2020 Tax Return Status

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
May 13, 2021
16 replies
31 views

I completed and submitted a 2020 Tax Return electronically for my mother-in-law who passed away on 3/16/2021. I received an E-file Status response from TurboTax that the IRS Accepted the return on 3/26/2021. There was a refund due. It's been almost 7 weeks since filing and still we still have not received a refund. Using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool, it reports "You may not have entered your information correctly. Please verify your personal tax data and try again." I've checked and re-checked the data (SSN, Filing Status, and Refund Amount) and it is correct. When I contact the IRS to inquire if they have received the submission, they will not talk to me because I'm not the taxpayer. I've submitted a "Form 56" which is supposed to allow the IRS to share info from my filing. Regardless of my status, why am I getting the response from the IRS tool I described above?? If I resubmit a new return, will this just complicate things further??

KathrynG3

Level 14

Our condolences for your loss.

1. You are getting the message because the IRS will not issue a refund to the deceased and a different form, Form 1310, would be needed to establish you as the authorized representative.

2. You are correct, submitting a new Form 1040 without amending would complicate the situation. Also, the e-filing would be rejected. The e-file only allows for the social security number to be submitted once. Here are options for what can be done:

Reach out to the IRS
Contact an IRS taxpayer advocate for help resolving the matter
Wait for the Notice to be mailed and reach out to the IRS according to the instructions on the Notice.

Form 1310 can used to claim the refund and establishes the authorized representative to receive the refund. Any refund would then be issued in that representative's name. This form can be mailed in by itself. TurboTax can help you prepare the form.

However, if you were appointed personal representative by the court, then do not use this form. The IRS needed a copy of the court certificate showing your appointment attached to Form 1040, instead.
Form 56 is for establishing a fiduciary relationship. It should not be used to establish yourself as an authorized representative. The IRS would want Form 4868, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, instead, but that form requires two signatures.
- If you do not have Power of Attorney and are not the executor or administrator of the decedent's estate, then Form 1310 will be needed, which would only require your signature.

Since your mother-in-law passed away in 2021, she may be eligible for stimulus payments. If she had not received eligible stimulus payments before passing, then it should have been claimed as a Recovery Rebate Credit. If it was not, then you could file an amended return and add Form 1310 at the same time.

Her final return would be filed for 2021 in the spring of 2022.

You may wish to review this resource for more tax guidance about your situation: Death in the Family.
For full details, see IRS Resource: 2020 Publication 559: Survivors, Executors, and Administrators.

Mike972Author

Level 2

Thank you for the info. However, I'm not sure how the IRS would know she is deceased?? It was not indicated on the RETURN...??

JotikaT2

Employee Tax Expert

When you completed her return, you would need to do the following to make sure her date of death is added so the IRS is aware someone else is filing the return on her behalf.

You will need to make an entry in the My Info section of the program though to reflect the date of her passing.

Log back into TurboTax
Select the black panel on the left hand side of the screen and select My Info
Under the page titled Personal info summary, select Edit to the right of her name
Scroll down to section 3, A few other things we need to know. You will be able to answer the questions here to reflect her date of death.

Deceased taxpayer

The top of the return should also say Deceased with the taxpayer's name and date of death. Please see the sample below.

Deceased info page 1

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PV3055

Level 2

I filed my federal and Indiana State taxes electronically. Received an email confirming both state and federal were accepted. This is the first time I filed Indiana State Taxes electronically and provided my bank information for payment. Is there additional information I am required to be mailed to the state?

Please advise. How can I get an electronic receipt from Federal and Indiana State tax authorities? Appreciate your response................Thanks, Prasad

DawnC

Level 15

If your returns have been accepted, you don't need to mail anything in. You can check your e-file status to find the confirmations you are looking for. There are rare cases when you need to send information in to the IRS or state, but that information and instructions would be printed out when you printed your tax forms. @PV3055

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PV3055

Level 2

Thanks.

My 2020 Indiana State taxes were filed electronically and ta due payment was made via my bank account. I received e mail confirmation Indiana State Taxes were accepted. Am I required to send any additional paperwork to INDIANA STATE FINANCE DEPARTMENT