Royal London urges HMRC to extend executors' IHT bill deadline

On 'complex' estates

Victoria McKeever
clock • 3 min read

Royal London has called on HMRC to grant people more time to settle inheritance tax (IHT) bills, after finding executors of larger, more complex estates risk having to pay these out of their own pocket.

The provider's warning is based on research conducted into the financial issues that arise after someone dies. It called for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to allow people more time to pay IHT bills where more complex estates are being wound up.  Currently, IHT must be paid by the end of the sixth month after death. Royal London said, however, the complexity of the process and the assets contained in many - particularly larger - estates, means they are unlikely to be sold in time to meet this bill.   If the estate's assets cannot be sold by the time the IHT bill arrives, executors must f...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Tax planning

IHT receipts continue to climb ahead of 2027 pension changes

IHT receipts continue to climb ahead of 2027 pension changes

April – December 2025 saw Treasury net £6.6bn from estates

Jenna Brown
clock 22 January 2026 • 3 min read
Octopus' Kristy Barr: Estate planning innovation crucial as govt shifts goalposts

Octopus' Kristy Barr: Estate planning innovation crucial as govt shifts goalposts

Last two Budgets have ‘caused a lot of uncertainty, a lot of disruption’

Jenna Brown
clock 20 January 2026 • 8 min read
Will IHT reforms trigger a pension scam epidemic?

Will IHT reforms trigger a pension scam epidemic?

'People feel that they can trust what they see on social media'

Caitlin Southall
clock 20 January 2026 • 4 min read