Ricky Gervais jokes UK inheritance tax may finally push him to marry longtime partner after 40 years

Actor and comedian Ricky Gervais said Tuesday that the United Kingdom's inheritance tax could motivate him enough to marry his longtime partner, Jane Fallon, after more than 40 years.

In an interview with Saga Magazine , Gervais was asked whether the UK tax, which takes up to 40% of a deceased person's property and money if they are worth more than £325,000, could be a good reason to tie the knot with Fallon ever since their relationship began in 1982.

"It is," Gervais said.

"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." GOLDIE HAWN CREDITS ‘FREEDOM’ FOR KEEPING 43-YEAR RELATIONSHIP WITH KURT RUSSELL STRONG The UK allows an exception to the inheritance tax in the case of married couples, allowing couples to avoid the tax altogether so long as they are legally married.

Cohabiting couples are not allowed to use this exception.

"It’s horrible, isn’t it? I’ve got to get around to marrying, before I die," Gervais quipped.

Fox News Digital reached out to Gervais' representatives for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Gervais' comments came months after Fallon announced on Instagram that she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer .

She has since undergone two surgeries and has documented her experiences on social media.

RICKY GERVAIS MOCKS GRAMMY WINNERS MAKING POLITICAL SPEECHES, SAYS THEY'RE 'STILL NOT LISTENING' In a comment to Fox News Digital, CATO Institute Director of Tax Policy Studies Adam Michel said Gervais' comments were not surprising and considered them a common worldwide perspective on wealth taxes.