This would bring simplicity which is to be encouraged in an environment where we are all too used to governments adding to the complexity of the UK tax system by tinkering around the edges. Bringing in a lower rate of tax would also be welcomed by most. There is also some logical sense in removing the Capital Gains Tax (“CGT”) uplift on death so that CGT and IHT dovetail together in a less “hit and miss” fashion.
However, it is not all good news. The proposals, if implemented, would completely abolish Business Property Relief. For owner-managers wishing to leave their businesses to the next generation this will prove a challenge. When coupled with the rumoured likely changes to (or removal of?) Entrepreneurs’ Relief, this seems like an attack on business owners. It does seem strange that the first Conservative government with a majority in some time is choosing to tighten the approach taken towards the very group that they see as their core demographic.
Trusts are also in the firing line. Getting rid of the nil rate band which replenishes every seven years removes the ability to carry out tried and tested succession planning opportunities. Once again those in politics seem to have forgotten that trusts set up by reputable advisers are not used as some nefarious tax dodge but are useful tools allowing for parents to control the flow of money to their children (sometimes to save them from themselves) and bring capital protection which is a perennial concern for families.
As part of a familiar refrain over the past five years, non-domiciliaries (“non-doms”) do not escape unscathed. The proposals seek to break the connection between domicile and IHT - instead, being UK tax resident for 10 out of the previous 15 years would cause individuals to be subject to UK IHT on their worldwide assets. It is a pity given all of the recent non-dom changes that this has not been aligned with the existing 15 out of 20 year tests for other tax purposes. The misery for non-doms doesn’t stop there - when coupled with the report’s proposed changes to trusts established by non-doms, it is likely to bring many people within the UK tax net for the first time and have a material impact upon planning opportunities.
Overall, although the changes would bring a measure of simplicity and the headline rate of tax would reduce, there is concern that the rate drop is a quid pro quo for culling the current allowances. It would be all too easy for a future government to raise the rates without reinstating the existing valuable allowances.
Next steps
While the report is not an official publication from the government, it does show a potential direction of travel. Although substantive changes to legislation would likely require a period of consultation, the government could make changes within the Budget on 11 March 2020, and as such, consideration should be given to any steps which should be taken and the timing of potential lifetime giving.