When someone passes away, their taxes don’t disappear. Learn what tax responsibilities remain and how Anthem can help file a final tax return for a deceased loved one.
Do You Have to File Taxes for Someone Who Died?
Yes. According to the IRS, a final individual income tax return must be filed for anyone who was required to file before their passing. This is known as a final Form 1040 and covers the period from January 1st until the date of death.
In addition to that, there may be other filings required depending on the size of the estate and income generated after death. These might include:
- Estate Income Tax Return (Form 1041): If the estate earns income after death (like interest, dividends, or rental income), an estate return may be required.
- State Tax Filings: Many states, including ours, have their own rules for final returns and estate taxes.
Who Is Responsible for Filing the Final Return?
The responsibility usually falls to the executor or personal representative of the estate. If there isn’t one formally appointed, the surviving spouse or another close relative may take on the role.
Our job as CPAs is to work alongside the executor to ensure everything is filed properly, and to help reduce the tax burden wherever possible.
What Documents Will You Need?
When you come to us for help filing a deceased loved one’s tax return, we’ll ask for:
- The Social Security number of the deceased
- Their final W-2s, 1099s, or other income documents
- Details of any assets sold or inherited
- Prior-year tax returns
- Death certificate (for IRS verification)
- Any estate or trust documents (if applicable)
We’ll guide you through gathering what’s needed—we know this isn’t a checklist you expected to be working through.
Can Anthem Help with Taxes After Death?
Absolutely. At our firm, we routinely help families handle these final filings with compassion and attention to detail. Whether your loved one’s tax situation is simple or complex, we take care of the paperwork so you can focus on healing and honoring their memory.
We also advise on questions like:
- “Do I have to pay taxes on inherited property?”
- “How do I handle joint accounts?”
- “Will the IRS come after me for their tax debt?”
- “Is there a deadline to file?”
Don’t Go Through It Alone—Let’s Talk
If you’ve recently lost a parent, spouse, or loved one and aren’t sure where to start with taxes, we’re here to help.
We’ll walk you through every step of the final return and ensure nothing gets missed. We can also connect you with estate attorneys or financial planners if your situation calls for it.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
