Social Security from mom's passing
The SSA sent my mom's final SS check after her death to me in my name in 2024. How will I file that and can Free Tax USA handle that?
Best Answer
-
The issue for where and how to claim is not the issue. You mentioned that the SS income check (intended for your mother) was issued in your name. That means it is your income and must be claimed as such on your tax return. FreeTaxUSA is able to handle it.
The way the SS income started as isn't as important as how it was issued. SS income becomes taxable (under current law) when it is paired with other income such as wages, retirement distributions, and investment income. Please see this IRS answer.
Answers
-
If the payment(s) you received were Survivor Benefits, you'll receive an SSA-1099 for the year recording those benefits. You'll report that 1099 under 'Income' > 'Social Security Benefits' when you file your taxes next year. We'll automatically calculate how much, if any, of those payments are considered taxable.
If you received payments that were intended for your mother following her passing, you'll need to return those payments to the Social Security Administration.
