In the 2018/2019 tax year HMRC opened investigations into 5,537 inheritance tax returns submitted, according to figures gained from a freedom of information request by wealth managers Quilter.
This represents 23% of the 22,000 estates on which inheritance tax was due.
This number of investigations is 3.4% higher than in the previous year and 7.8% higher than before the introduction of the residence nil-rate band in April 2017.
Government figures showed that inheritance tax receipts in 2017/18 had increased markedly to £5.2 billion.
If you or your family require advice in respect of inheritance tax or probate and estate administration matters please contact our Private Client team on Rugby 01788 539000.