Lifetime discretionary trust / IHT treatment / GROB

Good afternoon,

I wonder if someone can please confirm I am along the right lines.

I am dealing with the estate of J. In 2014, J transferred her main residence into a lifetime discretionary trust together with the sum of £10 (on the same day!). The value of the property at the time was £100,000.

Under the terms of the trust, J is the principal beneficiary. J was entitled to any income from the trust fund during lifetime. Other discretionary beneficiaries are named as J’s nieces and their issue.

J has now died in 2026. For the purposes of completing and submitting the IHT400, am I correct in thinking that I declare the date of death value of the property as a GROB on the IHT403? J lived in the property rent free up until death.

Thank you

Yes, I agree.

Incidentally, while nothing turns on it here, I would not usually refer to a trust in which a person has a right to income as a discretionary trust. Rather it is an interest in possession trust, with discretionary overriding trusts/powers or discretionary trusts in remainder (or both). That doesn’t stop it being relevant property or a GROB for IHT.

Thank you Andrew, much appreciated. Apologies yes - IIP trust during her lifetime.

I agree. The 2014 transfer has ceased to cumulate of course. There will be no RNRB as the GROB was made to a trust: cf s.8J(6) IHTA.

For CGT there will be PPRR for trustees but after the death a non-exempt period will begin if no other eligible beneficiary resides to satisfy the condition for relief ; although the last 9 months of ownership before any future disposal will be a qualifying period.

Jack Harper