Time scales for unique Probate code from HMRC

Sooz1966

Just a quick question. Does anyone have recent experience of submitting the IHT 400 forms where there is no IHT to pay....roughly, how long before the unique probate code was sent? Thank you.

DancingBadger

If there is no IHT to pay there is no need to request a unique code.

Sooz1966

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81875416#Comment_81875416

This, i think, is a common error in understanding and led me to wrongly apply for probate, without completing the IHT400 first! In fact, i did need to complete it as I needed to claim unused allowances from my mum who predeceased my dad. The estate exceeded £325,000. It's very confusing but I'm pretty confident I've got it right now..

Anyway, I now have substantial care home fees to pay and it'd help to know if I can do this on a credit card as the code will likely come through pretty quickly.

Snot

From my recent experience, got the Probate code 20 days after posting the IHT forms.

Sooz1966

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81875478#Comment_81875478

Thank you! That's really helpful. I really didn't know whether to expect a few weeks or several.

bunnygo

I knew there was no IHT to pay, but had to fill in the IHT400 and schedules to claim allowances. So I requested a code anyway and put it on all the IHT forms.

timescales from last autumn:

code requested 7 Sept

code received 18 Sept (in that time I had filled out all the forms)

forms sent by post to HMRC 7 Oct

code for probate received from HMRC by email (make sure you ask for that) 28 Oct - I had a note to chase after 20 working days but didn't need to.

probate submitted online and will posted 31 Oct

probate granted 12 November, grants arrived in post 2 days later.

there are a lot of similar stories about so hopefully this speedy service is continuing.

BTW if you use adobe acrobat you CAN save part completed IHT forms, despite what the website says. The calculated boxes within each form will be updated automatically - negative figures will just be blank. You do have to copy across figures from the separate schedules.

if you are claiming allowances, you will probably need to send a copy of the previous will, a power of attorney if it was used, plus add information from marriage and death certificates. Do not send any original documents, ordinary photocopies are fine. Each schedule tells you what documents to include.

Sooz1966

@bunnygo

Thank you, that sounds good. Our positions are almost identical - no tax to pay but needed to complete iht400 plus the extras to get the allowances. Except I made the error of applying for probate first and being told by them I did actually need to report to hmrc, so I'm hoping and praying that'll they'll simply pick up where they left off when I send the code and not sit on it to punish my stupidity!!

All iht tax forms posted yesterday so I'll try to forget about it now for a little while!

Sooz1966

Just to update my opening post - I received the Probate code from HMRC today, the 10th March (in the post..I asked to be notified by email but this hasn't been received). IHT400 form was posted on 9th February. So within 20 working days, allowing for postal delays.

pcgtron

Just a quick note to add to this thread.

If you do have IHT to pay, it's worth a chase if you're using the direct payment scheme and getting another institution to pay HMRC direct from funds.

I received the letter from HMRC after 20 days informing me of the IHT bill (Had already requested it be paid), but then I had to wait for the finanicial provider to pay the bill. After waiting 14 days from the payment of the bill, I chased HMRC for the probate code. The person on the end of the phone couldn't have been more helpful, and once he'd checked that the money had been recieved, emailed me the code there and then whilst I was on the phone. Not sure how long I'd have been waiting had I not chased

Sooz1966

And finally to update…email received yesterday confirming Probate has been granted. Two days after emailing copy of HMRC letter to them!

omarali

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81921357#Comment_81921357

Did you submit the probate application again after receiving the code? Our sol submitted IHT400 on 23rd Feb so hopefully hear later this week re the code for probate. Sol will then submit the probate application so its heartening to hear how quick it can be done. thanks for update