Feedback sought on Inheritance Tax as Call for Evidence and Survey released

The Office of Tax Simplification has released a call for evidence and online survey to gather views on Inheritance Tax.

With an aim to obtain a fuller picture of people’s encounters with and perception of the tax, the OTS is inviting those with personal experience of IHT to inform its simplification review.

Whilst the OTS acknowledges that tax rates predominantly lie with government, it sets out that it’s particularly interested in the complexity of the legislation surrounding the tax, its application and the relevant processes which need to be followed.

As well as seeking the views of individuals who have had to contend with the tax when a relative has died, the OTS is also seeking to hear from professional advisers as well as representative bodies. In order to gain as full a picture as possible, an online survey has also been released to the public on a general basis.

The call for evidence and survey follow Chancellor Philip Hammond’s requests for a review of the tax earlier this year. In a letter to the Office, he described the levy and regime as “particularly complex”, asking it to consider if the system was truly fit for purpose.

Paul Morton, Tax Director of the Office for Tax Simplification said:

“This call for evidence and survey will help inform our research into Inheritance Tax and the recommendations we make in our final report. We know that there is a great deal to consider and we want to explore this with the help of individual taxpayers, as well as professional advisers and representative groups.

“In a nutshell, while tax rates are for government, the role of the OTS is to challenge tax complexity and so help all users of the tax system, and so we hope to hear from as many individuals as possible. We are keen to hear both from those who have had some experience of dealing with Inheritance Tax and those who are concerned about it, but who may be unfamiliar with it.”

The full consultation can be found here.

The online survey can be accessed here.

Both will run until 8 June 2018.