Tax refund on inheritance

Unfortunately not, there is no ability to claim a refund on inheritance. Why did he pay tax and not the actual estate though?

Technically it was inheritance as it came from my father. But it was a policy payout from his work, and money from retirement annuities where I was named as beneficiary so the estate did not deal with it, it was paid directly to me.

Then the amounts would have been taxed as per the lumpsum tables and no deduction or claim can be made against this once off tax.