A majority of Britons support cutting or abolishing inheritance tax (IHT), known as “the most unpopular tax in Britain”, according to new polling conducted for the TaxPayers’ Alliance.
The research, carried out by Public First, found that 55 per cent of those surveyed want to either reduce or completely eliminate the tax. These findings show widespread support across all demographics, including both genders, all age groups, social grades, regions, education levels and political affiliations.
The polling comes as the TaxPayers’ Alliance launches a campaign calling for the complete abolition of inheritance tax, which they describe as “unworkable, unfair and immoral”.
Recent data has shown inheritance tax receipts increased by £600million in the nine months to December compared to the previous year. The poll revealed that 27 per cent of respondents wanted inheritance tax to be cut, while 28 per cent supported its complete abolition.
In contrast, 21 per cent believed the tax should remain at current levels, and just 10 per cent favoured an increase. The remaining respondents were unsure about their position on the issue.
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A landmark poll of Britons suggest the country wants to see the end of inheritance tax
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A majority across all age groups, both genders and all social grades expressed support for either cutting or abolishing the tax. When asked about the fairness of nine different taxes, inheritance tax emerged as the most unpopular, with 46 per cent listing it as the most unfair.
Income tax followed at 27 per cent, with stamp duty at 26 per cent and VAT at 24 per cent. National insurance, capital gains tax, insurance premium tax, vehicle excise tax and air passenger duty were viewed as less unfair by respondents.
The survey found that inheritance tax was considered the most unfair by a plurality across nearly all demographic groups. Only those with a PhD differed from this pattern, though the specific preference of this group was not detailed in the findings.
Furthermore, polling revealed strong support for abolishing inheritance tax specifically for family farms and businesses. A significant 63 per cent of respondents backed removing the tax for those passing down farms to family members.
Inheritance tax is one of HMRC’s most unpopular levies
PA
Similarly, 59 per cent supported abolishing the tax for family businesses. The findings showed particularly strong backing for farm inheritance, with a majority of every demographic group supporting tax abolition in these cases.
This comes as a notable challenge to Labour Government reforms to agricultural and business property relief. John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said the findings demonstrated clear public sentiment against the tax.
“The British public clearly recognise that inheritance tax is an almost uniquely bad tax, given their unanimous support for cutting or abolishing it altogether,” he said.
He suggested that while some reforms could provide temporary relief, a complete overhaul was necessary.
“While there are certain reforms – such as lifting thresholds – that could ease some of the pain, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the only acceptable solution in the long term is complete abolition,” he added.
O’Connell called on politicians to take decisive action based on public opinion. “Our political leaders now need to listen to the electorate that put them in office and scrap inheritance tax once and for all.”
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James Frayne, Chairman of Public First, highlighted politicians’ historical misjudgment of public sentiment towards the tax.
“For twenty years, polls have shown how much voters detest inheritance tax but politicians still blunder into raising it, only to be shocked when their ratings go down,” he said.
Frayne criticised the fundamental nature of the tax and its impact on bereaved families.
“It’s a stupid tax: It raises comparatively little but sends a message that the state is prepared to tax you even when you’re grieving for lost relatives,” he added.