Inheritance Tax Support for UK Estates & Gifts
Inheritance tax support for UK estates and lifetime gifts may be needed when tax arises on transfers. Sterling Crest Accountants prepares calculations and HMRC returns from information supplied. We do not provide probate administration, will drafting or trust deed drafting.
Sterling Crest Accountants provides this service remotely to clients across the United Kingdom as an online UK accountant. Consultations are by phone or video call. The Leeds address is the registered office and is not a walk-in office.
About inheritance tax
Estate work starts with asset and liability lists at date of death, including property, investments, business interests and gifts within prior seven years where relevant. We compute tax using nil rate bands and residence nil rate band when facts support claims.
Lifetime chargeable transfers and potentially exempt transfers need careful dating and values. We prepare calculations for reporting deadlines when engaged with adequate evidence.
Reliefs such as business property relief and agricultural property relief depend on asset use and ownership tests. We apply them when documentation supports eligibility but do not guarantee HMRC acceptance.
IHT400 and related schedules are completed when required. Executors remain responsible for estate administration; our role is tax reporting support only unless wider services are explicitly agreed.
Who this service is for
- Executors needing IHT return preparation support
- Families reviewing tax on death liabilities
- Individuals making large lifetime gifts needing calculations
- Business owners exploring BPR on succession facts
- Estates with property and investment portfolios
- Clients coordinating with solicitors who handle legal probate
Common challenges
- Undervalued property or unlisted share holdings
- Missing gift records within seven years
- NRB and RNRB not modelled on family home
- Relief claimed without evidence of trading activity
- Deadline pressure while probate still ongoing legally
- Confusion between legal probate and tax reporting roles
What is included
- Asset and liability schedule review for IHT
- Nil rate band and residence nil rate band modelling
- Gift history timeline within seven year window
- IHT400 and supplementary pages when required
- Business property relief and agricultural relief calculations where evidenced
- Interest and penalty date note from HMRC rules
- Draft return for executor approval
- Routine HMRC correspondence on the return in scope
- Plain English summary of tax due and payment timing
- Coordination notes for solicitors when you authorise contact
How the service works
- 1.Confirm whether work is lifetime or estate based
- 2.Collect valuations and gift histories
- 3.Draft computation and identify missing evidence
- 4.Review with executors or donors
- 5.File after written approval from authorised persons
- 6.Provide payment instruction summary to executors
Documents normally required
- Death certificate and will copy for estates
- Property valuations or agent appraisals
- Bank and investment statements at date of death
- Gift deeds and bank transfer evidence
- Business accounts for BPR claims
- Agricultural land schedules for APR claims
- Prior IHT returns if additional events occurred
UK compliance information
- We do not obtain probate grants or administer estates legally.
- Will drafting and trust deed drafting are excluded services.
- Legal disputes between beneficiaries are not handled by us.
- Valuations may need professional valuers for HMRC challenge risk.
Key deadlines
IHT on estates is generally due within six months of the end of the month of death for many assets, with filing linked to probate timing. Confirm current rules on GOV.UK.
Confirm official dates and rules on GOV.UK. Rules and thresholds can change.
What this work helps you maintain
- Tax computations separate from legal probate roles
- Documented gift and band usage schedules
- Relief claims tied to evidence you provide
- Clear statement of what we do not provide legally
- Remote IHT reporting support UK wide
Related services
- Capital Gains TaxCapital gains calculations for property and other chargeable assets, including UK residential property reporting.
- Tax PlanningLegitimate UK tax planning using allowances, reliefs and elections based on information you provide.
- Self AssessmentPersonal self assessment for employment, self employment, property, dividends, interest, pensions and disclosed capital gains.
Frequently asked questions
No. We prepare inheritance tax calculations and returns. Legal probate is handled by solicitors or executors.
No. Will and trust deed drafting is excluded. We can work from documents your solicitor prepares.
Executors or authorised personal representatives must approve before we file.
We apply rules to your facts. HMRC may challenge property or ownership conditions.
We use valuations you provide. Formal valuations may need a RICS surveyor for contentious estates.
Discuss inheritance tax with Sterling Crest
Book a free consultation or send an enquiry. Scope and fees are confirmed in writing before any engagement begins.
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