Housing fuels 8% rise in IHT take Inheritance tax (IHT) paid to the government rose by 8 per cent last year driven by a recovery in property prices, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). An ONS report published this week found the IHT take in the tax year ending April 2013 was £3.1bn, up from £2.9bn the previous year. The ONS said the "recovery in property prices, household savings and equities has contributed to the recovery in overall tax take." Julie Hutchison, head of family wealth transfer at Standard Life, said: "With the IHT nil rate band set to remain at £325,000 until at least 2018 these stats are a timely reminder that failing to regularly review planning can prove costly."