When a person dies, there are a number of tax issues that need to be resolved. While some of these may be resolved through the estate administration process, others need to be addressed by filing a final income tax return.
A Final Income Tax Return (IRS Form 1040) is filed by the personal representative of an estate to report the decedent’s income during the period in which they were living. This is typically an estate executor, but it could be any responsible party that is involved in the decedent’s affairs, such as a spouse, child or business partner.
The return will include all of the income that the deceased received during their lifetime, plus any income they accrued after death. If the deceased had substantial savings or investments, for example, the amount of interest earned on those assets would be reported on the final return.
Generally, the final return is filed with the IRS on Form 1040 and the required tax forms of the state in which the deceased lived. An executor will prepare the returns as if the decedent were still alive, listing credits and deductions for which the deceased qualified.
Once the return has been filed, any heirs or beneficiaries who receive money from the estate can claim the decedent’s refund by attaching a copy of the return to their individual income tax return and requesting a refund payment from the IRS. Depending on the type of refund, the decedent’s heirs can collect a percentage or entire amount of the amount owed to them.
If there are any heirs who receive money from the estate, it is important to apply for a federal identification number on a form SS-4 as soon as possible. This is used by all parties that receive the funds, including bank accounts, credit unions and brokerage firms.
The SS-4 is also used to report the amount of income earned by the estate, such as interest on estate bank accounts and rental payments made from real estate property included in the estate. It is essential to have a SS-4 on hand so that the income can be reported correctly when preparing the final return.
An estate must file Form 706 for federal and state transfer or estate taxes within nine months of death, unless an extension is granted by the IRS. The tax is calculated on the net value of all assets transferred to the estate.
As part of the preparation of an estate tax return, the executor must make sure that all required forms are filed and all taxes are paid before the estate can be closed and distributions made to beneficiaries. If the trustee or executor is unable to file all of the required forms or pay all taxes, he or she should request a prompt assessment of tax from the IRS (IRS Form 4810) to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete and submit the return.
If an estate fails to file all of the required tax returns or pay all tax due, a penalty will be applied for each and every month or partial month the return is delayed, until the date of payment of all outstanding tax. In addition, any unpaid balances will bear interest at the federal rate.
