Complete the IHT400 without a solicitor

Answer plain-English questions about the estate. We work out the tax and fill in HMRC's own IHT400 and schedules, box by box.

Free questions and tax estimate. £149 once for the completed forms.

IHT400, filled inExample estate
51Deceased's residence550,000
52Bank and building society accounts95,210
63Listed stocks and shares80,000
81Funeral expenses6,000
111Residence nil rate band350,000
116Transferable nil rate band325,000
Box 119, Inheritance Tax£0.00

What you get

HMRC's own forms, filled in from your answers, with everything you need to send them. If the estate doesn't need an IHT400, we tell you, free.

The IHT400 and its schedules

HMRC's PDF forms with every box you need completed, and only the schedules that apply to the estate.

The tax worked out

Nil rate band, a late spouse's unused allowances, the residence nil rate band and its taper, gifts, charity at 36%, using the rules for the date of death.

A checklist for posting

What to attach, where to post, how to pay from the deceased's bank account, and when everything is due.

IHT400IHT400 CalculationIHT402IHT403IHT404IHT405IHT406IHT407IHT409IHT410IHT411IHT416IHT419IHT421IHT423IHT430IHT435IHT436

How it works

  1. Answer in plain English

    One short group of questions at a time, only what applies, each with HMRC's guidance reference. Your answers save as you go.

  2. See the tax as you go

    The estimate updates with every answer, with the date tax is due and when interest starts.

  3. Download, sign, post

    Print HMRC's forms, check them, sign page 16 and post them with the checklist.

When you still need a professional

We say so plainly, and we don't sell forms that would leave part of the estate out.

Trusts and gifts kept in use

Trust interests, gifts into trusts, and gifts the deceased kept using, like a home given away but still lived in.

Assets abroad and residence

Foreign property or accounts, and anyone who was not a long-term UK resident.

Businesses and farms

We estimate Business and Agricultural Relief, including the 2026 limits. The relief schedules need an adviser.

One price, one estate

The questions and the estimate are free. Pay only when you want the completed forms.

£149

Paid once. No subscription.

  • HMRC's own IHT400 and the schedules this estate needs, filled in
  • The tax working, box by box
  • Your checklist: what to attach, where to post, how to pay
  • Deadlines and interest worked out from the date of death
  • Edit your answers and download again any time
Start free

Questions

Who needs to send an IHT400?

The executor or administrator of an estate that is not an excepted estate. A small estate is excepted if it is within the nil rate band (£325,000), increased by any unused nil rate band transferred from a late husband, wife or civil partner (up to twice it when none of theirs was used); an estate of up to £3 million can be excepted when what is left after debts and what goes to a spouse or charity is within those limits. Gifts, trusts, foreign assets and some other things change that. An IHT400 is usually needed when tax is due, or when the estate relies on the residence nil rate band or Business or Agricultural Relief. Our free check tells you which applies, and we won't sell the forms for an estate that doesn't need them. The IHT205 short form was abolished for deaths from 1 January 2022.

What are the deadlines?

Inheritance Tax is due by the end of the sixth month after the month of death. Interest is charged after that, currently 7.75% a year. The IHT400 itself must be sent within 12 months of the end of the month of death (HMRC's form asks for it within 12 months of the death). Claims to transfer a late spouse's unused allowances must be made within 2 years.

Are these HMRC's real forms?

Yes. We fill in the PDF forms HMRC publishes on gov.uk (Crown copyright, used under the Open Government Licence). You print them, check them, sign page 16 and post them to HMRC with your attachments.

How accurate is it?

The calculation follows the IHT400, its schedules and the IHT400 Calculation box by box, with the rules in force on the date of death, including the 2026 changes to Business and Agricultural Relief. You stay responsible for the values you enter and for checking the forms before you sign. Where part of an estate needs a specialist, such as trusts, foreign assets, gifts kept in use or Business Relief schedules, we say so plainly and don't sell forms that would leave it out.

What does it cost?

The questions and the tax estimate are free. The completed forms, the tax working and your checklist are £149, paid once for one estate. You can change your answers and download again as often as you need.

Is this legal or tax advice?

No. IHT400.com is independent software, not a solicitor or an adviser, and is not affiliated with HMRC. For complex estates, ask a solicitor, chartered tax adviser or accountant.

Start with the questions you can answer today

Come back as valuations arrive. Everything is saved.

Start free