The estate is excepted only if conditions are met
You need to confirm whether full inheritance-tax reporting is required and retain the underlying calculation.
Estate planning · Probate tax
Give executors a reliable tax record from date-of-death values to final distributions.
We prepare or support inheritance-tax reporting, reconcile the deceased’s final tax affairs and manage estate income and gains, helping personal representatives understand both liabilities and the evidence behind them.
- FCCA & CTA expertise
- Experience at BDO & KPMG
- Responses in hours, not days
- Fees agreed upfront
Expert perspective
Three tax periods can overlap after a death.
Executors may need to address the deceased’s final lifetime tax return, inheritance tax at death and the estate’s own income and capital gains during administration. Each uses different dates, rules and responsible taxpayers.
The starting point is a complete estate schedule with defensible valuations, ownership, debt and lifetime-gift evidence. Relief claims for business, agricultural, charitable or spouse transfers must be supported, not merely selected on a form.
As assets are sold or income arises, we compare proceeds with probate values and track estate expenses and distributions. Corrective inheritance-tax accounts, loss claims and beneficiary certificates are considered before the estate is finalised.
When this matters
Recognise when the position needs more than a form
Early review creates time to find evidence, correct assumptions and make choices before a deadline fixes the result.
Business or property values are material
Professional valuations, relief conditions and later sale prices may affect tax and corrective reporting.
The deceased’s returns are incomplete
Income, gains and payments up to death need separating from estate receipts after death.
Administration is taking time
Interest, dividends, rent, property sales and interim distributions create estate-level reporting and beneficiary information.
The technical review
The areas we bring into one review
A defensible answer is based on the full factual pattern and is reported consistently across every relevant return.
Estate schedule
Legal and beneficial ownership, jointly held assets, debts, lifetime gifts, trusts and nominations reconciled.
Valuations
Open-market values at death supported by appropriate professional evidence and consistent across tax and probate documents.
Inheritance-tax account
Available bands, exemptions, spouse or charity transfers, relief claims, instalments and supporting schedules.
Lifetime tax
Income and disposals to date of death, coding, outstanding returns, repayments and liabilities.
Administration income and gains
Estate bank, investments, rent, asset sales, allowable expenses and the choice of formal or informal reporting route.
Corrections and beneficiaries
Loss relief, corrective accounts, clearances, R185 certificates and tax data needed for final distributions.
What changes the answer
A probate value can affect more than the inheritance-tax account.
It may become the estate or beneficiary’s CGT base cost, making consistency and evidence important when an asset is later sold.
- 01Which assets and liabilities belong to the estate, including gifts, trusts and jointly owned interests?
- 02What valuation evidence is proportionate and how will a materially different sale price be addressed?
- 03Which reliefs and exemptions apply at death, and are all factual conditions documented?
- 04Should income, gains and distributions be reported by the estate, beneficiary or deceased, and on which return?
How UA Tax works
Technical work, explained in a usable sequence
You will understand what the evidence shows, what is uncertain and what happens next.
Clarify the facts
We establish the people, assets, income, dates and documents that determine the technical position.
Reconcile the evidence
Returns, statements, legal records and prior advice are checked for gaps or inconsistent assumptions.
Explain the options
You receive a practical comparison of the tax outcomes, risks, deadlines and decisions that remain yours.
Complete the agreed work
We prepare the returns, claims, disclosure or implementation plan within a defined scope and fee.
Questions worth asking
Frequently asked questions
Do all estates need a full inheritance-tax return?
No. Some estates qualify as excepted estates, but the conditions and underlying calculation still need to be checked and records retained. Probate applications may require relevant values even without a full account.
Who should value property and business interests?
Material or complex assets usually warrant a suitably qualified independent valuer. The valuation basis should meet inheritance-tax requirements and be supported by evidence available at the date of death.
What is the difference between the final tax return and estate tax?
The final return covers the deceased’s income and gains up to death. Income and gains arising after death generally belong to the estate during administration and follow separate rules.
Can an estate claim a loss if property sells below probate value?
Specific inheritance-tax loss relief may be available for qualifying sales within conditions and time limits. The effect on CGT and other estate assets should be calculated before a claim.
When can assets be distributed to beneficiaries?
That is a legal and executor decision, but tax, creditor and liquidity positions should be understood first. Interim distributions need accurate records and may require beneficiary tax certificates.
Can you work directly with the probate solicitor?
Yes. We can divide responsibilities clearly, provide tax figures and schedules and coordinate corrections, returns and beneficiary information with the legal administration.
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Related advice
Get a clear view before the deadline drives the decision.
Arrange an initial call to outline the issue, or book a focused tax consultation when you need advice on a defined question.