Time to grant with IHT to pay

Dr_Crypto

Following on from the helpful advice I received on here last month we have submitted the inheritance tax account and schedules for my late father's estate to the Nottingham HMRC office. We have sent IHT423 to one of his banks for direct payment of the tax and applied for a grant of probate. We also sent them a surveyor valuation for the house and valuations for a couple of specific items of jewellery.

There was a lot of paperwork especially as he owed some money to one of his friends and of course we needed to provide evidence of that. The beneficiaries (myself and my brother) fully accept that this debt exists so hopefully the revenue will too.

How long should we expect to wait for the grant? I've read on here that at one time Nottingham HMRC had a 7 month backlog but other people say that's cleared now. Some seem to advise submitting an IHT30 request for clearance certificate. Of course we understand it'll take HMRC some time to process the account but how long should we give them?

Yorkshireman99

Nobody knows least of all HMR&C! The popular theory is the more you complain, particularly via your MP the quicker they are.

Tigerlilykiss16

Hi

We've been waiting for the Certificate of Clearance since June 2016. Having been told by our solicitor hmrc had a seven month backlog, we were then told by hmrc that whilst they did have a backlog it was never as long as 7 months. In January we were told they were on a 4 week turnaround. A week ago, hmrc told us our case was still in a queue and it could be another 3-4 months yet!

We have referred this to our MP and the response from HMRC was due last Thursday. Needless to say we've heard nothing yet.

We may just be very unlucky but I would prepare yourself for a long wait. I will endeavour to feedback when I get answers.

Dr_Crypto

Thank you. It does seem a bit of a farce. I understand the need to check accounts but there should be some consideration for families wanting to move on.

Tigerlilykiss16

Hi

We have now had a response via our MP. The response from HMRC is from Mike Howe who works in Business Tax Operations in Salford. Think he may have drawn the short straw as he neither deals with IHT nor is he in Nottingham.

Anyway he has hisses behind the data protection umbrella but has confirmed the IHT400 is currently on an 11 week turnaround. He swerved the issue of the IHT300. We have now been waiting over 8 months for the certificate of completion.

Needless to say we are't going to let the matter rest. If I hear anymore, I'll let you know.

Best Wishes. A

Yorkshireman99

Tigerlilykiss16 wrote: »

Hi

We have now had a response via our MP. The response from HMRC is from Mike Howe who works in Business Tax Operations in Salford. Think he may have drawn the short straw as he neither deals with IHT nor is he in Nottingham.

Anyway he has hisses behind the data protection umbrella but has confirmed the IHT400 is currently on an 11 week turnaround. He swerved the issue of the IHT300. We have now been waiting over 8 months for the certificate of completion.

Needless to say we are't going to let the matter rest. If I hear anymore, I'll let you know.

Best Wishes. A

He is stating BS re the DPA! You have effectively given your MP authority to deal with the case. Give them hell.

Dr_Crypto

11 weeks doesn't seem that unreasonable, although on the long side,if it really is that. I can imagine that these are complex accounts and not all tax inspectors will be IHT trained.
We have been sent the oath yesterday so will get that in. I assume HMRC won't send the IHT421 to the Registry until they've cleared the account?
These timescales really should be published and updated regularly.