Comedian Ricky Gervais has joked that the United Kingdom's inheritance tax could be the final push he needs to marry his partner of over 40 years, Jane Fallon. In an interview with Saga Magazine, Gervais was asked if the tax, which can take up to 40% of assets exceeding £325,000, might be a reason to formalize their relationship.
"It is," Gervais stated, according to the magazine. "And that will be the reason I marry. We haven’t done it yet. But if it wasn’t for [tax]... why? It's mad. How much more married can you be? We share all our money; we've been living together for 40 years. Some marriages don't last a year."
Under UK law, married couples are exempt from inheritance tax, a benefit not extended to cohabiting partners. Gervais quipped, "It’s horrible, isn’t it? I’ve got to get around to marrying, before I die."
His comments come several months after Fallon announced her diagnosis with early-stage breast cancer. She has since undergone surgeries and shared her experiences on social media.
Adam Michel, Director of Tax Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, commented that Gervais' perspective is a common international view on wealth taxes. "This is also a broader warning against proposals to impose annual wealth taxes," Michel said. "An estate tax is a wealth tax levied just once at death. Annual wealth taxes apply a similar penalty every year."
Michel further noted that estate taxes can have broader economic consequences, particularly when wealth is invested in businesses. "And most wealth is in productive, ongoing businesses, not yachts and artwork. These costs explain the worldwide trend of countries repealing estate taxes."
Gervais also touched on the topic of cancel culture, stating that it has