The announcement in the Autumn Budget regarding restrictions to inheritance tax (IHT) agricultural and business property relief from April 2026 has caused significant concern among farming businesses, prompting a demonstration in London on 19th November.

From 6 April 2026, it is proposed that 100% relief will only apply to the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property, with relief reducing to 50% on any value exceeding £1 million. This change is aimed at focusing the relief on small family farms and businesses. However, with prime agricultural land prices currently exceeding £10,000 per acre and the cost of a new combine harvester nearing £1 million, many farming businesses are likely to surpass the proposed £1 million threshold. At £10,000 per acre, a farm of just 100 acres would exceed the threshold, potentially requiring the sale of land to cover the IHT liability, thereby threatening the viability of the business.

It is worth noting that the IHT on agricultural property and business assets can be paid to HMRC in 10 interest-free instalments, but meeting these payments without selling assets could prove challenging.