Latest findings from our Professional Adviser Tracking Study show that upcoming Inheritance Tax (IHT) changes are already beginning to influence the charitable Will-writing market, with professional advisers reporting an increase in demand for estate planning advice and predicting that legacy consideration will rise.

What are the changes?

In the Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced that IHT thresholds would remain frozen until 2030, and that, from April 2027, pension wealth would no longer be exempt from IHT. As such, it’s estimated that the proportion of estates facing an IHT bill will almost double by 2030**. This increases the scope for estates to benefit from charitable gift exemptions and the reduced rate of IHT (36%), which applies to estates where 10% or more of net value is donated to charity.

Key Findings

• 92% of professional advisers believe that estate and tax planning will become even more important following the Inheritance Tax (IHT) changes announced in the 2024 Autumn Statement;
• 60% say they are already receiving more requests for advice;
• 65% say that the charitable tax incentives will become even more important to their client base; and
• 62% think more people will consider leaving a gift to charity.

Growing relevance of charitable giving in estate planning

Released today, our Professional Adviser Tracking Study – carried out by Savanta – reveals that 60% of professional advisers (solicitors, Will-writers and financial advisers) are receiving an increase in requests for advice about estate or inheritance planning since the IHT changes were announced. 9 in 10 advisers expect estate and tax planning to become more important under the IHT changes (92%), and that more people will need to consider how to mitigate the tax due (91%). Only 15% think there will be no discernible impact from the changes.

As more estates fall within the scope of IHT, two thirds of advisers believe that the charitable tax incentives will become an even more important consideration for their clients (65%), and that a greater number of people will consider leaving a gift to charity (62%) from their estate. 

Tanya Watson, Chartered Tax Adviser and Senior Director at Alvarez & Marsal Tax LLP, says:

“The changes to IHT are prompting a fundamental reassessment of estate planning strategies, particularly among clients who may not have previously been impacted. What we’re seeing is a growing need for tailored advice that balances financial objectives with personal values. Charitable giving can be a highly effective planning tool, and these changes provide a timely reason for advisers to revisit legacy plans with clients who may not have considered this route before.”

Advisers’ key role in growing legacy giving

When it comes to Will-writing, 77% of solicitors and Will-writers now say they always or sometimes proactively raise the charitable option with clients (up from 72% in 2023). Charitable gifts are becoming more prevalent over time, with an average of 21% of Wills written through a solicitor or Will-writer now including a donation. This rises to 24% amongst those who always reference charitable legacies with clients and falls to 14% of those who never do.

Tax incentives are the most prevalent reason advisers give for raising the topic of legacy giving with clients. 92% of solicitors and Will-writers and 86% of financial advisers in the study say they always or sometimes advise their Will-writing clients of the charitable tax incentives.

Lucinda Frostick, Director of Remember A Charity, says:

“Professional advisers can have a profound impact on clients’ decision-making. While talking philanthropy isn’t always their comfort zone, fiscal incentives are – forming a natural starting point for approaching charitable giving. Even though the reasons for giving extend far beyond tax incentives, these IHT changes make the legacy conversation more relevant to a wider group. They present an ideal opportunity for advisers to raise the topic, building understanding of legacy giving and inspiring more clients to support the causes they care about.” 

Eleanor Evans TEP, Partner, Trusts and Estates Administration at Hugh James, says:

"We’re already seeing an increase in clients seeking early advice on estate planning. Many people choose to leave legacies to benefit a cause they care about, and the tax breaks for gifts to charity provide an added incentive. As more estates will become liable for IHT once the changes take effect, charitable giving is becoming an increasingly important part of the estate planning conversation."

The Remember A Charity annual benchmarking study is carried out by Savanta. The 2024/25 edition, released today, is based on in-depth telephone interviews with 237 solicitors, professional Will-writers and independent financial advisers across the UK. The research was carried out between November 2024 and February 2025.