jmallard Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Hi Everyone, I was wondering if the surviving spouse can e-file a tax return for a deceased taxpayer? I always thought that in this situation the surviving spouse had to paper file the return and attach a copy of the death certificate. Seems like ATX software doesn't care. It is ready to create an e-file for me. I just don't want a rejected return from the IRS and also want to do it properly. Any advise is appreciated. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxperson Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Yes. You can efile that. Have you tried to create the efile yet? Did you put the date of death on the 1040 Filer Information sheet? Occassionally, a decedent return will reject but that's almost always a case of the taxpayer date of death being very close to the date the efile is transmitted and the Social Security Administration master file not being updated. The IRS validates the efile against the SSA master file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsowers Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 I have a question along these lines... Can the personal representative (no spouse) receive the direct deposited refund of the decedent? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gail in Virginia Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 My experience has been that if the taxpayer died during the tax year, the surviving spouse can e-file without a problem. However, if the taxpayer died after the end of the tax year, the surviving spouse cannot e-file. I did not realize this was because of SSA files. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmallard Posted February 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Thanks for the responses. taxperson Yes, I filled out the date of death in the filer's information area. Taxpayer passed last September, so SSA files should be up to date by now. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tax Prep by Deb Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Thanks for the responses. taxperson Yes, I filled out the date of death in the filer's information area. Taxpayer passed last September, so SSA files should be up to date by now. Jerry I already filed one who's spouse died the first of December and it went through without any problem. What my clients have told me in the past however is that the refund doesn't always show up on the same schedule as if both spouses were alive. It is sometime delayed! Deb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booger Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Thanks for the responses. taxperson Yes, I filled out the date of death in the filer's information area. Taxpayer passed last September, so SSA files should be up to date by now. Jerry Mr. Duck (just kidding!!), you have more faith in our government than I do. By the way, is one of relatives working (shilling) for AFLAC??? (Just kidding) Booger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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