What this tool does

It gives you a quick estimate of whether inheritance tax is likely to apply to your estate when you die, roughly how much your beneficiaries could owe, and the main things you can do now to bring the bill down.

Inheritance tax in the UK has a few moving parts, including the nil rate band, the residence nil rate band, spousal transfers and gifts made in the last seven years. This tool pulls those together so you can see where you stand without having to read through pages of HMRC guidance.

When to use it

It is useful if you own a home, have savings, investments or a business, and want a sense of whether your estate is close to or above the threshold. It is also worth a look if you are newly married or widowed, since the rules around transferring allowances between spouses can make a real difference to what your family ends up paying.

It is not a replacement for personal advice from a solicitor or financial planner, especially if your situation involves trusts, overseas assets, or a business that might qualify for relief. Think of it as a starting point that helps you work out whether you need to take further action, and what questions to ask.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about the value of your estate, whether you own your home, your marital status, any gifts you have made recently, and your plans for passing things on. The tool then gives you a plain English summary of your likely position, an estimated tax figure, and a list of practical steps worth considering, such as using the annual gift allowance, leaving something to charity, or making use of the residence nil rate band. Your answers are not saved and nothing is shared with third parties.