ESTATE MAP BLOG
Guides, tools and insights
Practical guidance on estate planning, inheritance tax, and getting the most from Estate Map.
Complete Guide to Inheritance Tax UK 2026
Everything you need to know about IHT rates, allowances, exemptions, and planning strategies.
35 articles
Inheritance Tax for Estates Over £2 Million
RNRB taper, APR/BPR caps, and pension inclusion — the triple challenge for high-value estates.
Pensions and Inheritance Tax from April 2027: What You Need to Know
From April 2027, unused pension pots will be drawn into the taxable estate. With a year to plan, here's what the change means and what to consider.
Pensions and Inheritance Tax from April 2027
From April 2027, unspent pension pots enter your taxable estate. Understand who is affected and how much extra IHT you could face.
APR/BPR Reform April 2026: What Changes Today
From today, the combined APR/BPR allowance is capped at £2.5m per person. Here's what the reform means for farms, family businesses, and AIM portfolios.
IHT News: April 2026 — APR/BPR Reform Live
The biggest IHT reform in years is now in effect. What changed, what it means, and how to plan ahead.
AIM Shares and Inheritance Tax: How the 2026 Relief Changes Work
AIM shares Business Property Relief drops from 100% to 50% from today. The relief is reduced — not eliminated — but the IHT planning calculus has changed.
Residence Nil-Rate Band Explained
Understanding RNRB and how it can add up to £175,000 to your tax-free allowance.
IHT News: March 2026 Roundup
APR/BPR reform days away, pension IHT timeline confirmed, and HMRC receipts still rising.
IHT Planning for Married Couples
How David and Sarah reduced their IHT liability by £200,000 using transferable allowances.
Estate Planning for Single Parents
How Emma structured her estate to provide for her children while minimizing IHT.
The 7-Year Rule for Gifts and Inheritance Tax
How the 7-year rule works for lifetime gifts and taper relief.
Nil-Rate Band Calculator
Calculate your available NRB including transferable allowances from a deceased spouse.
IHT on Second Homes and Buy-to-Let Properties
Planning strategies for property investors with multiple properties.
Gift Taper Relief Calculator
Calculate IHT on lifetime gifts using taper relief and the 7-year rule.
Inheritance Tax on Property: How to Calculate
Step-by-step guide to calculating IHT on your main residence and additional properties.
RNRB Taper Calculator
See how the residence nil-rate band taper affects estates over £2 million.
Business Property Relief and Inheritance Tax
How BPR can reduce or eliminate IHT on business assets and shares.
Family Business and Inheritance Tax
How business property relief can save hundreds of thousands in IHT.
Estate Map vs HMRC Inheritance Tax Calculator
How the HMRC inheritance tax checker compares to Estate Map — what each tool covers, its limitations, and which is right for your situation.
Inheritance Tax for Unmarried Couples: The Hidden Trap
No spousal exemption, no transferable NRB — how unmarried partners can protect each other from IHT.
Estate Value Estimator
Estimate your total estate value for inheritance tax purposes.
Inheritance Tax for Widows and Widowers: Your Allowances Explained
How transferred nil-rate bands could give you up to £1,000,000 tax-free — and how to claim them.
Life Insurance in Trust: How It Reduces Inheritance Tax
A whole-of-life policy in trust sits outside your estate — potentially saving your family thousands in IHT.
Normal Expenditure from Income: The IHT Exemption Most People Miss
Regular gifts from surplus income are immediately exempt from IHT — no 7-year wait and no cap on the amount.
Inheritance Tax Planning Checklist
Comprehensive checklist to review your estate and identify planning opportunities.
Inheritance Tax Gifting Exemptions: Your Annual Allowances Explained
Every exemption — annual, small gifts, wedding, charity — and how to combine them for maximum IHT savings.
Estate Planning Decision Flowchart
Step-by-step visual guide to navigate estate planning decisions.
Trusts and Inheritance Tax: A Plain English Guide
How bare, discretionary, loan and discounted gift trusts work for IHT — and when simpler alternatives are better.
Inheritance Tax Glossary
Comprehensive guide to IHT terminology from A to Z.
Budget 2025: Inheritance Tax Changes Explained
Analysis of the latest IHT changes and what they mean for your estate planning.
How to Pay Inheritance Tax: Deadlines, Methods and Options
IHT is due 6 months after death — before probate. Here's the Direct Payment Scheme, instalment option, and more.
IHT400 Form: Who Needs It and How to Complete It
The full IHT return explained — when it's required, key sections, supplementary schedules, and the payment process.
HMRC Inheritance Tax Statistics 2025
Key insights from the latest HMRC data on IHT receipts and trends.
Deed of Variation: Redirecting Inheritance to Reduce IHT
Beneficiaries can redirect an inheritance within 2 years of death — potentially saving thousands in tax.
IHT News Roundup: January 2025
Monthly summary of inheritance tax news, court cases, and planning developments.