DMBM585275 - Pre-enforcement: consider the defaulter: deceased customers: personal representative not known

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No earlier than two months after the date of death:

  • ask Customer Ops or for indirect taxes, DTO or EEC team at Liverpool:
  • for the name of the personal representative
  • whether they have received a completed form R27 which will supply information about the personal representative and the deceased estate
  • make use other sources of information to help; for example, tax credits, NIRS2, DTOs Electronic Folder, EEC team Liverpool, Experian or the taxpayer’s agent
  • note the information on the relevant computer systems
  • make further enquiries starting with the person who notified HMRC of the death or at the deceased’s last known address to find out:
  • if there is a personal representative
  • if there is an estate and whether or not probate/confirmation is being sought.

It is reasonable to assume initially that a relative will be dealing with the deceased’s affairs.

If four months after the date of death either:

  • you find out that no one intends to act for the estate
  • you do not know if anyone is acting

look in the Calendar of Grants to find out if probate/confirmation has been obtained.