IHT400 & HMRC Response Times

jmr95

I'm having a big issue with the IHT process. I posted the forms first week of August via Tracked Delivery, it did not show delivered and a few weeks later HMRC still said they had not received it. So, I sent it again via Special Delivery as they suggested to do so - and have the same problem again. It's not shown as delivered, and HMRC say they don't have it.

Both show going as far as the North West Midlands MC

Royal Mail are not interested, even via Special Delivery...

HMRC tell me 'it might turn up, perhaps call us again in a few weeks'

How is this acceptable? 

Has anyone done this recently and had HMRC acknowledge receipt and get your probate code? How long did it take?

I would appreciate any advice on what to do here, I don't see how mailing a third time would help, and I am completely prevented from getting on with my life while I wait for people who couldn't care less to do their job as part of an outrageously antiquated and not fit for purpose system.

Is there any path for raising a complaint/investigation? I don't believe for a second that two separate letters were lost in the post to the same address.

Thanks

probate_slave

My own most recent IHT400 submission showed the tracking below (but I note that SoozyJ22 said her tracking stopped at NW Midlands MC). HMRC don't acknowledge receipt so I waited a month to chase it and the reference number couldn't be found on their system. But then: "Oh, I think I see what's happened. It was put in the wrong queue. That will be another...umm... 10 working days."

I think your current delay of around 27 (?) working days from first submission is still close to expectation and you should hang on a few more weeks before resending a third time. You mentioned that HMRC told you that without an IHT ref number they wouldn't even know if your IHT400 had been received.

Sorry I have no experience of complaints or investigations. It may be no consolation that a new digital service is planned from 2027/28, the previous online trial having failed due to complexities around gifts.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-transformation-roadmap/annex-b-hmrcs-digital-improvements-for-customer-experience#inheritance-tax

jmr95

Thanks for that

I finally received the letter from HMRC this morning...dated almost 2 weeks ago. Tracking still never showed as delivered. 

Hopefully anyone else finding themselves in this situation will be reassured by this thread, but honestly I think it's shocking to leave people in the lurch like that for so long.

Anyway, now I can move on to the next government department that will take even longer, but at least it's progress.