About the Guide
Income Tax
Capital Gains Tax
Corporation Tax
Main Capital Allowances
Value Added Tax
Inheritance Tax
Vehicle Benefits
Mileage Allowance
National Insurance Contributions
Key Dates & Deadlines
Pension Premiums
Profit Related Pay
Charitable Giving
Savings & Investments
Some Useful Rates
Stamp Duties
Inheritance Tax

Transfers on or Within Seven Years Before Death
  2003/04 2002/03
Nil rate band to £255,000 £250,000
Rate of tax on balance 40% 40%
Chargeable lifetime transfers 20% 20%

All lifetime transfers not covered by exemptions and made within seven years of death will be added back into the estate for the purpose of calculating the tax payable. This may then be reduced by taper relief.

Charge on Gifts Within 7 Years of Death
Years before death 0-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7
Tax reduced by 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%


Main Reliefs
Business property:
- business or interest therein 100%
- qualifying shareholders in unquoted* companies 100%
- land, buildings, machinery, or plant used by transferor's controlled company or partnership 100%
Agricultural property 50% or 100%
*Unquoted companies include those listed on AIM

Main Exemptions

  1. To UK domiciled spouse - exempt.
  2. To non UK domiciled spouse - £55,000.
  3. Annual exemption - per donor - £3,000.
  4. Small gifts per donee - £250 p.a.
  5. Gifts in consideration of marriage to bride and/or groom of: up to £5,000 by a parent, up to £2,500 by a grandparent, or up to £1,000 by any other person.
  6. Normal gifts out of income - no limit.
  7. Charities - exempt


About the Guide | Income Tax | Capital Gains Tax | Corporation Tax | Main Capital Allowances
Value Added Tax | Inheritance Tax | Vehicle Benefits | Mileage Allowance | National Insurance Contributions
Key Dates & Deadlines | Pension Premiums | Profit related Pay | Charitable Giving | Savings & Investments
Some useful rates | Stamp Duties