Inheritance tax compliance
Managing inheritance tax risk
Grief should never be compounded by uncertainty over tax. Imperium’s inheritance-tax compliance service provides executors, trustees, and families with clear, timely guidance from the moment a death occurs through to final HMRC clearance. We collate asset valuations – property, portfolios, private companies – working with qualified valuers where required. Lifetime gifts are traced, taper reliefs calculated, and any additional tax on chargeable events identified. Using this data we complete IHT 400 or IHT 100 forms, draft ES1 summaries for beneficiaries, and prepare correspondence that answers HMRC’s likely questions upfront, reducing enquiries and delays.
Beyond the initial filing we track instalment schedules, advising on sale proceeds versus interest costs, and monitor agricultural and business-property relief conditions. For ongoing relevant-property trusts we calculate ten-year and exit charges, ensuring liquidity is set aside before liabilities crystallise. Families planning ahead benefit from simulations that compare outright gifts, trust settlements, and Family Investment Companies, with clear numbers rather than vague concepts. Whatever stage you are at – probate, trust anniversary, or pre-emptive planning – Imperium turns complex IHT rules into an actionable timetable, preserving both assets and family harmony.
Imperium: assurance when it matters
We coordinate valuations, reconstruct gift histories and complete IHT returns with schedules that pre-empt HMRC questions. Instalment plans, relief claims and ten-year trust charges are managed transparently, while our team keeps beneficiaries informed without jargon. From probate to clearance, Imperium’s compassionate precision protects both family harmony and estate value.
Typical client scenarios
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Executors administering estates with mixed property, business and investment assets.
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Trustees facing ten-year charges on discretionary trusts.
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Families claiming agricultural or business-property relief while refinancing assets.
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Frequently asked questions
When is IHT due?
Payment is generally due six months after the end of the month of death. Late interest accrues thereafter. We calculate liabilities early to avoid surprise.
Can I pay IHT in instalments?
Yes, for certain assets such as property or shares in a business. We arrange HMRC agreements and monitor instalment schedules.
What values do HMRC accept?
Estate assets must be reported at open-market value. We source professional valuations and compile supporting evidence to withstand scrutiny.
How does the residence nil-rate band work?
An additional allowance applies when a residence passes to direct descendants. We assess eligibility and ensure correct allocation between spouses.
Do lifetime gifts affect the bill?
Gifts in the seven years before death may attract taper relief but still use up nil-rate band. We track gifts and apply relief appropriately.
What triggers a ten-year charge?
Relevant property trusts face a charge every decade. We compute the value, apply available nil-rate band, complete IHT 100, and arrange payment.
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