Using British government stock

Write to Computershare Investor Services, who run the British government stock scheme.

Tell them you want to pay Inheritance Tax and how much of the stock you want to use. Enclose a copy of the death certificate and the stock reference number (if you have it).

British Government Stocks (Gilts)
Computershare Investor Services plc
The Pavilions
Bristol
BS99 6ZW

Computershare Investor Services plc
gilts@computershare.co.uk
Telephone: 0370 703 0143
Find out about call charges

At the same time, send HMRC:

HM Revenue and Customs
Inheritance Tax Team
BX9 1HT

HMRC will contact Computershare and ask for the money to be transferred. This could take up to 4 weeks.

Do not pay this way if you need to get probate (known as ‘confirmation’ in Scotland) quickly. (Probate is the right to deal with the deceased person’s property, money and possessions.)

After the money has been transferred

If the amount transferred is not enough to cover the Inheritance Tax you owe, HMRC will write to tell you how much to pay and how to pay it.

In England and Wales

HMRC will send you a unique code so that you can apply for probate online.

In Northern Ireland

HMRC will send your IHT421 form to the Probate Registry. The Probate Registry will confirm you have probate by sending you a ‘grant of representation’.

In Scotland

HMRC will return your Confirmation form C1 to you so you can apply for confirmation.