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Sisters await results of tax case Sisters lose European tax case
(about 1 hour later)
Two elderly sisters are due to learn later if their battle over inheritance tax has been successful. Two elderly sisters from Wiltshire have lost their final battle to avoid paying a massive inheritance tax bill.
Joyce Burden, 90, and her sister Sybil, 82, have lived together in Marlborough, Wiltshire, all their lives. Joyce and Sybil Burden, aged 90 and 82 respectively, have lived together in Marlborough all their lives.
Last year they appealed against a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that inheritance tax should be paid when the first of them dies. Last year they appealed against a ruling that inheritance tax should be paid when the first of them dies.
The sisters said this would not happen if they were a married or gay couple. A judgment is expected on Tuesday. The sisters said this would not happen if they were a married or gay couple. Human Rights judges in Strasbourg have now ruled against them.
The Burdens started writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1976 urging that cohabiting family members should be treated the same as married couples for inheritance tax purposes.The Burdens started writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1976 urging that cohabiting family members should be treated the same as married couples for inheritance tax purposes.
When the UK Civil Partnership Act of 2004 recognised gay and lesbian couples for inheritance tax purposes, the sisters turned to the European Court of Human Rights.When the UK Civil Partnership Act of 2004 recognised gay and lesbian couples for inheritance tax purposes, the sisters turned to the European Court of Human Rights.
Their lawyers argued that the Act breaches Human Rights Convention articles outlawing discrimination and guaranteeing the "protection of property".Their lawyers argued that the Act breaches Human Rights Convention articles outlawing discrimination and guaranteeing the "protection of property".
The sisters lost the case by the narrowest of margins - a 4-3 vote of the seven-judge court.The sisters lost the case by the narrowest of margins - a 4-3 vote of the seven-judge court.
After hearing their appeal, Human Rights judges in Strasbourg are due to give their verdict. After hearing their appeal, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has now ruled against them.
If the Burdens lose, when one of them dies, the surviving sister will have to sell their four-bedroom house, valued in 2006 at £875,000, to pay the 40% inheritance tax on its value above £300,000. When one dies, the surviving sister will have to sell their four-bedroom house, valued in 2006 at £875,000, to pay the 40% inheritance tax on its value above £300,000.