The Wife's mother passed, no real property, small estate but there was one account with no beneficiary and I was told (initially) I would need Letters Testamentary which requires Probate. Too small of an account for an attorney, was going to do it myself and as part of the process, I got an EIN from the IRS. I later found out I could get around probate (at least in Washington State) by using the Small Estate Affidavit form. The goal was accomplished, no probate required.
While a little premature I don't believe there will be $600 of taxable estate income, since the value of the accounts is stepped up to be their value at the date of the mother's passing and only an incremental gain after the date of her passing (dividends, interest or capital gains) would be the taxable components.
Two Questions;
1. When I got the EIN from the IRS it came along with a sentence indicating a requirement to file a 2024 Estate Tax 1041. Regardless of that ominous message (which was as stated by the IRS "based on the information received from you") if there isn't $600 in estate income it appears I wouldn't need to file a 1041?
2. If there isn't $600 in Estate attributable income would it be a good idea to send a letter to the IRS (with an explanation) asking them to deactivate the EIN?
Thanks Much for any thoughts.
p.s. I do know if I had to file an Estate 1041, I would need the TurboTax Business edition (not to be confused with the Home and Business edition)
