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Inheritance Tax Forms - What To Do When Someone Dies

When someone dies there are various forms that need to be completed for inheritance tax purposes, even if there is no inheritance due on the estate. However, the forms are different depending on whether or not IHT is due.

When is IHT payable?

Inheritance tax is payable on someone's estate if it exceeds the inheritance tax threshold. The threshold is currently £325,000. This can be doubled to £650,000 where the deceased's spouse or civil partner did not use their nil rate band on their death.

There is no tax to pay if everything is left to the deceased's spouse, civil partner or to a charity. There are also other exemptions which may reduce the tax due.

Valuing the estate

Before you can decide which form you need to complete, the executor must value the estate. Broadly this involves valuing the assets as at the date of death and deducting the debts and liabilities. Guidance on valuing a person's estate for inheritance tax purposes can be found on the GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/valuing-estate-of-someone-who-died/overview.

The forms

The inheritance forms should be sent when applying for a grant of representation (see www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/applying-for-a-grant-of-representation for further details).

The form that you should use depends on whether there is any inheritance tax to pay.

If there is no inheritance tax to pay, you only need to complete the short form, form IHT205. You will need to provide information about the person who died and also some information about the deceased's estate, including details of any gifts that they made in the seven years prior to their death.

Form IHT205 and the accompanying notes are available to download from the GOV.UK website.

If the deceased lived abroad and there is no IHT to pay, form IHT207 should be used instead of form IHT205. This can be downloaded from the GOV.UK website.

If the deceased's spouse or civil partner did not use their nil rate band when they died, it is necessary to claim the unused portion for use against the deceased's estate. This is done by completing form IHT217, if 100% of the nil rate band is available. Where relevant, this should be sent with form IHT205.

Or form IHT402 if only a proportion of the nil rate band is available or there is tax payable.

If there is inheritance tax to pay, it is necessary to complete the larger IHT400 form. Unlike the short forms, this form must be sent to HMRC within one year of the end of the month in which the person died. So, for example, if a person died on 10 April 2015, the form must be submitted by 30 April 2016. A penalty may be charged if the form is submitted late.

Form IHT400 is the inheritance tax account and comprises a form and separate schedules, some or all of which may need to be completed. Prior to completing the form, it is necessary to apply for an IHT reference number and payslip. This can either be done online or by completing form IHT422.

When completing form IHT400, you will need to provide details of the deceased, their will, the estate and what makes up the inheritance tax account. The form and guidance notes on its completion are available on the GOV.UK website.

Penalties may be charged if the information provided is inaccurate.

For expert advice on probate issues, contact us today.

Although correct at the time of publication, the contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article. Please contact us for the latest legal position.