Does anybody know where I can get a paper IHT400 form (inheritance tax) from please?
I can download one and print it off but my local library charges 50p per sheet for a colour copy. That works out at £8.00!
I am presuming you are the Executor of the Estate? You don't need a colour copy. Just get B&W which is what I did when administering my father's Estate. I agree with Phaeton. You are losing sight of the bigger picture. It is a deductible expense from the value of the Estate. Lucky position to be in knowing there is a substantial amount in the Estate. It is 40% on value of Estate over the £325k threshold not the whole lot. You might want to take legal advice as providing the beneficiaries are in agreement then you might be able to make a variation to the Will to reduce IHT, but you need specialist legal advice and it would likely cost a lot more than £8!
The declaration to HMRC is separate to the application for Grant of Probate, although I believe the application for GoP does request if you have made a declaration to HMRC iirc. When making the declaration to HMRC you do have the opportunity to make a further declaration once you are fully aware of the value of certain items of the Estate which you may not yet know. You might have to pay for valuations such as property or valuables such as jewellery.
Are you the sole Executor? In the scheme of things £8 is a pretty small amount if you are to inherit a substantial sum. I spent a fortune on printing and copying documents when I got power of attorney for my Dad, but then shortly after he sadly died and I went through the whole probate process from start to finish as sole Executor, although the Estate is not quite finished as there are some matters outstanding which are dragging on. I have just got a receipts for it all and put it down as an administrative expenses. Tell it as it is, don't try and disguise as that is when you could get into difficulties with HMRC. However a printer will cost you £100 or if you have one but just need new inks this could cost £40 and then a ream of paper £6 for 400 A4 sheets. Just pay the £8 and get the library staff to give you or write you a receipt for the cost. I did this. End of. Move on. Make sure you get enough certified copies of everything i.e. death certificate, grant of probate and the Will. Copy all documents you have to send/give to banks, utilities, pension providers, insurers, DWP, etc. Don't forget to get receipts for postage, etc.
As an Executor you just have to be meticulous and thorough and comply with your duties as Executor of the Estate.
