HMRC is intensifying checks on property valuations as inheritance tax receipts rise. Referrals to the Valuation Office Agency increased by 23.5% last year, reflecting tougher enforcement. Frozen tax thresholds and rising house prices are pulling more estates into the 40% tax bracket, with further pressure expected when pensions are included from 2027. Officials are increasingly using AI and data matching to flag discrepancies, leading to more disputes and delays for executors. Experts warn the crackdown could increase administrative burdens, even as inheritance tax revenues hit record highs and the Government seeks to maximise collections. Laura Walkley, of TWM Solicitors, said: "There has been a noticeable shift towards questioning figures submitted in inheritance tax returns, rather than accepting them at face value."
