APR and BPR changed on 6 April 2026. The combined 100% relief allowance is £2.5m per person, with unused allowance transferable between spouses and civil partners.
This guide is part of ProbateHelp's Inheritance Tax guide cluster.
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For deaths before 6 April 2026, the new £2.5 million allowance does not apply. Property that met the conditions for 100% relief remained uncapped; categories eligible only for 50% relief remained at 50%.
Yes, if your mother dies on or after 6 April 2026, the new rules will apply to her estate. A valid transfer claim treats the first spouse as having a full £2.5 million allowance regardless of prior relief use; the survivor can have up to £5 million, subject to their own available allowance and relevant transfers.
Yes. The APR/BPR allowance is separate from the £325,000 nil-rate band. GOV.UK's simple married-couple example combines two £2.5 million APR/BPR allowances with two £325,000 nil-rate bands, giving £5.65 million. Do not add the residence nil-rate band automatically: it has separate conditions and starts to taper when the estate exceeds £2 million.
No. The £2.5 million is a single combined allowance across all qualifying APR and BPR assets. You cannot have £2.5 million for agricultural assets and a separate £2.5 million for business assets.
Qualifying tax may be paid over ten annual interest-free instalments, but a disposal can accelerate the outstanding balance and late instalments can attract interest. Check the current conditions before relying on the timetable.
They are less tax-efficient than before. Qualifying shares traded on markets that do not meet HMRC’s definition of listed, such as AIM, receive 50% BPR; do not infer the rate from the word “unlisted” alone. Whether they remain worthwhile depends on your overall estate and investment objectives. A financial adviser can help you assess this.
Yes for relevant qualifying gifts. Transitional rules apply to qualifying gifts made on or after 30 October 2024 where the donor dies on or after 6 April 2026 within seven years; ownership and other relief conditions, and any retained benefit, still matter.