Inheritance Tax
Inheritance Tax Planning That Protects What You Leave Behind
Even if your estate may be liable for inheritance tax, there are ways to reduce the impact. At The Mortgage Shop, we take time to understand your situation and explain what HMRC rules mean for thresholds, allowances and gifts, so you can plan with confidence. Speak to us for clear, jargon-free guidance and practical next steps. (Information only, not personal advice.)
Our Story
Part of a Trusted National Network
Weāre proud to be part of the Openwork network, one of the UKās largest and most established financial advice networks.
This gives us access to a carefully selected panel of reputable providers, offering a broad range of solutions to help manage inheritance tax planning. As part of a trusted national network, our advisers can explain the latest HMRC thresholds, allowances and exemptions, and outline strategies such as gifts, trusts and life policies. As a whole-of-market advice firm, we match you with clear, compliant options designed to protect your estate and pass on more of your wealth to your loved ones.
Bad Credit Explained
What Counts as āInheritance Taxā for your estate?
In the UK, inheritance tax (IHT) may be due on the part of your estate that exceeds your allowances. Knowing whatās includedāand the 7-year rules on giftsāhelps you plan realistically.ā
If you want the whole section in that shorter style:
In the UK, IHT may be due on the value of your estate above your allowances. Understanding whatās includedāand the 7-year gift rulesāhelps you plan realistically.
What HMRC usually counts
Estate assets: property, savings, investments, valuables
Gifts in the last 7 years (taper relief may apply)
Gifts with reservation (e.g., give away a home but still live there)
Some transfers into trusts
Information only, not personal advice.
Key Factors in Approval
How HMRC Assesses Inheritance Tax
For inheritance tax (IHT), HMRC looks beyond headline estate value to overall allowances, gifts and who inherits. The big levers are your nil-rate bands, gifts in the last 7 years, and how your assets are structured.
Key factors
Allowances: Nil-Rate Band and Residence Nil-Rate Band (where a main home passes to direct descendants).
Estate value: Property, savings, investments and valuables after debts.
Gifts (7-year rule): Larger gifts may be chargeable; taper relief can apply.
Spouse/civil partner exemption: Usually no IHT on transfers between UK-domiciled spouses/partners.
Domicile & reliefs: Domicile status and business/agricultural reliefs can change the outcome.
Our Approach
We Can Help You:
Our advisers will take the time to understand your situation, explain your options clearly, and guide you through every step of the life insurance journey ā from initial enquiry to completion.
Life insurance
Provides financial support for your loved ones if you pass away
Family income benefit
Provides ongoing support for your family in the event of your death
Critical illness cover
Pays out a lump sum if youāre diagnosed with a serious illness covered by the policy
Mortgage protection
Helps ensure your mortgage can still be repaid if you become ill or pass away
Income protection
Offers a regular income if you're unable to work due to illness or injury
Mortgages For Bad Credit
As a specialist bad credit mortgage broker, weāll assess your circumstances, and guide you through the process
Inheritance tax planning isnāt just about paperwork ā itās about preserving what youāve built so more reaches the people you care about. Weāll explain HMRC thresholds, allowances and gifting in plain English, and help you map practical next steps with confidence.
Inheritance tax planning is subject to HMRC rules and your personal circumstances. Tax thresholds, allowances and reliefs can change, and any benefits depend on your situation. This content is information only and not personal tax or financial advice.
Why Choose The Mortgage Shop?
With over three decades of experience, we have built a reputation for excellence and customer satisfaction in the mortgage and financial services industry.
Family-run business
with local values
Friendly, straightforward advice
no jargon, no pressure
Tailored protection plans
to suit your life, needs, and budget
Access to quality providers
through the trusted Openwork network
Support every step of the way,
from first enquiry to application
EXCELLENT Based on 166 reviews Posted on Google Alan Hynd2026-06-23Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Chris has been very friendly and extremely helpful throughout. He got the mortgage over the line very quickly and continues to advise us as we move toward completion. Thank you Chris for your excellent service. Very highly recommended. Alan and EstherPosted on Google Joe Green2026-06-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Rob and team have been extremely supportive and helpful throughout my mortgage journeyPosted on Google Carl Pixton2026-06-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic serviceš Rob at The Mortgage Shop has helped us secure a mortgage; I am very confident that he sourced the best possible offer, and he was extremely knowledgable about the markets. He made the process simple, communication was great (always answered or responded to messages promptly) - really happy - thank youšPosted on Google jason Wright2026-06-01Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From start to finish Rob was amazing for us. In the specific aspect of his role (advising on mortgages) he provided us with all the information we needed in a simple manner for such a complicated issue providing us all options available, but never pushed us to go one way or another on our decision making. He also went above and beyond his role as a mortgage advisor, by being there to answer questions on the entire house buying process in a very approachable and friendly manner, which as first time buyers was just as important to us as getting the mortgage sorted. Thank you for everything Rob!!Posted on Google Raj Kaur2026-05-18Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We canāt recommend Rob highly enough! From start to finish, he was absolutely amazing throughout the whole mortgage process. He was always quick to respond, kept us updated every step of the way, and followed up on every part of the process without us ever having to chase anything ourselves. What could have been a stressful experience felt smooth and straightforward thanks to his professionalism, knowledge, and support. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and he genuinely went above and beyond to help us secure the best outcome. Rob is reliable, efficient, and saved us money with a great dealšPosted on Google Michelle Hayward2026-04-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic service and advice. I was really daunted by the whole process of getting back on the property ladder, but Rob was just brilliant and made the whole thing seem straightforward. We are now very happy in our new home. Thanks so much.Posted on Google Amanda Atherton2026-04-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Mortgage shop has a great team of experts, dealing with mortgage advice, pensions and investments. We have used them for years initially with the very helpful lovely Andy Norris and more recently his very enthusiastic, keen Nephew Christian.He has great communication skills and has kept us updated every step of the way with our recent pension and investments . We highly recommend this brilliant team of experts. Amanda &Paul.Posted on Google Marifi Buslayan2026-04-01Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We just received the key to our new home today and couldnāt be more grateful for the support from our mortgage advisor Chris throughout the entire process. š” From the very beginning, everything was explained clearly and professionally, making what can be a stressful experience feel straightforward and manageable. We were kept informed at every stage, and any questions we had were answered quickly and thoroughly. We would highly recommend Chris fom The Mortgage Shop to anyone looking for a reliable, responsive, and genuinely supportive mortgage advisor. Thank you again for helping us secure our new home!Posted on Google Levi Barrington2026-03-10Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great mortgage advisor, really recommend using rob. Tried somewhere else before rob and couldnāt get us a good rate, rob got us what we was looking for. Helped us all the way from the MIP to completion. Thankyou very much rob!! šPosted on Google adam grainger2026-03-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service from the mortgage shop. Rob was knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful throughout the entire mortgage process. He took the time to clearly explain all the options available to me and made sure I understood every step, which really helped reduce the stress that can come with arranging a mortgage as a first time buyer. His expertise and support made a big difference, and I felt confident that I was getting the best advice for my situation. I would highly recommend Mortgage Shop and Rob to anyone looking for reliable and friendly mortgage advice. Thank you for making the process so straightforward!