From 6 April 2026, Business Property Relief on AIM shares drops from 100% to 50%, and a new £1 million cap means larger portfolios lose relief entirely. Clients who haven't restructured by April face six‑figure IHT liabilities that didn't exist before.
The Autumn Budget 2024 announced the most significant changes to Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief in over 30 years. These take effect from 6 April 2026.
AIM-listed shares currently qualify for 100% BPR, making them completely exempt from IHT. From April 2026, this drops to 50%. A client with a £1m AIM portfolio currently pays £0 IHT on those shares. After April, the IHT exposure is up to £100,000.
A new £1 million cap applies to the combined value of BPR and APR qualifying assets receiving 100% relief. Assets above this threshold receive 50% relief at best. For AIM portfolios, this is particularly harsh — AIM shares already only get 50%, and any value above the £1m cap effectively gets 0%.
APR on agricultural land and property above £1m will also be restricted to 50% relief. Combined with BPR, this creates a single £1m threshold. Farming families with significant land holdings face new IHT exposure for the first time.
Many restructuring strategies — trust settlements, lifetime gifts, portfolio rebalancing — need time to take effect. A gift made today starts the 7-year clock for IHT taper relief. Gifts made after April face the new rules immediately. The effective planning window is closing.
Need to brief your private client team? We'll run a free CPD session at your offices or via video call.
Register Your Interest →The table below shows the IHT impact on AIM portfolios of various sizes, assuming no other BPR/APR qualifying assets and no nil-rate band available.
| AIM Portfolio Value | Current IHT (100% BPR) | New IHT (From April 2026) | Additional IHT Liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| £500,000 | £0 | £50,000 | +£50,000 |
| £750,000 | £0 | £75,000 | +£75,000 |
| £1,000,000 | £0 | £100,000 | +£100,000 |
| £1,500,000 | £0 | £200,000 | +£200,000 |
| £2,000,000 | £0 | £300,000 | +£300,000 |
| £3,000,000 | £0 | £500,000 | +£500,000 |
Illustrative figures. AIM shares above £1m cap receive 0% relief (not 50%). Actual liability depends on nil-rate band availability, other BPR/APR assets, and estate composition. Every client's situation requires individual analysis.
These numbers are a wake-up call for AIM investors. Share this page with colleagues who advise high-net-worth clients.
Get a Personalised Briefing →Whether you'd like a CPD session for your team, a referral arrangement for IHT casework, or simply want to stay informed — register below and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
A tailored response based on what your team needs — from a full CPD session to a simple phone conversation about how we can support your clients through the April changes.
We've received your details and will respond within 24 hours to arrange next steps. In the meantime, feel free to share this page with any colleagues who advise clients with AIM portfolios, business interests, or agricultural property.
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We work alongside your team — not in competition with it. You manage the legal relationship; we handle the tax calculations, HMRC compliance, and specialist IHT advisory.
Detailed IHT liability calculations showing the impact of the April 2026 changes on your client's specific estate composition, including AIM, BPR, and APR assets.
Full IHT400 preparation and supporting schedules for probate. We handle the detailed computation so your team can focus on the legal administration.
Trust tax returns (SA900), trust IHT charges, exit charges, and ten-year anniversary calculations. Advice on trust restructuring ahead of the April changes.
APR eligibility assessments, farm succession planning, and IHT mitigation for agricultural estates affected by the new £1m cap.
Strategy advice on lifetime gifting, trust settlements, AIM portfolio rebalancing, and other planning opportunities that need to be actioned before 6 April 2026.
A straightforward referral arrangement. You refer clients who need specialist IHT tax work. We provide the service under your firm's relationship. Competitive, transparent fees.
TaxStats is a Manchester-based accounting practice specialising in tax compliance, estate planning, and technology-driven advisory services. We work with solicitors, financial planners, and wealth managers across England and Wales to provide specialist IHT support for their clients.
Our approach is straightforward: you manage the client relationship and the legal work; we handle the tax calculations, HMRC compliance, and specialist advisory that sits behind it. We're not looking to replace your team — we're here to support it with the technical tax expertise that complex IHT cases demand.
We provide real, human support. When you call, you speak to a qualified professional who knows your client's case — not a call centre or chatbot.
Every week that passes is a week closer to April where your clients' options narrow. If you advise anyone with AIM shares, business interests, or agricultural property — let's talk.
Or call 0161 XXX XXXX · [email protected] · TaxStats Ltd, Manchester