11 guides
Inheritance Tax
The allowances, the reporting route your estate falls into, and how tax gets paid before the grant is issued.
6 min read
Excepted estates: when you don't need a full IHT account
The excepted estate rules for England & Wales: the three categories, the value limits, and what you report on the probate application instead of an IHT400.
Read the guide4 min read
IHT205 or IHT400? What replaced the short form
Why the IHT205 no longer exists for most deaths, what replaced it, and how to decide between reporting an excepted estate and filing a full IHT400.
Read the guide5 min read
Claiming a late spouse's unused nil-rate band
How to transfer an unused nil-rate band from a spouse or civil partner who died earlier, the evidence HMRC wants, and the form to use.
Read the guide6 min read
The residence nil-rate band, including downsizing
Who qualifies for the residence nil-rate band, the taper, and how the downsizing addition works when the home was sold or swapped before death.
Read the guide6 min read
Gifts in the 7 years before death
Which lifetime gifts must be reported for Inheritance Tax, the exemptions that apply, how taper relief really works, and gifts with reservation of benefit.
Read the guide5 min read
Paying Inheritance Tax before you have the grant
How to pay Inheritance Tax when the estate's money is locked until probate: the direct payment scheme, instalments, loans and the deadline for interest.
Read the guide4 min read
The direct payment scheme: paying IHT from frozen accounts
How the Inheritance Tax direct payment scheme works, which institutions take part, how to complete IHT423 and how long the payment takes.
Read the guide5 min read
Paying Inheritance Tax in instalments
Which assets qualify for the ten-year instalment option, how to elect for it, how interest is charged and what happens when the asset is sold.
Read the guide5 min read
Income tax during the administration period
The two income tax jobs after a death: settling the deceased's own position to the date of death, and reporting income the estate earns afterwards.
Read the guide5 min read
Capital Gains Tax during the administration of an estate
When an estate pays Capital Gains Tax, the estate's annual exempt amount, appropriating assets to beneficiaries, and the 60-day property reporting rule.
Read the guide7 min read
Inheritance Tax explained: the nil-rate bands
How the Inheritance Tax nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band and transferable allowances work, with the thresholds and the seven-year gift rule.
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