Residence nil rate band - do I need to do more than the online probate form?

cheapasfrites

Hi, would be grateful for some clarification. My mum, my last surviving parent, died recently, leaving me as sole beneficiary of her house and other assets worth about £350K.
I think I'm correct in understanding that no IHT will be due because I have a total allowance of £325000 x 2 (my late father, her husband, passed everything to her on his death) plus the £175,000 Residence Nil Rate Band. 
I've completed the online probate form. My question is, do we still need to complete the claim for the RNRB IHT435 and a form to confirm the transfer of my father's NRB? 
Our solicitor said no, the new probate online form picks this up - but I would appreciate a confirmation.

poppystar

You would if you need it but if you have £650k allowance with the 2xNRB, is the total estate above that figure? There is nothing needed to transfer your father’s NRB but if the estate is greater than the £650k you will need to do a full IHT return which will include the residential NRB forms.

cheapasfrites

Hi poppystar, thanks for the info. The total estate is only about £400k. So are we saying that all I have to do to transfer my father's NRB is to complete the online probate form? It would be amazing if for once the HMRC didn't make things complicated!

poppystar

Yes, as long as the total estate (property and money/other assets) is below the £650k then it is an ‘excepted estate’ and you will only need to complete the probate forms. And, yes, it’s a definite improvement from HMRC over the older system🙂

cheapasfrites

Thank you, poppy star. Full credit to you because you've managed to explain with significantly greater clarity than HMRC

poppystar

cheapasfrites said:

Thank you, poppy star. Full credit to you because you've managed to explain with significantly greater clarity than HMRC

Thank you but I’m not sure that being clearer than HMRC is much of an achievement🤣