The mark of the conservation professional
IHBC: Minimise your membership fees
IHBC SUBSCRIPTION FEES
For the year 2026/27 the IHBC's membership fee is £160, with a Concessionary Rate of £80 for those on an income under £19,000.
Many employers pay for one or more professional subscriptions. IHBC fees ordinarily qualify for such payments, depending on your job. If your employer does not pay your IHBC fees, be sure to claim fees as a tax relief under 1 below.
MINIMISE YOUR FEES
As a charity, the affordability of the IHBC's services is a priority for the Institute provided it does not undermine our charitable objects. There are several options for minimising your subscription fees:
1. USE TAX RELIEF TO CUT COSTS BY 20-40% OR MORE
IHBC fees are tax deductible as a professional expense, so through tax relief you can reduce the cost to you by 20% (basic rate tax payer) to 40% or more (see: https://www.hmrc.gov.uk/list3/index.htm)
- If you do not complete a tax return, be sure to complete an HMRC form P87 to ask for the cost of your subscription to IHBC to be deducted through your tax code (IHBC is on HMRC's 'List 3' under 'Historic Building Conservation, Inst. For'). Alternatively, you can sign into your Government Gateway account and claim online.
- If you complete a tax return, be sure to claim the relevant relief for the tax year in the employment section of your return (Under 'Employment Expenses; Professional fees')
- If you have not claimed tax relief before you may be able to claim retrospectively for up to four years, be sure to check with your local tax office.
2. INCOME BELOW £19,000? REDUCE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION BY UP TO 50%
If your annual income is £19,000 or less, you may qualify for Concessionary status. Download the Concessionary Form HERE. Proof of income is required before the concession can be confirmed. This payment also qualifies for tax relief under 1 above. For queries contact our Membership Services Officer at membershipservices@ihbc.org.uk
3. RETIRED? REDUCE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION BY UP TO 50%
If you are a Full member and no longer practising as you are retired, and you want to maintain your membership benefits and contacts, you can register for Retired status. Download the Retired Confirmation Form HERE. If, after moving to retired status you wish to continue to practice after all, it is possible to return to being a Full Member for up to 5 years where full CPD records can be supplied for the intervening period. Contact the Membership Services Officer at membershipservices@ihbc.org.uk for more information
4. FEE SUPPORT
If you are not eligible for Concessionary status and/ or are facing circumstances that mean our fees are not affordable then you should apply for the IHBC’s fee support. To find out more please follow this link.
HELP US TO HELP YOU: DONATE TO IHBC NOW!
The IHBC is a registered UK charity and our work is guided and regulated by charity law across the UK.
If you would like to help us improve our support for conservation please consider making a donation towards our charitable activities. Donations might take the form of financial contributions, or other transfers such as the return of expense payments made using our Expenses Form.
Any donations will help cover the costs of our operations. If used with Gift Aid a donation will cost you substantially less than it benefits us, again helping keep your subscription costs down.
If you would like to learn more about donating please write to our Honorary Treasurer at donate@ihbc.org.uk , or follow the links on our web site.
For subscription queries please contact Carmen Moran, IHBC Membership Services Officer at:
membershipservices@ihbc.org.uk
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