Nil rate band discretionary trusts and Phizackerley

Jackie Moor, Partner, Wood Awdry and Ford. Nil rate band discretionary trusts are commonly included in wills of married couples and potentially can save inheritance tax of up to £120,000 on the second death. The Phizackerley case concerned a failed attempt to avoid inheritance tax using the nil rate band discretionary trust. The facts of the situation fell into a legal loophole between s 103 of the Finance Act 1986 and s 11 Inheritance Tax Act 1984 and in this case inheritance tax could not be avoided. For the reasons why, and the ways in which this particular loophole could be avoided in other cases, see the full article in see July [2007] Fam Law.

Read the full article here.