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Key considerations: Leaving a gift to charity in your Will

2 minute read

Wills, Trusts and Probate

Charley Griffiths
Changes to Wills

Deciding how to leave a gift to charity

If you wish to leave a gift to charity in your Will, there are some things to consider. Deciding which charity to leave a gift to is just one of the key decisions you will need to make. 

Gifts to charity in Wills can be given in different ways. You can decide if you want to leave them a pecuniary legacy (cash gift), specific items or a percentage of your residuary estate. 

Inheritance tax considerations

Whilst having the benefit of helping a good cause, leaving a gift to a charity can also reduce inheritance tax liability. Inheritance tax is currently charged at 40% on the value of an estate above the available tax-free thresholds.

Effect of gifts to charity on inheritance tax:

  • Gifts - gifts made to charities via a Will are exempt from inheritance tax. Therefore, a charitable gift can reduce part of your estate which inheritance tax would be normally payable. 
  • Reduced rate of 36% for inheritance tax – where someone leaves at least 10% of their net estate to charities, a reduced inheritance tax rate of 36% can be applied to the rest of the estate, rather than the standard 40%. 
  • Leaving your entire estate to charity - If you leave your entire estate to charity, it will be exempt from inheritance tax, and none will be payable. 

UK charities who are registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales qualify for the inheritance tax charitable exemption. 

Free Wills Month

Several charities and solicitors’ firms participate in a UK-wide campaign called Free Wills Month. It usually runs twice nationally throughout the year with the next one being October 2026. If you want to leave a gift to a charity in your Will and benefit from Free Wills month, please contact your chosen charity for their requirements and eligibility.

During September and October 2026, we are proud to be supporting St Gemma’s Hospice during their Free Wills Month campaign. 

If you are considering leaving a gift to charity in your Will or have one in your existing Will and have questions about this, please contact our expert team.