Farm inheritance tax, in plain English

Short guides to the rules that decide how much inheritance tax (CAT) is due when an Irish farm changes hands, and how to bring it down.

• Agricultural relief, explainedCuts the taxable value of farm property by 90%. What counts, the two tests, and how to keep it.
• The 80% farmer test, explainedThe test most people fail without realising. What counts, what's left out, and a worked example.
• Pensions and inheritance tax, explainedYour own pension and the 80% farmer test, and how a pension left to you is taxed.
• Gift now or inheritance later?The same inheritance tax either way, but a gift brings capital gains tax and stamp duty into it. How the reliefs compare.
• The farmhouse and inheritance taxWhen the farmhouse goes in with the farm, when the dwelling house exemption applies, and why it rarely covers a gift.
• Filing the IT38 returnWhen you must file, even with no tax to pay, the deadline, what you need to hand, and what a late return costs.
• Leasing, conacre and the reliefsHow a lease can keep agricultural relief and bring tax-free income, and why conacre does neither.
• Succession farm partnershipsFarm together, then transfer. The tax credit, rising to €10,000 a year for partnerships registered from 2027.
• Favourite nephew or niece reliefLets a nephew or niece who has worked the farm use the €420,000 threshold instead of €44,000.
• CAT thresholds after Budget 2027The new €420,000, €44,000 and €22,000 thresholds, who is in each group, and when to file.