Inheritance Tax Acts Preface

This publication sets out the statutory provisions (contained in Acts and regulations) which relate to inheritance tax.

The major part of this work consists of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 which was originally published as the Capital Transfer Tax Act 1984 ("the 1984 Act"). The change in title occurred when inheritance tax replaced capital transfer tax with effect from 25 July 1986. This work also contains those parts of the Finance Acts (1985 to date) which affect the 1984 Act; certain enactments not forming part of the inheritance tax code but affecting its application; subordinate legislation; a list of Orders in Council giving effect to double taxation agreements; and an index.

In one respect, the text published in this work differs from the statutory text. Despite the change in title, the statutory text of the Act still refers to capital transfer tax. To make the work more helpful to users and consistent with its title, the text of the 1984 Act and other legislation prior to 25 July 1986 is published with inheritance tax substituted for capital transfer tax.

For events occurring before 1 January 1985 (when the 1984 Act became operative) the Finance Acts 1975 to 1984 inclusive will continue to apply. In this connection reference should be made to the 1982 edition of this work together with the 1983 and 1984 supplements. Apart from the substitution of inheritance tax for capital transfer tax in the text of the 1984 Act and other legislation prior to 25 July 1986, this work conforms to the standard editorial principles of the Taxes Acts series. Cross-references to former enactments are shown in the margins. Repealed matter is in italic type with a footnote or, if its inclusion is unnecessary, omitted. Textual amendments, including additions to any enactment are included as part of that enactment in ordinary type enclosed in square brackets, with a footnote giving the reference to the amending enactment and, where necessary, the previous wording of the amended enactment. Where the effect of an enactment is modified or extended by a later enactment without specific amendment of the original words, the change is indicated by a footnote. Companion volumes set out the provisions governing liability to, and the administration of, income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax and petroleum revenue tax.