Does HMRC still give you an Inheritance Tax Reference No. even if there is no tax to pay?

Heliocentric

Hello,

I just received a letter from HMRC in the post responding to me filling out form IHT400. By my calculation, I have no IHT to pay. I filled out IH400 to show the calculation of why I have no tax to pay (the amount goes over the threshold until I apply both the NRB and the RNRB, which takes it under) and also for probate. 

I've been given a unique code for probate but I've just seen at the top of the form, there is also an IHT Reference number. Does this mean they also think I have tax to pay? They don't mention it in the letter at all but why else would they give me an IHT reference number?

Please help. It's very confusing!

Heliocentric

I can now answer my own question, for the benefit of anyone who finds it years down the line, as I called them this morning.

1. Everyone who fills out an IHT400 form (and applies for probate), will get an Inheritance Tax Reference Number. That does not mean you have tax to pay.

2. If your inheritance tax reference begins with an 'A', that means you have no tax to pay.

3. If your inheritance tax reference begins with an 'F', that means you do have tax to pay. I don't know if they put the amount of tax you have to pay on the actual letter they send you or if it just means they agree with whatever amount you put in IHT400.

There.

S_Sloper

This is helpful. Thank you!
I am wondering how long we should expect to wait for the Inheritance Tax reference number to be sent?

Daffylad

S_Sloper said:

This is helpful. Thank you!
I am wondering how long we should expect to wait for the Inheritance Tax reference number to be sent?

I received mine in 10 working days, last Friday 7 February.