Explanatory note

Estate Duty is chargeable in relation to deaths before 13th March 1975; it was replaced for deaths on or after that date by capital transfer tax, now known as inheritance tax. Article 2 of this Order provides that interest on unpaid estate duty will run at 6 per cent. (instead of at the previous rate of 8 per cent. as imposed by S.I. 1986/1942) under the various provisions which impose a fixed rate of interest. By Article 3 the limit on the discretionary rate of interest which may be charged where payment of estate duty is postponed on grounds of hardship is correspondingly altered by substituting 6 per cent. for 8 per cent. The effect of this Order in conjunction with section 48(1) of the Finance Act 1975 (c. 7) is that from 6th June 1987 interest will also run at 6 per cent. when overpaid estate duty is repaid.