A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE.

Consider two families whose total estate comprises a home worth exactly £570,000.

Example 1

Mr and Mrs Foolish take no Inheritance Tax mitigation measures:

Mr Foolish dies first leaving his half of the house to his wife.  This is a free transfer for Inheritance Tax purposes.  Mrs Foolish dies second leaving a house worth £570,000 to her children.

The estate is                 £570,000

Deduct nil rate band*    £285,000

________

Balance                        £285,000

Tax due at 40% is      £114,000

The children have to sell the house to raise the tax due.

Example 2

Mr and Mrs Prudent undertake nil rate band Discretionary Will Trusts.

Mr Prudent dies first leaving £285,000 worth of his share of the home (all of it in fact) to a Trust.  This is a free transfer.  Mrs Prudent continues to occupy the home due to her Tenancy in common.  Mrs Prudent then dies leaving her estate to her children.

The estate is                 £285,000

Deduct nil rate band*    £285,000

________

Balance                          000,000

Tax due at 40% is                £0.

The children also receive £285,000 from their father's Trust fund (which they are deemed to have owned all along) free of Inheritance Tax.  The children inherit the whole house free of tax.