Tax

[Suzoc]

Hi. My mother died in Ireland last year. Her property had already been sold to pay for her care. Probate is now complete but before the solicitor in Ireland will release funds to me she has asked for me to obtain a letter from an accountant or tax adviser to show that I do not need to complete a tax return nor will tax be due on the benefit I receive. I am employed and therefore do not have an accountant or tax adviser to do this so i contacted an independent accountant. She says that she, nor any independent adviser would know the information the solicitor requires. When I queried this with the solicitor she just replied with the same request that this information is needed in writing before funds are released. Help! I don't know who to speak to!

[AGoodman]

It's a peculiar request but an accountant should be able to confirm this quite easily. You seem to have been unlucky with your first choice.

Beneficiaries of estates are not liable for UK inheritance tax and the solicitor should already have considered UK inheritance tax on the estate itself.

Depending on the amounts, it is possible that you are subject to UK income tax on any income that has arisen to the estate since your mother died (e.g. bank interest). That's not really an issue for the Irish solicitor but should be easy to confirm.