By Nakiwala Barbra
Farmers across the UK are rallying against changes to inheritance tax for farms announced in the recent Budget. Starting April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million will face a 20% tax on the value exceeding the threshold, a significant shift from the current full exemption.
The policy is expected to affect a small portion of farms annually—about 500 estates, according to the Treasury. However, farming organizations like the Country Land and Business Association argue that up to 70,000 farms, or roughly 30-35% of UK holdings, could eventually face the tax when inherited.
Critics, including Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, warn of potential damage to family farms and food security, while government officials maintain that only the wealthiest estates will be impacted. Analysis shows that the total untaxed allowance for couples, including other tax reliefs, could reach £3 million.
While the government expects the changes to raise up to £520 million annually by 2030, concerns remain about their impact on farming profits, which are often too low to cover such costs. Farmers inheriting land will have a 10-year, interest-free window to pay the tax, softening the immediate burden. Still, the debate continues over fairness and sustainability within the agricultural sector.
