New figures show that, over the course of a year, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has seen a 23% rise in the amount of money raised by challenging the valuation of estates.

The number of estates that will be liable to pay Inheritance Tax (IHT) will surge in the coming years, going up from 21,000 in 2012/13 to 42,000 in 2016/17, according to recent reports.