, 84% of parents help their adult children buy property, making the "Bank of Mum and Dad"

. However, if you are planning to help your children with the purchase of their first property, you should know in advance what benefits and consequences this

How the Bank of Mum and Dad reshaped the British economy

It was believed that many young people find it challenging to pay the cash deposit due to the rising cost of living, 

, and the high cost of real estate. However, a 

 Bank of Family Report shows that financial support from family members is expected to help fund nearly half of home purchases from buyers under the age of 55 this year. In the report, it is estimated that financial aid from families will support 318,400 UK property purchases by 2023, up from 225,400 in 2019.

Even adults in their 20s or 30s are seeking help from their families. Additionally, individuals who are 55 years old and purchasing their first home are also requesting financial aid from their parents. 

Another recent report from Legal and General reveals that the “Bank of Mum and Dad” now contributes to 26% of funds to the UK housing market, with parents giving the amount for that first payment as either a gift (57%), a no-interest loan (18.3%) or one with interest (4.8%) 

The Bank of Family

The bank of mum and dad grew to prominence in the last decade, particularly due to the difficulties the current generation has to save large amounts of money compared to that of their parents. Sure enough, the “baby boomer” generation has done very well, having become a very wealthy generation due not only to profits from things like the defined 

 salary scheme and house price increases in the past decades, for instance, but also from working hard and living frugally 

Wealth and welfare across generations

It is important to keep in mind that the current life expectancy in the UK is 80.9 years, meaning that the children of someone who passes after 80 are probably around 55, which is also the average age of inheritance according to the 

. At the same time, while one study from the ONS showed that adults in the UK expect to receive an inheritance of £132,000, the current average inheritance in the UK is around £11,000. Since many may need financial help before the inheritance age or may require a larger sum, considering gifting part of the inheritance earlier might be a great way to give them the support they need, and also avoid some 

There are several different ways in which parents can help, so it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each and take steps to avoid any misunderstandings that could cause family rifts.

The simplest and most common way for parents to help their children to buy a home is to give them the deposit money as a gift. The offspring can then arrange a mortgage knowing that the deposit is in place.

However, one of the most common issues that crop up when helping children out with their deposit is whether the money was in fact a gift or a loan. A gifted deposit must come with no obligation to repay the money. Misunderstandings over money can cause irreparable harm within a family, so it’s essential to communicate at every stage of the process, and wherever possible, to put the terms of any agreement in writing 

How intra-generational transfers disrupt inter-generational strategies

Be aware of inheritance tax rules on gifts

To avoid paying inheritance tax, make sure you understand the 

 implications of giving money to your children. There are strict limits to the amount of money you can give away as gifts to your inheritors, as making gifts reduces the potential inheritance tax due on your estate 

How Inheritance Tax works: thresholds, rules and allowances

The IHT applies not only to cash but also to other assets, like cars and wedding gifts, so inform yourself about the limitations and the rules before deciding how you want to execute that gift.

As a rule, large sums of money gifted to a beneficiary takes seven years before it falls outside of your taxable estate. In other words, should you die within seven years of gifting the deposit, the gift could still be subject to inheritance tax, which your child will have to pay. This is just another good reason why you should keep written records of when the gift was made (so that 

 can determine when the seven-year clock begins), and that your financial adviser or 

For those parents who feel uncomfortable with making a gift that won’t ever be repaid, lending the money is the second most popular option. Once again, it’s important to be very clear about the assistance that the “bank of mum and dad” is prepared to give. 

If you’re offering a loan, you should clearly set out the loan repayment schedule, the repayment amounts, and the interest rate (if any) you expect your child to pay on top of the loan.

Of course, you can always choose to ‘write off’ the loan at a later date, or arrange for the loan amount to be deducted from their inheritance.

Traditional mortgage brokers don’t really like the idea of potential customers borrowing money to fund their deposits, even if it is coming from the bank of mum and dad. From their perspective, this parental support should be considered as a loan on the mortgage application.

Some lenders won’t accept a mortgage application if it shows the borrower owes a large sum to their parents that needs to be repaid on top of their mortgage repayments. Those mortgage lenders that do allow borrowers to have other loans on their application may offer a smaller mortgage amount or higher borrowing costs. 

So, it is important that you factor all of these issues in before drawing up a loan agreement for your child to sign.

If neither of these options sounds appealing, or if you don’t have spare cash for a deposit, you might consider being named as the guarantor or co-signer on your adult child’s mortgage. This guarantee helps borrowers who may not have enough money to buy a property. They can borrow up to 100% of the property's value.

But signing on as mortgage guarantor is a big step, as should the buyer default on their mortgage repayments, you would be required to step in and, in the worst-case scenario, your own home would be at risk.

Another option for parents to explore is to apply for a joint mortgage on the property alongside their offspring. This is often used as a way to help children buy a more expensive property than they could afford on their own, as their parents’ earnings will also be taken into account by the lender when assessing affordability.

However, this is usually only an option where the parents are still working and earning a regular income. New mortgage rules may prevent some older parents from being able to get another mortgage. If the home is considered a second property, there may also be stamp duty implications.

Finally, parents also need to bear in mind that being named on a joint mortgage could affect their credit score, and affect their ability to get credit in the future, especially if their adult child has a poor credit history.

The need for the bank of mum and dad isn’t going away any time soon. Offering financial assistance to your children can be an invaluable way of helping to set your children up for the future. But if you’re prepared to become a banking facility, you should make sure you do it as professionally as possible.

Like a bank keeping financial records, you should keep important documents to resolve disputes with your family or HMRC. This ensures that you are clear about your intentions and that everyone knows where they stand.

Before you make any promises to your children, we suggest you talk to an experienced and qualified professional to make sure raiding pensions and cash savings don’t leave you struggling to meet your own financial needs in the future. A financial adviser will be able to guide you through all these options, helping you choose the best one for you and your family. 

 – Around 1 in 4 first-time buyers now rely on parental funding, showing how the Bank of Mum and Dad shapes UK property purchases.

 – Gifting deposits remains the most straightforward route, but proper documentation is essential to manage inheritance tax and avoid disputes.

 – Lending money to children should involve written agreements to clarify repayment terms and safeguard both sides.

 – Acting as a guarantor can boost borrowing power, but parents risk liability if children default on repayments.

 – Joint mortgages increase affordability but may trigger higher stamp duty, affect credit profiles, and restrict future borrowing.

 – Financial and wealth management guidance ensures support strategies balance children’s needs with parents’ long-term wealth protection.

Helping children to buy property

If you earn between £100,000 and £125,140 a year, you are a victim of an anomaly in the 

 system that causes you to lose more than half of your income to tax: the 60% tax trap 

. This peculiar irregularity in the tax system can result in an effective tax rate that exceeds the official top rate of 45%, creating financial challenges for individuals in this taxable income bracket. In this article, we look at this issue and offer you some possible options to avoid falling into the trap.

Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances

The root cause of the 60% tax trap is the reduction in the personal allowance, the amount of income that is exempt from tax. Currently set at £12,570, this allowance gradually decreases by £1 for every additional £2 earned above £100,000. As a result, for every £100 earned between £100,000 and £125,140, only £40 ends up in your pocket - £40 in income tax and a further £20 lost to the reduction in the personal allowance 

The hidden 60% tax rate – and how to avoid it

, one of the UK's largest wealth management firms, explains it even better: "Suppose you earn £110,000 - or £10,000 above the threshold. Not only would you pay £4,000 in higher rate tax on that £10,000, but you'd also lose £5,000 of your personal allowance. And with £5,000 of your personal allowance gone, that part of your income will now also be taxed at 40%, costing you a further £2,000. In other words, you'd only be able to keep £4,000 of that £10,000, which equates to a 60% tax rate 

60% tax trap Earn between £100,000 and £125,140? Don’t get caught in the tax trap.

If you live in Scotland, the situation is even worse for higher-rate individuals, with an effective tax rate of 63%. This is because income in the higher rate band is taxed at 42% in Scotland. Using the same example, you'd pay £4,200 tax on the £10,000 of income above the threshold, plus £2,100 tax on your lost personal allowance. Of the £10,000, you'd only take home £3,700, giving you an effective tax rate of 63%.

Mitigating the impact with pension contributions

While the 60% tax trap may seem like a concern only for the financially fortunate, there are effective strategies to mitigate its impact. One such strategy is the use of pension contributions, a move that not only reduces your income tax liability but also improves your financial future.

 contributions play a dual role in combating the 60% tax trap. Firstly, they help to reclaim your personal allowance and secondly, they provide tax relief on the amount you contribute. For example, if you earn £100,000 and receive a bonus of £1,000, contributing this bonus to your pension not only gives you a 40% higher rate tax relief but also reduces your annual income, keeping it below the £100,000 threshold and preventing you from entering the 60% tax trap 

Tax on your private pension contributions

Demystifying Pensions: A powerful tax planning tool

Contrary to the misconception that pensions are inflexible or boring, they prove to be a highly effective tax planning tool. The government incentivises pension saving by offering generous tax relief rates that mirror those paid on earned income. Basic rate taxpayers receive 20%, higher rate residents receive 40% and additional rate taxpayers receive an impressive 45% tax relief on their pension contributions 

 Number of people caught in 60% ‘tax trap’ up 45% in two years

 Financial Planners reminds us to keep in mind that there is a limit of £60,000 for annual pension contributions. Additionally, individuals with a taxable income exceeding £260,000 will experience a reduction in their annual pension allowance. For every £2 earned above £260,000, the personal allowance decreases by £1. To avoid any surprise tax bills due to unintentional breaches of the cap, seeking the assistance of a financial adviser is highly recommended.

Having a knowledgeable adviser by your side is crucial when it comes to navigating the ever-changing landscape of tax and pension rules. With regulations being subject to sudden modifications, having someone who can stay informed and keep you updated is invaluable. An experienced adviser can identify any potential impacts on your personal situation and guide you on how to respond effectively. By having an expert on hand, you can confidently stay ahead of any changes that may affect your tax and pension planning.

Navigating Complexity with Professional Guidance

It is important to recognise the complexity of pension planning. While pensions offer significant benefits, determining whether or not significant contributions are appropriate for your personal circumstances requires careful consideration. Seeking professional financial advice is essential in such scenarios, as financial advisors can assess your situation and tailor a strategy to meet your specific needs.

Let us not succumb to the challenges of the 60% tax trap. Instead, let us empower ourselves with the tools and strategies available, such as pension contributions, to ensure that we are not burdened with unnecessary tax payments. Remember, it is not just about the money we earn, but also the money we keep for a secure financial future. Make your pension work for you.

Compare Wealth Managers offers a free service to help you find a wealth manager. Simply click the orange "start comparing" button to get started.

, applying once income exceeds £100,000 as the personal allowance is withdrawn.

, helping avoid the 60% marginal rate while strengthening long-term retirement planning.

, with higher and additional-rate taxpayers able to claim 40%–45% relief on contributions.

Salary sacrifice schemes improve efficiency

, reducing both income tax and National Insurance for employees and employers.

, letting investors use up to three years of unused pension allowances.

Strategic pension planning protects wealth

, with wealth managers ensuring allowances are optimised across tax years.

Proactive financial planning maximises outcomes

, converting potential tax losses into enhanced long-term wealth creation.

Navigating the 60% Tax Trap:  Using your pension contributions to achieve financial success

Gifting can be a powerful tool in estate planning, particularly for high-net-worth individuals seeking to pass wealth on tax-efficiently. But understanding the rules around 

, especially the seven-year rule, is essential to avoid unintended liabilities. Here's what you need to know, based on guidance from 

Not all financial gifts are equal in the eyes of HMRC. Some are immediately exempt from IHT, while others may become taxable depending on their size, structure, and timing.

, the following gifts are typically tax-free 

Gifts between spouses or civil partners (provided both are UK-domiciled)

Up to £3,000 per tax year (the annual exemption)

Small gifts under £250 per person per tax year

Regular gifts made from surplus income; these must be part of a consistent pattern and not affect your standard of living

Gifts that don’t qualify for these exemptions are classed as 

, and that’s where the seven-year rule becomes relevant.

 explain, PETs are only fully exempt from IHT if the donor survives for seven years after the gift is made. If the donor dies within that period, the gift becomes “chargeable” and may reduce the available nil-rate band (currently £325,000 per person) 

Inheritance tax: the risks of giving the family home to your children early

For example, if someone gives away £100,000 and dies within seven years, their nil-rate band is reduced to £225,000, increasing the IHT exposure on their estate.

If death occurs between three and seven years after a gift is made, taper relief can reduce the amount of tax payable on the gift, though not on the rest of the estate.

It’s important to note, as Evelyn highlights, that 

More Complex Gifting: Trusts and the 14-Year Rule

If you're using trusts as part of your estate plan, things can get more complicated. Certain gifts into trusts may trigger immediate IHT charges. In some cases, the 14-year rule can apply, where earlier gifts affect how later ones are taxed, especially if multiple gifts were made in succession. Professional guidance is essential here to avoid overlapping liabilities 

How to gift your way to a lower inheritance tax bill

Real-World Examples: How Gifting Impacts Tax Bills

Evelyn Partners provides illustrative case studies 

Families warned on surprise inheritance tax bills as more gifts come with tax sting in the tail

Mrs Smith gave her son £100,000 and died four years later. This reduced her nil-rate band and led to an IHT bill of £310,000 on her £1 million estate.

Mr Jones gave his daughter £500,000 and died six years later. His daughter benefited from taper relief, paying only £14,000 on the gift above the nil-rate band, but the entire estate remained fully taxable.

You can explore those full examples in Evelyn’s article 

The seven-year rule - why it matters when making financial gifts

Recent Trends: A Surge in Lifetime Gifting

, UK parents gave a record £9.6 billion to their children in 2024, much of it to help with 

 purchases, and often with the intention of minimising future IHT.

This growing trend reflects increased awareness of IHT thresholds and the benefits of acting early. More families are using exemptions like the annual allowance and the seven-year rule to pass on wealth during their lifetime, helping loved ones now while reducing the potential tax burden on their estate later 

UK could raise more inheritance tax by adopting measures used by G7 peers, says think-tank

Final Thought: Professional Advice is Key

The potential tax savings from thoughtful gifting are significant, but so are the risks if done improperly. A qualified 

Determine how much you can afford to gift without impacting long-term security

Ensure gifts are structured to make the most of exemptions and reliefs

Document surplus income gifts appropriately

Manage any exposure from trust-based giving

, we connect clients with trusted firms like Evelyn Partners and others, all of whom offer deep estate planning expertise. If you're thinking about making financial gifts, professional advice is one of the best gifts you can give not only yourself, but your beneficiaries too.

If you’re looking to get the ball rolling in terms of finding expert financial advice, just click the orange “Start comparing” button now to get going, or check out our 5* reviews from 

 – Lifetime gifts within HMRC allowances can lower your estate’s value and reduce future inheritance tax exposure.

 – Larger gifts are classed as potentially exempt transfers and only become tax-free if you survive seven years, with taper relief applying in some cases.

 – Regular gifts made from surplus income, rather than capital, are exempt from inheritance tax if they do not reduce your standard of living.

 – Trusts and other estate planning tools can protect family wealth, improve tax efficiency, and ensure funds pass to the right beneficiaries.

 – Gifts with reservation or poorly structured transfers may still be counted within your estate for inheritance tax purposes.

 – Wealth managers help integrate gifting, tax strategy, and estate planning into a cohesive approach to long-term wealth protection.

Financial Gifts and Inheritance Tax: What Investors Need to Know

Head of content writing at Compare Wealth Managers.

Mariel Diez

Bio

Articles from author

Helping children to buy property

Navigating the 60% Tax Trap: Using your pension contributions to achieve financial success

Financial Gifts and Inheritance Tax: What Investors Need to Know

Start your journey to your
Financial well-being

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Mariel Diez

Bio

Articles from author

Helping children to buy property

Navigating the 60% Tax Trap: Using your pension contributions to achieve financial success

Financial Gifts and Inheritance Tax: What Investors Need to Know

Start your journey to your Financial well-being

FIND OUT MORE

LEGAL

CONTACT US

Start your journey to your
Financial well-being