(c) Assuming that she will survive until July 2009, advise on the lifetime inheritance tax

Question

(c) Assuming that she will survive until July 2009, advise on the lifetime inheritance tax (IHT) planning

measures that could be undertaken by Debbie, quantifying the savings that can be made. (7 marks)

For this question you should assume that the rates and allowances for 2004/05 apply throughout.

Answer 1

正确答案：
(c) Debbie survives until July 2009
Debbie should consider giving away some of her assets to her children, while ensuring that she still has enough to live on.
Such gifts would be categorised as PETs. Although Debbie will not survive seven years (at which point the gifts would fall out
of Debbie’s estate for IHT purposes), taper relief will reduce the amount chargeable to IHT. If gifts were made prior to July
2005, 40% taper relief would be available.
It is important to remember that Debbie’s annual exemptions will reduce the value of any PET when assets are gifted. Debbie
has not used her annual exemption for the last two years, and so she can gift ￡6,000 (2 x ￡3,000) in the current tax year
as well as ￡3,000 per year in future tax years. Debbie could therefore give away ￡18,000, saving tax of ￡7,200 (￡18,000
x 40%). Debbie can also make small exempt gifts of up to ￡250 per donee per year.
Debbie should consider making gifts to Allison’s children instead of Allison (using, for example, an accumulation &
maintenance trust). This would ensure that the gifts were excluded from Allison’s estate.
It does not make sense for Debbie to gift shares in Dee Limited, as these qualify for full business property relief and therefore
are not subject to IHT.
As Andrew is shortly to be married, Debbie could give up to ￡5,000 in consideration of his marriage. This would save ￡2,000
in IHT.
Expenditure out of normal income is also exempt from IHT. This is where the transferor is left with sufficient income to
maintain his/her usual standard of living. Broadly, you need to demonstrate evidence of a prior commitment, or a settled
pattern of expenditure.
If substantial gifts are made, the donees would be advised to consider taking out insurance policies on Debbie’s life to cover
the potential tax liabilities that may arise on PETs in the event of her early death.