Can I have the refund direct deposited to an Estate bank account?

[suzbro37]

My mom died last year and I'm filing her income tax return. She is due a refund. Can I use the routing number of her Estate bank account for the refund. I just want to make sure it doesn't get rejected because it's "the Estate of... ". Also, since I'm the court appointed representative, it's my understanding I do not need to file Form 1310. But it's not clear. There was an update to the form 1310 last November, so when I do a search, I'm getting outdated information. Any help would be appreciated!

[M-MTax]

You can file a 1310 if you want the refund check made payable to you.

Otherwise, the direct deposit information needs to exactly match the EIN and name of the account at the bank (or the bank may reject it)

[suzbro37]

Oh, now I'm really confused.  I'm filing my deceased mom's final income tax return (1040) using her SS# (not the EIN).  I won't be filing her final Estate tax return until September.  Since the income tax return will have her Social Security number, I guess the income tax refund cannot go into her Estate account (because the Estate account uses the EIN).  This is so complicated!  I can't use Form 1310 either, because none of the boxes apply to me.  I am the Court-Appointed representative.  Box B on Form 1310 is for court-appointed representatives who are filing a 1040-X.  I am not filing the 1040-X.  I'm just filing her 1040.  I can't possibly be the only person who is in this situation.  Should I hire a tax attorney to help me with this? 

[M-MTax]

You should just likely file as usual. If the DD is rejected, the IRS will simply send you a check made payable to the estate (which you can them deposit in the estate account).

[Prof_LN]

According to TurboTax Deluxe Desktop, you can't have a refund direct deposited to an account with an EIN. If you are the personal representative, you have to enter your SSN on form 1310. Also, in IRS pub 559 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p559.pdf the instructions are for 1040 &1040-SR, with a note about form 1040-X. See pages 5-6 of pub 559 for details. It is very confusing, yes. If you are the personal representative as established by estate documents or by the court, I think box B gets checked. In theory you don't have to submit form 1310, but you have to submit the court certificate. However, in TurboTax Desktop it says that you should submit both. I have to do this for 2025, so I am learning along with you.

[M-MTax]

If you want a check made payable to you, then file the 1310. 

If it makes no difference or a check, if issued, will be deposited in the estate account, then there is no need for a 1310.

[John541]

I have a similar problem. Turbo tax instructions say to complete the 1310 and then mail it in after efile. When it did the final review after I had paid all of the fees it wouldn’t let me efile and now it won’t let me complete the return. I spent several hours on the phone with 2 different tax experts with no resolve other  than offering me a refund.Ask that they escalate this to a program person but haven’t received any response. The IRS publication is confusing but I interpret ot as saying that you CAN efile in this situation. 

[fanfare]

never refuse a refund from  TurboTax, or anyone else for that matter.

@John541 

[suzbro37]

I think the IRS made a change to the form in November '24, and maybe the Turbo Tax software hasn't been updated accordingly.  I have tried every which way to get around this Form 1310 situation, but nothing seems to be working.  I'm just going to do it myself. 

[M-MTax]

@suzbro37 

You no longer need to file a 1310 in your particular situation. You simply need to attach a copy of your court appointment to the 1040.