Filing tax return for deceased parent

Jay_Bertoch
Jay_Bertoch Member Posts: 2 Newcomer
in General

I am the personal representative for a deceased parent. Can I file her personal tax return using this software?

Answers

  • Henry
    Henry FreeTaxUSA Agent Posts: 140 image
    Hello Jay_Bertoch, yes, you can use FreeTaxUSA to file your parent's final personal tax return as her personal representative. Here's a general overview of what's involved:

    When filing the return, you'll create or log into an account and prepare the return as you normally would, but you'll indicate that the taxpayer is deceased and enter her date of death. Then enter information in the software as if you were your parent. The return covers income she received from the beginning of the tax year up to her date of death. Any income received after the date of death would generally be reported on a separate Estate Income Tax Return (Form 1041).

    As the personal representative, you'll also want to be aware of a few other steps:

    1. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the estate.
    2. File Form 56 to notify the IRS that you are acting as a fiduciary for the estate.
    3. Make sure any payers of income (banks, brokerages, etc.) are notified of the death and given the estate's EIN for income earned after the date of death.

    We have a detailed community article that walks through all of this step by step. You can find it here: https://community.freetaxusa.com/kb/articles/201-how-do-i-file-a-tax-return-following-the-death-of-a-family-member

    IRS Publication 559, Survivors, Executors and Administrators, is also a great resource if you'd like more in-depth guidance from the IRS directly. (https://www.irs.gov/publications/p559)
  • Jay_Bertoch
    Jay_Bertoch Member Posts: 2 Newcomer

    Sorry for the late reply, but thank you, Henry, for a great response! This was extremely helpful to me.

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