US citizen living outside the US passes away at age 78. RMD for his IRA had already been taken for the year of death.
US citizen spouse (also not resident in US) is named beneficiary on the IRA. Her intent is to roll the deceased IRA into her own. She will start taking RMDs in 2026 when she turns 73.
Here's the problem. The IRA custodian will not give the surviving spouse access to the IRA until the estate provides a Federal Transfer Certificate. The decedent's estate is WELL BELOW the $12 million exclusion amount.
Question: Is the beneficiary spouse considered the owner of the decedent's IRA even though it may be several months more before the custodian gives her access to it?
Question: Since the beneficiary cannot elect to treat an IRA as her own if she does not have access to it, does the IRS assume she didn't take the election?
The IRA custodian has told me that the RMDs are not required until the transfer process is completed, which would be after the custodian receives the Federal Transfer Certificate.
I've tried calling the IRS but I get put on hold for an hour and then the call disconnects.
Thank you for any assistance!
