Can we claim expenses against IHT

hygge123

My family are in the final stages of winding up our father's estate. The house has been sold, and stocks and shares cashed in. We were wondering if we can claim expenses against Inheritance tax, or just against the estate? We have spent just over a year travelling 200 miles round trip to clear the house, and there have been ongoing expenses such as utility bills, clearance people, phone bills and loss of personal income towards the end as we all had to cancel work to do the final clearout before we competed on the house. Our solicitor has been very unclear on the whole business, and each time we query anything by email , we are charged.

Owain_Moneysaver

"any costs incurred after the date of death are administration expenses and therefore not deductible" [against IHT]
Inheritance Tax Manual - deals with valuation of household goods, but the principle is the same.

Note that most funeral expenses are allowable against IHT, but not mourners' expenses like travel or accommodation.

You can claim executor's out-of-pocket expenses against the estate, but as non-professional executor no fees or other compensation for loss of income.

Brynsam

hygge123 wrote: »

Our solicitor has been very unclear on the whole business, and each time we query anything by email , we are charged.

The last thing you need is an uhelpful or incompetent solicitor when you've recently been bereaved. You are asking a very simple question (or it should be to a lawyer) and there is no excuse for not answering clearly and accurately.

If you have the stomach for a complaint, I suggest you complain - clearly and firmly - and dispute the fees you are being charged.