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January 16, 2022
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Question about after-death tax return

  • January 16, 2022
  • 1 reply
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I’m using TurboTax to prepare returns for a relative who died. 

 

I’m the "personal representative" for the estate.

 

IRS Publication 559 says the following about preparing Form 1040:

  

Write … the personal representative's NAME and address in the ADDRESS field.

  

In the Personal Info section of TurboTax, I answered YES to this question:   I'm preparing this return for Edith who has passed away. 

 

I added my address to the TurboTax address field.

  

But TurboTax does not provide any place to add my name as personal representative.

  

So when e-filing the return, it’s impossible to follow instructions in Publication 559 which say my name should be added to the address line.

 

TurboTax says it’s OK to e-file an after-death return.

 

So I would assume many people have successfully e-filed returns for deceased relatives without having their name on the address line.

 

But it makes me wonder why TurboTax omits information from the return that the IRS clearly says should be added.

 

Is it OK to e-file the return even though my name does not appear anywhere on it?

 

 

    Best answer by DMarkM1

     

    Thanks again for your reply.

     

    I'm unable to find any screens like those you posted.

     

    I'm using the online version of Turbo.

     

    The screens you posted look like they're from a different version.

     

    Are they from desktop version?  Or maybe a professional version?

     

    I went thru all steps on Turbo.

     

    A small tax is due. No refund is due so there's no Form 1310.

     

    When I view the 1040 form, top of form correctly says:   DECEASED   JOHN DOE   11/05/2021

     

    When I select REVIEW, Turbo says everything is OK.

     

    When I select FILE, I request to e-file the return.

     

    Final step asks me to enter 5-digit number and click this button:  Transmit my returns now.

     

    I'm never asked about  In Care of Representative  or  Personal Representative.

     

    When I search for those terms in Turbo, there are no results.

     

    IRS Publication 559 says my name should be added to ADDRESS LINE as personal representative.

     

    But my name does not appear because Turbo never asks for it.

     

     


    As you stated and found in IRS Publication 559 your name and address go in the address field.  

     

    In the "Personal info" section edit the address and in the "address" field type "C/O" and your name and your address." 

    1 reply

    Employee
    January 17, 2022

    TurboTax should present a screen where you enter your name as personal representative.

     

    Regardless, you might want to print and mail the return in any event since you should really also be filing Form 56.

     

    See https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-56

    jello77Author
    January 17, 2022

     

    Many thanks for your reply.

     

    Do you have any idea when or where TurboTax asks for your name as personal representative?

     

    I can't find it anywhere.

     

    I went through all steps right up to the point of submitting the return. 

     

    TurboTax never asked for my name.

     

    I've already submitted Form 56 by mail.

     

    So I really prefer to e-file the tax return.

     

    IRS is saying paper returns will take much longer to process than e-filed returns.

     

     

     

    Employee
    January 17, 2022

    You should come across the following screen.

     

    2.png

     

     

    If you do not, then you should see the following screen at the final review.

     

    Untitled.png