In the UK, when an individual that is domiciled in the UK dies, they are charged inheritance tax also known as a death tax.

The death tax is applied at 40% on their estates from their worldwide income.

In some cases, an individual could also pay inheritance tax on their estate whilst they are still alive.

Am I Domiciled in the UK?

This question is a very important question that could cost you 40% of your estate after death, so it is worth knowing the answer to the question.

You can acquire a domicile in the UK in three ways.

Domicile of origin: This domicile is acquired by taxpayers when they are born.

This is usually the domicile of their father at the time of birth, however, if the parents were not married at the time of birth they acquire the domicile of their mother.

The county usually accesses this where the father/mother permanently resides.

Domicile of dependence: For children under the age of 16, they are dependent on their parents so therefore they acquire a domicile of dependency.

Domicile of Choice: When an individual reached the age of 16, they may choose to acquire a new domicile of their choice.

To prove the new choice they must be able to prove certain conditions.

Conditions such as Living in the new domicile country for the rest of their life.

They must be settled permanently in the country of their new choice.

Usually, they also must be able to prove they have broken all their ties in the country of domicile.

How can an induvial be treated as deemed domicile?

The revenue introduced a new law with effect from 6^th of April 2017, the impact of this changes is that some induvial will be treated as domiciled in the UK for income tax and capital gains tax purposes even though they don’t fall within the three groups explained above.

The group of people are

• UK residents that have lived in the UK for at least 15 of the previous 20 tax years.
• Individuals that are domiciled outside the UK but were born in the UK with a UK domicile of origin

How will my death tax be calculated?

The death tax is calculated by charging the IHT rate on the value transferred from the taxpayer’s estate charged on the value transferred by the taxpayer from their estate.

This gift will result in loss to their estate.

This invariable means, that the estate of this taxpayer will be reduced as a result of this gift they have given when alive or dead.

The taxpayer would however pay inheritance tax on the value of their estate that goes over the nil rate band.

There are two-nil band rates applicable in the inheritance tax, the first one is £325,000 which is available to everyone.

The second one is the residential nil rate band (RNRB) which gives an extra relief of £175,000 which is available to those passing qualifying residents to their direct descendants.

This is reduced by £1 for every £2 and the net value of the estate is more than £2 million.

The IHT rate applied to the value transferred could either be 20%25% or 40%.

Some gifts that could be exempted from inheritance tax

Some gifts are specifically exempted from inheritance tax, they are as follows

• A gift that does not have a gratuitous effect on both the giver and receiver, before it can be charged to IHT.
• A gift that is given is for the maintenance of their family.
• When a taxpayer gives up receiving salary or dividend from their employer.

What are the three types of transfers made in inheritance tax?

There are three types of chargeable transfers that can be made under inheritance tax. They are as follows:

Chargeable life transfer: Typical examples of chargeable life transfer are gifts made into trusts.

 Exempt transfer:

Gifts to spouse /civil partners.

Gifts to UK and EEA charities.

Lifetime small gift not costing more than £250.

Lifetime gifts are given for reasons of marriage: The gift must not be more than £5000 if immediately

Potentially exempted transfer in inheritance tax :

These are gifts given by donors whilst alive, these gifts would be exempted from tax if the donor lives for more than 7 years.

There will also be a relief if the owner of the gift lives for more than 3 years.

There will be 20 % relief for each year he lives up to the 7^th year.

What you should do if affected by inheritance tax?

Planning is the key to saving on tax even after our death.

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