HMRC investigates one in four inheritance tax payers

The number of inheritance tax (IHT) investigations has grown by 7.8% since April 2017.

A quarter of all estates that are paying inheritance tax are being investigated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). 

Over 5,000 inheritance tax (IHT) investigations are opened by HMRC each year, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from wealth management firm Quilter.

There were around 22,000 estates liable for IHT in the 2018/19 tax year according to HMRC figures. This means around 25% of estates were investigated.

Source: HMRC, May 2019

Gordon Andrews, tax and financial planning expert at Quilter, says: "More often than not people aren't deliberately trying to defraud HMRC and given the current complexity of the IHT system it's really no surprise if things go awry.

"For instance, under the current rules, if a pension transfer is made while someone is in ill-health then there is a risk that HMRC will challenge the IHT-free status of the death benefits if the person passes away within two years of the transfer.

"This is absurd at the best and perverse at worst as it is essentially penalising people for appropriate tax planning."

A recent Office of Tax Simplification report highlighted that some solicitors choose not to advise clients on the allowance due to its complexity.

The number of IHT investigations has grown by 7.8% to 5,537, since the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) was introduced in April 2017.

Mr Andrews adds: "All the complications surrounding inheritance tax means getting financial advice is crucial to mitigate the chances of an investigation. It’s also vital to choose the right executor because the onus is on them if there is an investigation.

"Equally, if you are asked to be an executor of the will you need to understand the responsibilities that come with it. This is not just another piece of admin, it can be an involved and time-consuming process."

Inheritance Tax: what you need to know

IHT is a tax on the estate - property, money and possessions - that is paid when someone dies.

It is payable when the assets of an estate total in excess of £325,000. Any assets above this amount are liable to a tax of 40%.

However, married couples can combine their IHT thresholds, meaning that up to the first £650,000 of their combined estate is IHT-free, as any unused nil-rate band can normally be passed on to the surviving spouse.

There is also an additional threshold called the Residence Nil Rate Band, which is increasing year-on-year. You can use the HMRC calculator to find out how much the additional threshold on your estate might be.

You must pay Inheritance Tax by the end of the sixth month after the person dies.

Widely loathed by the middle-classes, there have been frequent calls for the tax to be overhauled in recent years.

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