax advice

Take early, informed action to navigate the changes to Inheritance Tax in the UK effectively. Together, we’ll ensure your land, business, and family legacy remain intact for future generations.

What Farmers Need to Know About Inheritance Tax Changes

The 2024 budget introduced several shifts in inheritance tax (IHT) policies that could have significant implications for farmers aiming to pass their estates down to the next generation. 

While the government has chosen to freeze the inheritance tax threshold at £325,000 until at least 2028, the value of agricultural land and property continues to rise sharply. 

As a result, more farming estates are being caught within the IHT net, increasing the importance of strategic estate planning.

What Farmers Need to Know About Inheritance Tax Changes

The 2024 budget introduced several shifts in inheritance tax (IHT) policies that could have significant implications for farmers aiming to pass their estates down to the next generation. 

While the government has chosen to freeze the inheritance tax threshold at £325,000 until at least 2028, the value of agricultural land and property continues to rise sharply. 

As a result, more farming estates are being caught within the IHT net, increasing the importance of strategic estate planning.

Paul Donoghue

CEO & Financial Adviser

Understanding the Current Landscape of Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax is applied at a rate of 40% on the portion of an estate exceeding the £325,000 threshold. For farmers, exemptions such as Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) are key tools to mitigate this liability. 

These reliefs can reduce the taxable value of qualifying agricultural and business assets by up to 100%. However, the 2024 budget has introduced changes that tighten the criteria for eligibility. 

Understanding the Current Landscape of Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax is applied at a rate of 40% on the portion of an estate exceeding the £325,000 threshold. For farmers, exemptions such as Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Relief (BR) are key tools to mitigate this liability. 

These reliefs can reduce the taxable value of qualifying agricultural and business assets by up to 100%. However, the 2024 budget has introduced changes that tighten the criteria for eligibility. 

Key Changes Farmers Need to Know

  • Stricter Rules on Leased Land: APR will only apply if the landowner can demonstrate “active engagement” in the farming activities. This could mean providing evidence of overseeing operations or maintaining direct involvement in the management of the farm.
 
  • Pressure from Rising Land Values: The rising market value of farmland, driven by demand and limited supply, means that many farming estates now exceed the IHT threshold. Without proper planning, families may face significant tax bills, potentially forcing them to sell parts of the farm to meet IHT obligations. 
 
  • Potential Loss of Relief: If a farm includes non-agricultural assets, such as cottages or commercial properties, these may not qualify for APR or BR unless they are integral to the farming business.

Implications of These Changes

For many farming families, the farm represents more than just a business—it is a legacy that spans generations. 

The tightening of APR rules and the stagnant IHT threshold threaten this legacy, as estates become increasingly vulnerable to higher tax liabilities. 

This could lead to financial strain, especially for small or mid-sized family farms that lack the cash reserves to pay large tax bills. 

Implications of These Changes

For many farming families, the farm represents more than just a business—it is a legacy that spans generations. 

The tightening of APR rules and the stagnant IHT threshold threaten this legacy, as estates become increasingly vulnerable to higher tax liabilities. 

This could lead to financial strain, especially for small or mid-sized family farms that lack the cash reserves to pay large tax bills. 

What Farmers Should Do Now

Given these challenges, proactive planning is essential. Here are some steps farmers can take to safeguard their estates: 

1. Review Land Usage and Records

Ensure that all agricultural land, especially leased properties, meets the active engagement criteria. Keeping detailed records of farming activities and demonstrating involvement can help secure APR eligibility.

2. Consider Family Partnerships or Trusts

Transferring assets into family partnerships or trusts can offer flexibility and tax benefits, potentially reducing the overall IHT liability while also providing ability for shared ownership, so the farm remains within the family.

3. Explore Liftime Gifting

Lifetime gifting is an effective way to reduce the size of an estate. Gifting agricultural property during your lifetime may still qualify for APR, provided the recipient continues to use the land for farming purposes.

4. Whole of Life Insurances

Having the right insurance in place on your life and written in trust can provide the funds required to settle potential IHT liabilities.

Meet your Inheritance Tax Experts

Inheritance tax rules are complex, and the recent budget changes have added more layers of regulation. 

Engaging specialists from Concept Financial Services in agricultural tax planning can help tailor a strategy that maximizes reliefs while preserving your farm’s legacy.

We couldn’t recommend Concept Financial Services enough! The service we have received has been so valuable – we feel confident that the advice we have received is the very best we could have hoped for!

Looking Ahead

The freeze on IHT thresholds coupled with rising asset values signals a growing challenge for farmers. While the budget has introduced these tighter guidelines, it also underscores the importance of long-term planning. 

Farmers who take early, informed action can navigate these changes effectively, ensuring that their land, business, and family legacy remain intact for future generations