My mother died in November 2011. My father's been dead for 13 years. April 15 is coming and I have no idea what to do (or if I should) file federal and/or state income taxes for my mother. She lived in a NH for all of 2011 until she died and her money was spent down on the monthly rent, but there was some money left when she died, which went to me, POD. There was no real estate.
My husband has always done our taxes and, for the past 5 years, my mother's. He's getting nervous about doing hers this year but we don't want to go to H&R Block or anything. I'm hoping it will be fairly simple. Do we need a special form? Her money did generate some interest, so if she actually owes taxes, do we have to pay it?
Any advice or information is very much appreciated. We're in NJ.
Thank you
For example, how much money did she leave you and is it exempt from inheritance tax? I'm not a tax person, but if your husband is nervous, then there must be a reason. Get some professional guidance.
Good luck and God Bless you. I hope it all works out and is simple.
In my mom's and late MIL state, they have VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. In my mom's city it's a United Way/Catholic Charities and University Law school joint program. The volunteers are trained. It's free.
AARP sites don't handle anything complicated. VITA site does but only at the law school. Both require ID's and prior returns and DPOA or executor paperwork.
My MIL died last year and we are doing her taxes, it's a good idea to have the taxes done to present to probate to show there is no IRS debt or other liens. I went to an AARP location first and they sent me to the VITAS law school site as she had 1099-C's (cancellation of debt) and don't do those. Good luck.
Tax possibly owed on interest (depends on amount).What money she had at time of death will 1st go to pay her outstanding debts, then to you. Hold on to money you received until her debts (including taxes) are paid.
OR go with what a couple of others had suggested and that was to talk with a CPA if you can afford it. Good Luck.
I'm still here - thanks for your answer. My brother and I were co-executors. Her bank account was not a joint one, it was in her name only, with Payable upon Death to myself and my brother. It earned some interest in 2011, so I figured she would owe something. I guess that'll have to come out of the inheritance. My husband will be calling the IRS - thanks to everyone who suggested that. The reason he (and I) don't want to go to H&R Block is simple: they charge money. We may end up having to spend some on a CPA anyway if this all gets too complicated, but her estate was so simple, I'm hoping we'll be able to figure it all out.
Thank you,
(800) 829-1040
You will file return just as if Dad was still here - just put "deceased" at top of front page on 1040 Form.
All of this takes time. I'm dealing with my moms probate & her state allows 4 years for it to close.
Cashing in the deceased IRS refund to you personally has all sorts of issues.
If someone dies in a year, they are considered as having been alive the whole year. They get the complete standard deduction (or itemized, if that is the case). SS will probably not be taxed unless retirement income was high. From what you write, it sounds like it wasn't.
You won't be able to file online. You will have to have the authority to file the tax return and to sign as a personal representative. If you are the executor of the will, there is no problem. IRS has instructions online about special things to do when the taxpayer is deceased. It is pretty simple.
Why the hurry for the tax refund?
There's a lot of anxiety here over something that will not move any faster than it does on each year's cycle.
Are you the executor? If you are not, then who is?
Social Security has been informed of his death?
Was his money moved into an the estate of _____________ account?
Is there a will?
One copy is sent to your deceased dad's old address and the other to the IRS. Those who send out the 1099s need to know the correct address to send them to, if that has not already been dealt with.
My memory tells me that you have to send a death certificate along with the return.
Even without the 1099 and guessing at it, you can't file because the forms have not even been made yet.
Who actually owns the house? Is the house paid for? Who pays the property tax and home owners insurance?
Two sisters are keeping up a house big enough for four families? That is a huge house! Isn't that too big for them?
For the last month of 2013, you should have had to pay taxes on the accounts you held jointly with your dad. That is true of 2014 and 2015 as well?