ESTATE OF AIRMAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 1 December 1945, Page 4

ESTATE OF AIRMAN

INTEREST CHARGED ON DEATH DUTY Auckland, Nov. 29. A complaint that the Stamp Duties Office had charged interest on death duty payable on the estate of an airman who had died on active service was made in a letter received by the executive of the Auckland Returned Services’ Association. The writer of the letter said that his brother, a flying officer, had failed to return from a bombing mission on sth August. 1943. After six months a certificate that the airman had been presumed dead was received by his next-of-kin, who had since been notified that his death was finally registered on 7th June, 1945. ‘<When we came to settle the estate we were informed by the Stamp Office that death duties were payable, plus interest at the rate of 5 per cent, from sth November, 1943. a date three months after my brothqy was reported missing.” added the letter. The president of the association (Mr A. P. Postlewaite) said he knew of other cases where relatives of servicemen had had to pay interest on death duties. It was decided to refer the matter to Dominion headquarters of the association. and urge that interest be not charged on death duty on such estates.