What Forms Do I Need to Complete for HMRC When Someone Dies

This guide explains the forms you may need to complete for HMRC when someone dies including IHT205, IHT400, IHT421, R27, Self Assessment, and estate tax returns.

Dealing with HMRC when someone dies can feel overwhelming especially when you are trying to manage grief, organise the funeral, and understand what the estate includes. One of the most common questions executors ask is which forms need to be completed for HMRC. The answer depends on the size of the estate, whether Inheritance Tax is due, whether the person had income in the year they died, whether they paid tax through PAYE or Self Assessment, and whether HMRC requires a final tax return.

In my opinion the easiest way to approach this is to separate HMRC forms into two categories. First, the forms that relate to Inheritance Tax and probate. Second, the forms that relate to the individual’s final Income Tax position. Once you understand the two groups the process becomes far less stressful.

This guide explains exactly which HMRC forms you may need to complete when someone dies, when each form applies, who is responsible for completing them, and what steps executors should follow to stay compliant.

Section 1: HMRC Forms for Inheritance Tax and Probate

The first set of forms deal with the value of the estate and whether Inheritance Tax is due.

HMRC requires one of two main form routes:

1. If the estate is classed as excepted

(Meaning it is below thresholds and simple)

You normally complete:

  • IHT205 or

  • IHT207 (for certain non UK domiciled estates)

These are used in estates where:

  • The estate value is below the Inheritance Tax threshold

  • There are no complex gifts

  • There is no trust involvement

  • No Inheritance Tax is due

These forms are submitted when applying for probate but do not go to HMRC for detailed review.

2. If the estate is not excepted

(Meaning it is large or complex)

You must complete the full Inheritance Tax return consisting of:

  • IHT400 – the main Inheritance Tax return

  • IHT421 – the probate summary sent to the Probate Registry

and several accompanying schedules depending on the contents of the estate.

These documents are sent to HMRC and must be approved before probate can be issued.

When You Need the IHT205 Form

This form is used in England and Wales for simple estates where:

  • The total estate is below the Inheritance Tax threshold

  • No Inheritance Tax is due

  • The deceased was domiciled in the UK

  • There are no trust complications

  • No significant gifts were made in the past seven years

This applies to many ordinary estates especially when spouses benefit from the spouse exemption or transferred nil rate bands.

You do not use IHT205 if:

  • The estate exceeds IHT thresholds

  • There are trusts

  • There are gifts that exceed exemptions

  • The deceased was not UK domiciled

In those situations the IHT400 is needed.

When You Need the IHT207 Form

This form is used when the deceased was not UK domiciled and the estate contains only UK based assets worth less than the Inheritance Tax threshold.

It replaces the IHT205 for non domiciled individuals.

The Full Inheritance Tax Return: When You Need the IHT400

The IHT400 is required when:

  • The estate exceeds £325,000

  • The estate includes a home potentially qualifying for residence nil rate band

  • There are lifetime gifts in the last seven years

  • There are gifts with reservation

  • There are trusts connected to the estate

  • There is foreign property

  • The estate is large or complex

  • Inheritance Tax may be due

The IHT400 is not a single form. It includes a main return plus schedules such as:

  • IHT402: claiming transferred nil rate band

  • IHT435: claiming residence nil rate band

  • IHT436: downsizing rules

  • IHT403: lifetime gifts schedule

  • IHT404: jointly owned assets

  • IHT405: houses and land

  • IHT406: bank accounts

  • IHT409: pensions

  • IHT410: life insurance

  • IHT411: business interests

  • IHT412: foreign assets

  • IHT417: debts and liabilities

Not every estate needs every schedule. You only include those relevant to the estate.

In my opinion this is the most time consuming part of dealing with HMRC but it ensures the estate is valued accurately and fairly.

The IHT421 – Probate Summary

If you complete the IHT400 you must also complete IHT421, which HMRC sends to the Probate Registry to confirm:

  • Whether Inheritance Tax is payable

  • Whether HMRC has agreed the values

  • Whether probate can be issued

Probate cannot be granted until HMRC processes the IHT400 and issues clearance via the IHT421.

Paying Inheritance Tax Before Filing Forms

If Inheritance Tax is due on property you may need to pay the first instalment before submitting the IHT400. Payment can be made from:

  • The deceased’s bank accounts

  • Life insurance policies written in trust

  • A loan

  • The executor personally if necessary

This is one of the more challenging parts of the process so it helps to gather account details early.

Section 2: HMRC Forms for Income Tax After Someone Dies

HMRC must also check the person’s Income Tax position up to the date of death.

This may require:

  • Final PAYE adjustments

  • A Self Assessment return

  • Repayment or collection of tax

  • Reporting of income paid after death

Below are the forms and processes involved.

1. The Tell HMRC Someone Has Died Service

This is not a paper form. It is an online reporting process.

You use it to:

  • Notify HMRC of the date of death

  • Tell HMRC about the executor

  • Stop the tax code

  • Cancel state pension

  • Cancel tax credits

This is usually the first step.

2. The Final Personal Tax Return (Self Assessment)

If the deceased was in Self Assessment or HMRC asks for a return, you must file:

  • A final Self Assessment return covering 6 April to the date of death

This is known as a “part year return”.

You may need to file this if the deceased:

  • Was self employed

  • Was a company director

  • Had rental income

  • Had investment income

  • Had capital gains

  • Had complex finances

The executor signs the return on behalf of the deceased.

3. The R27 Form (for PAYE estates)

If the deceased was not in Self Assessment and their income was taxed under PAYE, HMRC may require the executor to complete an R27 Bereavement form.

This form deals with:

  • Whether the deceased paid too much tax

  • Whether the deceased was owed a refund

  • Whether tax is owed for the final part of the year

The form asks about:

  • Employment status

  • Pensions

  • Savings interest

  • Benefits

  • Any money owed to HMRC

An R27 can result in a refund which must be added to the estate.

In my opinion this form is simpler than a Self Assessment but just as important.

4. The Estate Tax Return (Income Tax for the Estate)

After death the estate itself may earn income. Examples include:

  • Bank interest

  • Dividends

  • Rental income from the property

  • Investment income

  • Business income

If the estate earns more than £10,000 before distribution HMRC may require:

  • A Trust and Estate Tax Return (SA900)
    for the administration period.

You may also need:

  • Form R185 (Estate Income) to give beneficiaries a summary of the income they received.

Most small estates do not reach the £10,000 threshold.

5. Capital Gains Tax Returns for the Estate

If the executor sells assets such as:

  • Shares

  • Property that is not the main residence

  • Investments

  • Land

the estate may have Capital Gains Tax to pay.

Executors may need to file:

  • A CGT return within 60 days (for residential property disposals)

  • A Self Assessment SA900 including CGT pages for other gains

The estate has its own annual CGT allowance which is lower than an individual’s allowance.

Who Is Responsible for Completing These Forms

The responsibility lies with the executor or personal representative.

This could be:

  • A family member

  • A solicitor

  • A professional executor

  • A bank or trust company

The person inheriting the estate does not complete HMRC forms unless they are also the executor.

What You Need Before Completing HMRC Forms

To complete any HMRC form you normally need:

  • Death certificate

  • Will (if there is one)

  • National Insurance number of the deceased

  • Details of income they received before death

  • Bank statements

  • Property valuations

  • Investment summaries

  • Life insurance information

  • Details of all debts

  • Details of lifetime gifts

  • Details of trusts connected to the person

In my opinion gathering these documents early makes the process significantly easier.

Real UK Examples

Example 1: Simple estate, no tax

George leaves an estate worth £180,000 and no gifts.
Forms needed: IHT205 and Tell HMRC Someone Has Died.
HMRC confirms no tax is due. Probate granted.

Example 2: Estate over £325,000

Helen leaves an estate worth £600,000 including a house.
Forms needed: IHT400, IHT421, IHT402, IHT435.
Some Inheritance Tax due. IHT paid. Probate granted.

Example 3: Deceased in Self Assessment

Sam was self employed.
Forms needed: Tell HMRC Someone Has Died, final Self Assessment return, probate forms depending on estate value.

Example 4: Estate earning rental income during administration

Estate receives £4,000 rent while waiting for sale.
Forms: SA900 estate return, R185 to beneficiaries.

Example 5: Trust connection

Jane was beneficiary of a trust.
Forms: IHT400 with trust schedules.

Final Thoughts

When someone dies HMRC may need several forms depending on the size of the estate and the deceased’s financial affairs. Simple estates use the IHT205 or IHT207 and require little interaction with HMRC. Larger or more complex estates require the full IHT400 and schedules plus probate summaries. The deceased’s final Income Tax position must also be settled through either an R27 or a Self Assessment return. The estate may even need its own tax return if it earns income before distribution.

In my opinion the best approach is to treat the process like two separate tasks. First deal with the Inheritance Tax and probate forms. Then handle the Income Tax and estate administration forms. Understanding this split makes the steps clear and helps executors complete HMRC requirements confidently and correctly.