He has been a farmer all of his life and has no intention of retiring.
Options to consider
John lives in Dublin and is an accountant and has no interest in farming. Jack lives nearby and has a successful business as the local dentist. Maura is a nurse living and working in London for the past 20 years. Having done some research he understands that there are a number of conditions to satisfy to get the 90% agricultural relief that is available against inheritance tax.
Financial test for agricultural relief
The financial test that must be satisfied is that the child he gives the property to must have 80% agricultural assets after getting the farm.
Farmer Activity test for agricultural relief
Maura will meet that financial test but Eamon's concern is that she has no interest in farming and has a family in London. He is aware that she will still get the tax relief if she leases out the land to a local active farmer for a six year period and the local farmer farms the land on a commercial basis for the 6 years.
However this will mean that a stranger will be farming his land and Eamon is uncomfortable with this happening.
He thinks that Jack is the most likely one of his children to hold onto the farm and keep it in the family name but Eamon is concerned at the amount of tax that Jack will have to pay if he gives him the farm.
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