It’s not just the wealthiest who are punished by inheritance tax

sir – Recent letters have discussed the possible scrapping of inheritance tax (December 28).

I am 86 years old. I was born and brought up in the Black Country, the eldest of four boys. Our father was a holder up in a steel rolling mill.

I went to grammar school, leaving at 16 with seven O-levels. I did National Service thereafter, and married the daughter of a miner. Together, we made our way in life with its ups and downs, both paying our dues as required.

We have two children and four grandchildren. I do not consider myself wealthy, my so-called estate consisting of a house I have lived in for over 50 years, plus a modest sum of savings and investments. I am advised that on my death, as things stand, my beneficiaries will have to find around £100,000 for inheritance tax before (perhaps lengthy) probate is granted. And all this simply because I have been conscientious, prudent – and died.

The system hardly seems fair. Arthur Nicholls Camberley, Surrey

sir – Some suggestions regarding the reform of inheritance tax:

First, it should not have to be paid until after the estate is settled.

Secondly, the element of the tax that is payable on a property should be delayed until the property is sold.

Thirdly, the rate should be reduced to an acceptable level (not one that requires an industry to avoid).

Finally, the threshold should be substantially increased to reflect inflation. Huw Wynne-Griffith London W8

sir – Why is it that some of your correspondents (Letters, December 28) think abolishing inheritance tax will be a vote winner for the Tories?

Currently, the tax applies to less than 5 per cent of UK estates; the latest figures show that 41,000 were liable to pay it in 2022-23. If the polls are to be believed, it is going to take more than these 41,000 (many of whom would probably vote Conservative anyway) to see Rishi Sunak returned to No 10.

In the meantime, thanks to freezing the allowances, many of our lower paid workers have been dragged into the tax bracket, including pensioners. For example, my wife deferred her retirement for several years, giving her an improved state pension which, last year, became liable for income tax. As she doesn’t have a private pension, or any other form of income, this means that she is paying tax on a pension that she contributed to with money that had already been taxed.

Rather than scrapping inheritance tax, the Conservatives should raise tax thresholds, which would benefit far more people.

Matthew Biddlecombe Sampford Courtenay, Devon

sir – Whenever the Conservative Party talks of scrapping inheritance tax you can guarantee that an election is imminent.

Strange that after 13 years of Tory government the tax still exists.

Mike Metcalfe Butleigh, Somerset