When do you pay Inheritance Tax?

• Inheritance Tax is due before the end of the sixth month after the date of death.
• Payment for Inheritance Tax is required in order to be granted probate, which often creates a financial challenge for estates.
• Provira’s Estate Advance helps executors overcome this by offering access to up to 50% of the net value of the estate within days.

You must pay Inheritance Tax within six months of the date of death. 

Payment usually has to happen in order for probate to be granted, which often creates an issue for asset-rich, cash-poor estates. 

This is one of the biggest financial obstacles estates can face in the probate process and can prove overwhelming for executors. 

At Provira, we help families struggling to cover Inheritance Tax bills every day. 

Our Estate Advance is commonly used to cover Inheritance Tax, relieving executors of any financial pressure.

Also known as an Inheritance Tax Loan, it provides executors with up to 50% of the net estate value within days.

By taking out our loan you’ll also:

• Only pay simple interest, not compound interest, saving you money in the long run.
• Have no personal liability, it’s secured entirely against the estate.
• Not have to deal with monthly payments. The loan is repaid in full once the estate is settled.
• Authorise us to deal with lawyers and HMRC directly, taking the stress off your plate.
• Not have to pay any early repayment fees if anything wraps up sooner than expected.

Plus, we dedicate a supportive member of our team to your case to guide you through it from start to finish.

To get started, reach out to us today.

What is Inheritance Tax?

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is the tax paid on the total value of a person’s estate – their home, savings and all items – after they die.

In the UK, the standard rate of IHT is 40%. This applies to the value of the estate which sits above the nil rate band, which is currently £325,000. 

There is also the residence nil rate band, an additional £175,000, which can be applied if a home is left to a child or grandchild.

For more information on the tax thresholds and allowances available, read our full breakdown here.

What is the deadline for paying Inheritance Tax?

The deadline for paying Inheritance Tax (IHT) is six months after the date of death. It’s counted from the general month, rather than the exact date. 

For example, someone who died at any point in January must pay by July 31st. 

Paying off IHT is the responsibility of whoever is administering the estate. If there’s a will, it sits with an executor. If there’s no will, the estate goes through what’s called intestacy, and an assigned administrator will handle everything.

HMRC’s six-month deadline can pose a problem for a lot of estates. When an estate has all of its value tied up in assets, there’s often no cash to pay off an Inheritance Tax bill.

This can place a heavy burden on executors when trying to figure out how to cover the cost. 

Luckily, Provira can help. 

Our Estate Advance offers executors a lifeline, providing up to 50% of the net value of the estate within days so they can pay off their bill and keep probate moving.

Not only that, but we keep your costs low by only charging simple interest, not compound interest, not charging early repayment fees if everything wraps up sooner than expected, and not requiring any monthly payments. 

The loan is simply repaid in full once the estate is settled and funds are released.

To get started, fill in our form and our team will be in touch very soon.

Do you pay Inheritance Tax before or after probate?

You pay Inheritance Tax before probate as HMRC requires payment as part of the application. 

This can pose a significant financial obstacle for estates because the Grant of Probate is what gives an executor the legal authority to deal with the estate, including the transfer of assets such as selling property or investments.

However in order to get a Grant of Probate, a portion of Inheritance Tax must be paid.

In short, this can leave executors in a catch-22: estate assets are essentially frozen until probate is granted, but they may need the money tied up in those assets to pay the Inheritance Tax and obtain probate in the first place.

This can put a significant amount of pressure on executors to keep probate moving. 

That’s where our Estate Advance can offer executors a lifeline. Read more about it here.

What happens if you don’t pay Inheritance Tax on time?

If you don’t pay Inheritance Tax (IHT) on time – before the six-month deadline – the estate will face interest and possibly penalties. 

As of 2026, HMRC’s late-payment rate for IHT is 7.75%. 

Let’s see how this looks in practice:

• An estate receives an £160,000 IHT bill 
• The bill is left unpaid for six months after the deadline
• It accrues £6,000 in interest before any possible penalties, significantly increasing the final amount owed

Leaving an Inheritance Tax bill unpaid also stalls probate, delaying the entire administration process, including when beneficiaries will receive their inheritance.

Importantly, HMRC does allow IHT to be paid in instalments if an estate includes illiquid assets such as:

• Houses, including a residential property that the family intends on keeping
• Shares and securities that gave the deceased control of more than 50% of a company
• Business interests and qualifying agricultural land
• Unlisted shares worth more than £20,000

However, this isn’t always granted.

On every estate above the tax-free threshold, an initial payment is still due within six months of the date of death. If IHT is paid in installments, a payment plan is worked out for the remaining balance, with interest charges applied. 

How can Provira help pay Inheritance Tax?

The HMRC six-month deadline for when you pay Inheritance Tax is very strict. 

And when executors have an overwhelming amount of new legal processes and general estate administration to get to grips with, often while grieving, those six months can fly by.

So if an estate has its wealth tied up in assets with little to no cash accessible, an Inheritance Tax bill can pose a serious problem. 

Luckily, Provira’s Estate Advance can provide a simple way forward for executors. 

You’ll be able to access up to 50% of the net value of the estate, and face no personal liability as the loan is secured entirely against the estate. 

By taking out our loan you’ll also:

• Only pay simple interest, not compound interest, saving you money in the long run
• Not need to pay any early repayment fees if everything wraps up sooner than expected
• Not have to pay any monthly instalments. Instead the loan is repaid in full once the estate’s been settled.

Plus, you’ll have a member of our compassionate team dedicated to your case from start to finish, so you can move forward with confidence. 

Need to cover an Inheritance Tax bill? Apply for funding today.