The threshold for inheritance tax was raised

In 2026, inheritance tax is imposed if the inheritance is valued at €30,000 or more. If you received the inheritance before 2026, you must pay inheritance tax if the inheritance is valued at €20,000 or more. In addition, if you inherited usual household effects, you must pay inheritance tax only if the value exceeds €7,500 (previously €4,000). The deed of estate inventory must state only that the usual household effects are valued at less than €7,500.

The interest applied during the payment period of inheritance tax is lowered by 1.5 percentage points, so the interest collected on a delayed payment is lower than before. Starting on 1 January 2026, the interest rate is the official reference rate of the Bank of Finland plus 2 percentage points (previously by 3.5 percentage points).

Inheritors under 18 also qualify for a tax relief for generational transfer in 2026.

Changes to inheritance taxation apply to situations where the deceased person passed away or the tax liability started for another reason on 1 January 2026 or after.

The threshold for gift tax was raised

Donations of less than €7,500 are not subject to gift tax. Previously, the threshold was €5,000.

You must pay gift tax in 2026 only if the value of the gifts you have received from the same donor within 3 years totals €7,500 or more. If there are no previous donations, a person can give another person a gift valued at €7,499 in 2026 without a gift tax being imposed.

If you received usual household effects as a gift, you must pay gift tax only if the value exceeds €7,500. Previously, the threshold was €4,000. In other words, usual household effects are not subject to gift tax unless the value of a single item exceeds €7,500.

Changes to gift tax concern situations where the gift recipient receives a gift or a minor receives a donation on or after 1 January 2026.

More information: Government proposal HE 94/2025 (available in Finnish and Swedish, link to Finnish)