Legal Blog

The Weekly Scenario: Executor of an Estate

 

An executor of an estate has several duties.  Of the many duties, one that is often missed is to ensure that all income tax returns have been filed for the decedent, including filing the final personal income tax return.  After a person dies, any income earned prior to their death must be reported to the IRS (and state taxing authorities) on the final income tax return.

The deadline is April 15th of the year following death.  If a person passed away in 2021 and had income before he died, then by April 15, 2022, the final income tax return needs to be filed or an extension needs to be filed. The filing of the income tax return can sometimes hold up the closing of the estate.  An executor would be prudent to wait until the final income tax return is filed to close out the estate.

If a decedent was married, keep in mind that the surviving widow or widower may file a joint return.

If there is money owed for income taxes, then the executor must make the payment from the estate. If there is a refund, then the executor must claim the refund.  In order to claim the refund, an IRS form 1310 must be filed with the final return. Note that there is no requirement they a probate administration be opened to request the tax refund.  The form 1310 allows the IRS to pay the refund directly to the executor, therefore, avoiding the need for an estate administration (probate).

 

As always, if you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact Steve Shane at sshane@offitkurman.com or 301.575.0313.

 

ABOUT STEVE SHANE

Steve Shane Casual Smallsshane@offitkurman.com | 301.575.0313

Steve Shane provides strategic counseling to clients in need of estate administration, charitable giving and business continuity planning while minimizing estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax exposure. He offers legal guidance to clients on asset protection and the proper disposition of assets in accordance with the client’s objectives, while employing tax planning techniques such as the use of irrevocable trusts, life insurance planning, lifetime gifts, and a charitable trust. He is also experienced with drafting documents for business planning, the incorporation, and application for exemption for Private Foundations and the administration of decedents’ estates.

 

 

 

 

ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN

Offit Kurman, one of the fastest-growing, full-service law firms in the United States, serves dynamic businesses, individuals and families. With 15 offices and nearly 250 lawyers who counsel clients across more than 30 areas of practice, Offit Kurman helps maximize and protect business value and personal wealth by providing innovative and entrepreneurial counsel that focuses on clients’ business objectives, interests and goals. The firm is distinguished by the quality, breadth and global reach of its legal services and a unique operational structure that encourages a culture of collaboration. For more information, visit www.offitkurman.com.

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