Estate Inventory Deadline – 3 Months from Death
· 2 min read
Calculating the deadline
According to Chapter 20, Section 1 of the Code of Inheritance, the estate inventory must be conducted within three months of the death. The deadline is calculated from the date of death and ends on the corresponding date three calendar months later. For example, if the deceased dies on March 10, the estate inventory event must be held by June 10 at the latest.
It is important to note that the estate inventory event itself must be held within the deadline. The deed must be submitted to the Tax Administration within one month of the estate inventory event.
Who is responsible for organising
The duty to arrange the estate inventory belongs to the estate shareholder in whose care the estate's property is or who best knows the estate's situation. This person is called the estate notifier. In practice, this is most often the surviving spouse, a child, or another close relative. The estate notifier may delegate the practical arrangements to a lawyer or other expert.
Consequences of delay
If the estate inventory is not conducted within the deadline, the Tax Administration may impose a tax surcharge. The surcharge is typically 10–40 percent of the inheritance tax amount. The delay also causes practical problems: bank accounts remain frozen and inheritance distribution is postponed. A late estate inventory must still be conducted — the obligation does not expire with the passage of time.
Submitting the deed
The estate inventory deed must be submitted to the Tax Administration within one month of the estate inventory event. Submission can be done electronically through the OmaVero service or by post. The deed is accompanied by required documents such as family records, the will, and account statements. The Tax Administration uses the deed as the basis for inheritance taxation.
Special situations
In certain situations, the three-month deadline may prove insufficient. These include, for example, extensive international estates, simultaneous estates from multiple deceased persons, or situations where shareholders are difficult to reach. In these situations, it is advisable to request an extension from the Tax Administration as early as possible. The extension application is free-form but must justify the reason for the need.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the estate inventory deadline?
According to Chapter 20, Section 1 of the Code of Inheritance, the estate inventory must be conducted within three months of the deceased's death. The deadline begins from the date of death and ends on the corresponding date three calendar months later. If the last day falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. This three-month rule applies to all estates regardless of the estate's size or the nature of the assets.
What happens if the estate inventory is late?
If the estate inventory is not conducted within the prescribed time without an acceptable reason, the Tax Administration may impose a tax surcharge on the inheritance tax. The surcharge can be significant, typically 10–40 percent of the tax amount. Additionally, the delay can postpone inheritance distribution and the handling of banking matters, causing practical problems for estate shareholders. However, the delay does not make the estate inventory void.
Can the estate inventory deadline be extended?
Yes. An extension can be requested from the Tax Administration before the three-month deadline expires. The application must justify why the extension is needed — typical reasons include a large or complex estate, property abroad, or difficulty in reaching shareholders. The Tax Administration generally grants extensions of 1–3 months at a time. The application should be submitted well before the deadline expires.
From what date is the estate inventory deadline calculated?
The three-month estate inventory deadline is calculated from the deceased's date of death, not from, for example, the date of the funeral or the death certificate. For example, if the deceased dies on January 15, the estate inventory must be conducted by April 15 at the latest. In practice, the date of the estate inventory event is what matters — the deed does not need to be submitted to the Tax Administration within this time, but the event itself must be held within the deadline.
Whose duty is it to ensure the estate inventory is conducted?
According to the Code of Inheritance, the estate shareholder in whose care the estate property is or who is otherwise best acquainted with the estate's situation is obliged to act as the estate notifier and ensure the estate inventory is arranged. In practice, this usually means the surviving spouse or the deceased's child. The estate notifier may authorise a lawyer or other expert to handle the practical arrangements of the estate inventory.
Read also
How to request an extension for the estate inventory? Learn about the grounds, submitting the application to the Tax Administration, and consequences of exceeding the deadline.
What documents are needed for an estate inventory? A comprehensive list: family records, civil registry certificates, will, bank statements, and property documents.
Key duties of the estate administrator: estate management, documents, estate inventory, and inheritance distribution. Who can serve as estate administrator?