Finance Act, 1894

Powers to accept composition for death duties.

44 & 45 Vict. c. 12.

13. (1) Where, by reason of the number of deaths on which property has passed or of the complicated nature of the interests of different persons in property which has passed on death, or from any other cause, it is difficult to ascertain exactly the amount of death duties or any of them payable in respect of any property or any interest therein, or so to ascertain the same without undue expense in proportion to the value of the property or interest, the Commissioners on the application of any person accountable for any duty thereon, and upon his giving to them all the information in his power respecting the amount of the property and the several interests therein, and other circumstances of the case, may by way of composition for all or any of the death duties payable in respect of the property, or interest and the various interests therein, or any of them, assess such sum on, the value of the property, or interest, as having regard to the circumstances appears proper, and may accept payment of the sum so assessed, in full discharge of all claims for death duties in respect of such property or interest, and shall give a certificate of discharge accordingly;

(2) Provided that the certificate shall not discharge any person from any duty in case of fraud or failure to disclose material facts.

(3) In this section the expression “death duties” means the Estate duty under this Act, the duties mentioned in the First Schedule to this Act and the legacy and succession duties, and the duty payable on any representation or inventory under any Act in force before the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1881.