Comments on: What are the tax filing requirements for a final return? http://www.moneysnatchers.com/news/what-are-the-tax-filing-requirements-for-a-final-return/ Money Snatchers Finance Blog Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:16:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: May I help You? http://www.moneysnatchers.com/news/what-are-the-tax-filing-requirements-for-a-final-return/comment-page-1/#comment-325 May I help You? Mon, 25 May 2009 20:09:03 +0000 http://www.moneysnatchers.com/united-states/what-are-the-tax-filing-requirements-for-a-final-return/#comment-325 All forms, schedules and instructions search - put in your questions to see if you qualify, and ask for areas that you are trying to understand. It's really not that hard. GOD bless AMerica, always. CPA-retired All forms, schedules and instructions

search – put in your questions to see if you qualify, and ask for areas that you are trying to understand. It’s really not that hard.

GOD bless AMerica, always.
CPA-retired

]]> By: spicertax http://www.moneysnatchers.com/news/what-are-the-tax-filing-requirements-for-a-final-return/comment-page-1/#comment-324 spicertax Sat, 23 May 2009 00:41:22 +0000 http://www.moneysnatchers.com/united-states/what-are-the-tax-filing-requirements-for-a-final-return/#comment-324 Technically if an executor is appointed that person should sign for the decedent according to IRS instructions. If none appointed then the spouse can sign for the decedent - the IRS does not know or really care as long as somebody does it. Take your pick. If a refund is due Form 1310 is required then signatures become more important. The estate and spouse may need to split the refund if the estate does not go to the spouse. Technically if an executor is appointed that person should sign for the decedent according to IRS instructions. If none appointed then the spouse can sign for the decedent – the IRS does not know or really care as long as somebody does it. Take your pick. If a refund is due Form 1310 is required then signatures become more important. The estate and spouse may need to split the refund if the estate does not go to the spouse.

]]> By: Judy http://www.moneysnatchers.com/news/what-are-the-tax-filing-requirements-for-a-final-return/comment-page-1/#comment-323 Judy Thu, 21 May 2009 14:55:19 +0000 http://www.moneysnatchers.com/united-states/what-are-the-tax-filing-requirements-for-a-final-return/#comment-323 She can file as married filing jointly, showing any income that either or both of them had. She can sign the return as surviving spouse. She would need any W-2's, 1099's, or other tax documents for herself and her spouse. The return will look very much like a regular return, except that "final return for xxxxx" will be noted on the top. The estate return is separate, and the executor would be responsible for filing that. It would be a good idea for her to let the executor know that she's filing the final return for income taxes, so he doesn't do one too and charge for it. Have her look for a TCE site near her to do the return for her. See irs.gov for more information. I work with that program, and do a few surviving spouse returns every year. She can file as married filing jointly, showing any income that either or both of them had. She can sign the return as surviving spouse. She would need any W-2’s, 1099’s, or other tax documents for herself and her spouse.

The return will look very much like a regular return, except that “final return for xxxxx” will be noted on the top.

The estate return is separate, and the executor would be responsible for filing that. It would be a good idea for her to let the executor know that she’s filing the final return for income taxes, so he doesn’t do one too and charge for it.

Have her look for a TCE site near her to do the return for her. See irs.gov for more information. I work with that program, and do a few surviving spouse returns every year.

]]> By: tma http://www.moneysnatchers.com/news/what-are-the-tax-filing-requirements-for-a-final-return/comment-page-1/#comment-322 tma Wed, 20 May 2009 05:00:38 +0000 http://www.moneysnatchers.com/united-states/what-are-the-tax-filing-requirements-for-a-final-return/#comment-322 She is entitled to file as "married filing jointly" in the year that her spouse died. So if her spouse died in 2006, this is the last year she may file jointly. For the next two years (2007 and 2008) she would file as "single", unless she had a dependent child then she would file as "qualifying widower with dependent child". She would sign the tax return. The executor does not need to sign for her deceased husband. She could file "married filing separately" also for herself for 2006 and have the executor file the deceased spouse's tax return. however, it is usually more beneficial to file a joint return. She is entitled to file as “married filing jointly” in the year that her spouse died. So if her spouse died in 2006, this is the last year she may file jointly.

For the next two years (2007 and 2008) she would file as “single”, unless she had a dependent child then she would file as “qualifying widower with dependent child”.

She would sign the tax return. The executor does not need to sign for her deceased husband.

She could file “married filing separately” also for herself for 2006 and have the executor file the deceased spouse’s tax return. however, it is usually more beneficial to file a joint return.

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