GOV UK - Form IHT205(2011) Return of estate information and Form IHT400 Inheritance Tax account.
You need to report the value of a deceased estate to HMRC in order to obtain grant of representation. This is where any inheritance tax liabilities are calculated and due.
If there is a will you would be applying for grant of probate, if there is no will you would be applying for a grant of letters of administration.
Take legal advice if you are unsure in any way. Probate solicitors are able to assist in Inheritance Tax liabilities, along with gaining the grant of representation and administering a deceased estate.
The estimated value of the deceased estate defines how to report to HMRC.
You’ll need to complete either form IHT205 if you do not need to pay inheritance tax or form IHT400 if tax is due.
If your estimated estate value is less than £325,000, you can report your form IHT205 online to HMRC here:
A paper version is available here:
There is an alert on the download re-asserting the need to fill out form IHT400 if the estate is not an excepted estate.
If the gross value of the estate for Inheritance Tax purposes:
a. exceeds £1 million or
b. exceeds the nil rate band but is below £1 million and no charity or spouse or civil partnership exemptions or transfer of unused nil rate band apply
then the estate is not an excepted estate.
Form IHT205 (2011) Return of estate information is an 8 page pdf with the following headings:
- When to use this form
- Notes
- Help
- Your rights and obligations
- About the person who has died
- About the estate
- About the estate (continued)
- Deceased assets at the date of death
- Deceased assets at the date of death (continued)
- Deceased assets at the date of death (continued)
- Deceased assets at the date of death (continued)
- Deceased assets at the date of death (continued)
- declaration
Notes to help you fill in form IHT205 (2011) can be downloaded here:
If the estimated value of the deceased estate is between £325,000 and £1,000,000, you may need to submit form IHT400:
Form IHT400 Inheritance tax account is a 16 page PDF that loads with the following alert:
If you've already got a 15 digit reference number from the online service do not use this on the form IHT400. If there's any Inheritance Tax to pay, you should obtain the correct reference number by applying online at www.gov.uk/paying-inheritance-tax. You don't need to apply for a reference number if there's no Inheritance Tax to pay.
Each page has boxes to complete. Page 1 has notes relating to the following:
- When to use this form
- The Inheritance Tax account
- Inheritance Tax reference number
- Filling in this form
- If you need help
Form IHT400 Inheritance Tax account has the following headings:
- About the deceased
- If the deceased was domiciled in Scotland at the date of death
- Deceased's details
- Contact details of the person dealing with the estate
- Deceased's will
- Items referred to in the will but not included in the estate
- What makes up your Inheritance Tax account - schedules
- What makes up your Inheritance Tax account - schedules (continued)
- Estate in the UK
- Estate in the UK (continued)
- Deductions from the estate in the UK incurred up to the date of death
- Deductions from the estate in the UK (continued)
- Exemptions and reliefs
- Exemptions and reliefs (continued)
- Other assets taken into account to calculate the tax
- Working out the Inheritance Tax
- simple Inheritance Tax calculation
- Direct payment scheme
- Declaration
- Declaration (continued)
- Checklist
- Return addresses and contact details
- Additional information
Form IHT400 can be downloaded here:
Guide to completing your inheritance tax account:
Inheritance tax account IHT400 calculation:
Inheritance Tax nil rate bands, limits and rates (IHT400 rates and tables):
Working out the interest on Inheritance Tax payments (IHT400 Helpsheet):
Accessible formats are also available.
If the estimated value is greater than £1,000,000 you will need to fill out form IHT400.
Deadline for form IHT400
You must send this form to HMRC within 12 months of the date of death. Interest will be payable after 6 months
HMRC publish a charter regarding service and standards between you and them here: