The Inheritance Tax residence nil-rate band (RNRB) came into effect on 6 April 2017. The RNRB provides an additional nil-rate band where an individual dies on or after 6 April 2017, owning a residence which they leave to direct descendants. During the 2017/2018 tax year, the maximum RNRB available is £100,000. This rises in £25,000 increments in subsequent tax years until it reaches £175,000 in 2020/2021, after which it will be indexed in line with the Consumer Prices Index.
The RNRB is set against the taxable value of the deceased’s estate – not just the value of the property. Unlike the existing nil-rate band (NRB), it doesn’t apply to transfers made during an individual’s lifetime. For married couples and registered civil partners, any unused RNRB can be claimed by the surviving spouse’s or registered civil partner’s personal representatives to provide a reduction against their taxable estate.
Special provisions apply where an individual has downsized
Where an estate is valued at more than £2 million, the RNRB will be progressively reduced by £1 for every £2 that the value of the estate exceeds the threshold. Special provisions apply where an individual has downsized to a lower value property or no longer owns a home when they die.
For these purposes, direct descendants are lineal descendants of the deceased – children, grandchildren and any remoter descendants together with their spouses or registered civil partners, including their widow, widower or surviving registered civil partner – a step, adopted or fostered child of the deceased or a child to which the deceased was appointed as a guardian or a special guardian when the child was under 18.
Any unused allowance can’t be offset against other assets
The amount of RNRB available to be set against an estate will be the lower of the value of the home, or share, that’s inherited by direct descendants and the maximum RNRB available when the individual died. Where the value of the property is lower than the maximum RNRB, the unused allowance can’t be offset against other assets in the estate but can be transferred to a deceased spouse or registered civil partner’s estate when they die, having left a residence to their direct descendants.
A surviving spouse or registered civil partner’s personal representatives may claim any unused RNRB available from the estate of the first spouse or registered civil partner to die. This is subject to the second death occurring on or after 6 April 2017 and the survivor passing a residence they own to their direct descendants. This can be any home they’ve lived in – there’s no requirement for them to have owned or inherited it from their late spouse or civil partner.
RNRB is represented as a percentage of the maximum RNRB available
The facility to claim unused RNRB applies regardless of when the first death occurred – if this was before RNRB was introduced, then 100% of a deemed RNRB of £100,000 can be claimed, unless the value of the first spouse or registered civil partner’s estate exceeded
£2 million, and tapering of the RNRB applies.
The unused RNRB is represented as a percentage of the maximum RNRB that was available on first death – meaning the amount available against the survivor’s estate will benefit from subsequent increases in the RNRB. The transferable RNRB is capped at 100% – claims for unused RNRB from more than one spouse or registered civil partner are possible but in total can’t be more than 100% of the maximum available amount.
Personal representatives can elect which property should qualify
Under the RNRB provisions, direct descendants inherit a home that’s left to them which becomes part of their estate. This could be under the provisions of the deceased’s Will, under the rules of intestacy or by some other legal means as a result of the person’s death – for example, under a deed of variation.
The RNRB applies to a property that’s included in the deceased’s estate and one in which they have lived in. It needn’t be their main residence, and no minimum occupation period applies. If an individual has owned more than one home, their personal representatives can elect which one should qualify for RNRB. The open market value of the property will be used less any liabilities secured against it, such as a mortgage. Where only a share of the home is left to direct descendants, the value and RNRB is apportioned.
Depending on the type of trust will determine whether the home is included
A home may already be held in trust when an individual dies or it may be transferred into trust upon their death. Whether the RNRB will be available in these circumstances will depend on the type of trust, as this will determine whether the home is included in the deceased’s estate, and also whether direct descendants are treated as inheriting the property.
This is a complex area, and HM Revenue & Customs provides only general guidance, with a recommendation that a solicitor or trust specialist should be consulted to discuss whether the RNRB applies.
Limited by the value of other assets left to direct descendants
Estates that don’t qualify for the full amount of RNRB may be entitled to an additional amount of RNRB – a downsizing addition if the following conditions apply: the deceased disposed of a former home and either downsized to a less valuable home or ceased to own a home on or after 8 July 2015; the former home would have qualified for the RNRB if it had been held until death; and
at least some of the estate is inherited by direct descendants.
The downsizing addition will generally represent the amount of ‘lost’ RNRB that could have applied if the individual had died when they owned the more valuable property. However, it won’t apply where the value of the replacement home they own when they die is worth more than the maximum available RNRB. It’s also limited by the value of other assets left to direct descendants.
Planning techniques are available to address a potential IHT liability
The downsizing addition can also apply where an individual hasn’t replaced a home they previously disposed of – provided they leave other assets to direct descendants on their death. The deceased’s personal representatives must make a claim for the downsizing addition within two years of the end of the month in which the individual died.
Different planning techniques are available to address a potential IHT liability, and these can be incorporated into the financial arrangements of any individual whose estate is likely to exceed the threshold.
