IHTM31001 - Assessing: introduction

In order to collect tax and interest due to HMRC:IHT, and to account for the payments made to us, we formulate calculations of the appropriate liabilities by way of assessments. As accounting checks,

• all assessments are recorded on the SAGE ( IHTM31851) system

and, on an individual case scale,

• you manually record details of the assessments on file19 (IHTM31801).

As the case owner you are responsible for the issue of assessments and maintenance of the accounting records

Unless supported by a NOD ( IHTM37001) or issue of a clearance certificate ( IHTM40010), the assessments that you raise are simply informal calculations of tax and interest. If the taxpayer disagrees with the calculation, you must review the figures and resolve the discrepancy with them by correspondence or telephone.

This section of the manual is broken down to provide

• general guidance about the principles around raising an assessment,
• the mechanics of how you would prepare an assessment on COMPASS ( IHTM31101) or on the template ( IHTM31301), and then
• guidance on the calculations to include in your assessment.

The section then goes on to provide greater detail on deposits ( IHTM31751) and your accounting responsibilities.

The guidance relates to death, lifetime and settlement assessments.