I know this doesn't have to do with taxes per se, but thought i could get an answer here. I contacted the IRS and the guy literally read the info from the IRS webpage I had found and told him didn't answer my question.
My brother passed away in Jan 2021. I submitted his 2020 tax return, noting he had passed away and signed it in my name as the preparer. A few weeks after submitting, I receive a $1400 check made out to my brother followed by "Decd" (deceased) and c/o my name also on the check.
The American Rescue Plan was signed into law in March 2021. Yet the check clearly indicates my brother is deceased and my name is on the check. I even received a nice letter from Joe Biden explaining the payment, addressed in the same manner.
Can I go ahead and endorse this check in my name and deposit it? Or does it need to be returned?
thanks.
