Overview
- HMRC opened 3,636 inheritance tax investigations in the first nine months of the current tax year, nearly 1,000 more than the same period a year earlier.
- Since 2022–23, a total of about 14,027 investigations have been launched into suspected underpaid inheritance tax.
- More than 1,800 cases remain active, with 13 nearing their fourth year, though most inquiries typically conclude within six to twelve months.
- Advisers note HMRC can review records going back up to 20 years and scrutinize bank statements to uncover undisclosed assets when underpayment is suspected.
- Receipts continue to rise, with £7.1bn collected from April to January, up £100m year on year, and official projections indicate more estates will face IHT in coming years, including changes to pension treatment from April 2027.