The key question is what items did you get reimbursed for. If they were expenses related to the maintenance of the house, the reimbursement would not be taxable. If they were related to an upgrade of the house, those expenses would be added to the basis of the house and your reimbursement would be taxable (capital gains) as an early withdrawal of the basis. In the end, you would be neutral on total taxes but the timing would be different. The Estate is the taxpayer, not you
