Can you amend probate forms later on?

rolysatch

Hi, I'm just starting to apply for probate and although a fairly straightforward estate (mum leaving house and money to 3 kids) the initial IHT400 form now requires an additional 6 forms! It all seems relatively straightforward, just over 700k estate and with nil rate band, inherited nil rate band and residence nil rate band (total 825k) there will be no IHT to pay.

My question is, if I make an error somewhere in the form filling and HMRC claims IHT from me, can I go back and correct whatever error I have made in the form filling?

Also i've downloaded all the forms and have started filling them out, but can these be submitted electronically or do you have to post them?

any advice appreciated, thanks in advance

Newly_retired

Have you checked whether it is an excepted estate? 

You can do a pre-Probate check which may indicate that there is no IHT to pay and you may be able to avoid IHT forms altogether.
I did mine online.
Your situation may be different, however. 

rolysatch

Newly_retired said:

Have you checked whether it is an excepted estate? 

You can do a pre-Probate check which may indicate that there is no IHT to pay and you may be able to avoid IHT forms altogether.
I did mine online.
Your situation may be different, however. 

Hi, I think I checked that a few weeks ago, I think because I am claiming for inherited nil rate band and residence nil rate band I have to fill out the full forms - although I would be more than happy if it was an excepted estate?

edit: yes, just rechecked, and it says it's excepted up to 650k and the total is around 700k, so unfortunately there's no avoiding all the different forms.

Keep_pedalling

EvNewly_retired said:

Have you checked whether it is an excepted estate? 

You can do a pre-Probate check which may indicate that there is no IHT to pay and you may be able to avoid IHT forms altogether.
I did mine online.
Your situation may be different, however. 

Estates where either one or RNRBs are claimed are not exempt so a full IHT return needs to be made. 

Savvy_Sue

You can submit the forms online, save and check, save and return. You may find that most of the forms only require one question to be answered (that was certainly my experience a few years ago. 

Also remember that you can take your time: fill them in, think about it, get a sensible friend or relative to check your workings etc. You can even ask a professional (solicitor or accountant with expertise in this area) to check them if you are really concerned: DON'T pay them to actually submit, just to check them over. But honestly, for a simple estate as yours sounds it isn't too hard, just work methodically through them. 

rolysatch

Savvy_Sue said:

You can submit the forms online, save and check, save and return. You may find that most of the forms only require one question to be answered (that was certainly my experience a few years ago. 

Also remember that you can take your time: fill them in, think about it, get a sensible friend or relative to check your workings etc. You can even ask a professional (solicitor or accountant with expertise in this area) to check them if you are really concerned: DON'T pay them to actually submit, just to check them over. But honestly, for a simple estate as yours sounds it isn't too hard, just work methodically through them. 

Thanks, Sue, yes I don't envisage any issues, just being overly cautious. I'm self-employed and do my own accounts and self assessment and it seems on a par with that, pretty much.