Inheritance tax receipts continue to rise

21 July 2026

Simon Dodd, Head of Products and Marketing at Dudley Building Society, said:

“Another increase in inheritance tax receipts is a reminder of a trend that’s been building for several years. Frozen tax thresholds, alongside rising property prices and other asset values, mean more families are finding themselves within the scope of inheritance tax, often without realising quite how much their estate has grown. As the new Prime Minister sets out his priorities for the public finances, families shouldn’t assume inheritance tax will slip down the agenda. That’s all the more reason to take stock of your own circumstances rather than waiting for policy to change.

“What those figures don’t show is how many people have spent another year meaning to get their affairs in order without ever quite getting round to it. In our experience, people rarely put estate planning off because it’s too complicated. More often, they put it off because they think there’s always more time. Inheritance tax may be what brings people through the door, but they usually leave talking about family, whether that’s children, grandchildren or making sure their wishes are properly understood.

“That’s often where trusts become part of the conversation. Deciding whether a trust is appropriate is something that should always be done with the support of a professional adviser. Once a trust has been established, choosing an appropriate trust savings account is another important part of putting those plans into practice. Families rarely regret starting those conversations early. They often regret leaving them too late.”