topic Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

Pearls65 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:50:22 GMT

I am the personal rep for my mother's estate. I already sent from 1310 in with my personal rep certification. I also competed the 1310 in Turbotax, selecting "B" personal representative and checking the box that the court certificate of appointment has been sent.

I can't get past the error in Turbotax to file electronically.

I'm in a loop with this message:

"IRS Rules Don't Allow E-filing of your Federal Return

Here are the details:

The taxpayer is decease and the return shows a refund is due. To efile this return, Form 1310, Statement of Person Claiming Refund a Deceased Taxpayer must be completed. "

I really don't want to file on paper. How do I fix this in Turbotax?

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

MichelleLO — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 17:47:21 GMT

Please update your TurboTax software and then try to e-file again. The below TurboTax article will assist with this. If that does not resolve the issue, please comment back.

How do I update my TurboTax CD/Download software program?

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

Pearls65 — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 18:35:51 GMT

Hi, updated and tried again. It still won't let me efile and now says "box c" on form 1310 must be checked to efile. I believe this is incorrect information. Can the software please be fixed. Thank you.

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

CarissaM — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 19:23:26 GMT

It would be best to follow the instructions here to contact us by phone so we can look into this further.

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

Mom_to_Twins — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 13:52:13 GMT

I had this same issue and spoke with a TurboTax Specialist who said the software would not electronically file the return. Based on all form instructions and research I've done, the IRS does allow electronic filing of a deceased individual's return, so this is not an IRS restriction. I definitely would prefer to e-file rather than paper file given the current back log the IRS is experiencing. If anyone has any other information, it would be appreciated.

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

Cass0317 — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 17:06:33 GMT

For information and instructions on filing for someone who is deceased, please see the TurboTax FAQ's below:

@Mom_to_Twins

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

Pearls65 — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 01:21:27 GMT

You're kidding, right? TT still has not fixed the software issue that does NOT let me efile. These links are worthless.

From the TT link you posted: "Yes, the IRS will allow tax returns for deceased taxpayers (also called decedent returns) to be e-filed."

From the TT deluxe software I paid for: "The taxpayer is deceased and the return shows a refund is due. To e-file this return, Form 1310, Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer must be completed"

Form 1310 is completed correctly and is in the TT file. And I've already sent 1310 with the required court appointment attached to the IRS. AND I checked box B1 on the 1310 in TT. AND TT entered (correctly) "Certificate Previously Filed" at the bottom of the 1310. AND it still does not allow me to file electronically.

So, the directions you provided are worthless. Please verify the problem is fixed before replying and causing false hope that I can efile.

I'll be headed to H&R Block to get this done since I have no faith in TurboTax fixing this and I refuse to file on paper when the IRS accepts electronic. Wasted $ on TT. Won't make that mistake ever again.

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

LindseyLO — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 17:38:53 GMT

Please click here to contact TurboTax Customer Support so we can better assist you with getting your return filed.

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

Pearls65 — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 23:18:04 GMT

I did that 2 weeks ago. Talked to 3 people including a tax specialist. All agreed I should be able to efile. Issue was supposed to be escalated. But how would I even know if TT is working on it. Zero confidence.

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

KirstenS — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 00:48:48 GMT

I have the same problem as the original poster. Is anyone working on this?

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

HeatherPLO — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 17:29:24 GMT

Please update your TurboTax software and then try to e-file again. The below TurboTax article will assist with this. If that does not resolve the issue, please reach out to us directly using the Help Article here. This ensures you will get to the correct department as quickly as possible.

How do I update my TurboTax CD/Download software program

@KirstenS

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

Pearls65 — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 02:07:50 GMT

Maybe you should read the entire string before recycling the same ineffective instruction. I've already been told to do what you are telling me to do. You can see this in the string. Unless you have verified the issue is fixed, please don't tell me to do this again. BTW, The issue is still not fixed. Please stop recycling the same message until you verified the fix. It's wasting my time.

Clearly H&R Block is the only way to go here because TT has not fixed it and is not communicating when or if they ever will. Come on TT, get it together!

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

littlerosie99 — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 20:03:34 GMT

to Pearls65- I have EXACTLY the same experience. I was on with Turbo Tax support for over 3 HOURS yesterday and this problem has obviously not been reported to the support group as they were totally unable to deal with it. I was first told to manually back up (no help) . Despite the fact that I kept telling the nice but clueless support person that I am in fact as Personal Rep allowed to efile per irs.gov, after going around and around with him, he told me that the "tax laws don't allow" me to efile. I also learned from irs. gov that I needed to write "Deceased" after my late father's name.

Then, like Pearls65, I opened my program today , added "Deceased" after my father's last name on the personal info part , went to the review part and was told that I can efile only if I check Box C on Form 1310, which would be used by someone who is not a Personal Representative.

My question to Turbo Tax is- a tax return for a deceased taxpayer is efiled through the Turbo Tax program, is Form 1310 included with the information sent to the IRS. ?

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

littlerosie99 — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 20:09:06 GMT

to Pearls65-have you gone to H&R Block? were they able to efile for you? Did they accept the return you already prepared with the Turbotax software or did you have to file out a whole lot of paperwork for all the underlying questions? Finally , how much did it cost?

I am entirely sickened by the time I wasted as well as the $$ on Turbotax!

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

Pearls65 — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 23:28:28 GMT

HR Block told me on the phone they could but when I went in they couldn’t. Called my personal accountant and they said my best option was to file on paper….. The return was very simple and their new client set up process isn’t. My accountant also said they were waiting on other final taxes to clear the IRS for over a year now. I really just want to close out the estate and move on so tried my best to avoid unnecessary delays. Unfortunately I may have one due to the paper process. I just don’t understand why the IRS says you can efile and Turbotax documentation says you can efile, but then wont let you. Poor customer service and poor documentation

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

pmernick1 — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 16:04:28 GMT

Still isn't fixed and still can't e-file a decedent's return. So after spending $$ on TurboTax I'm going to have to file my deceased father's return by mail, paying even more $$ for certified postage. Spent hours on the phone with completely befuddled reps.

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

BRH — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:43:00 GMT

I am having the exact same problem and my turbo tax is up date. It seems to be tied to the fact that a refund is due and program says you can e-file. PS had the same problem last year and eventually i fixed by just applying the refund to next year taxes and it then let me e-file. I cannot do that this year as this is the last year I will file under my mothers EIN.

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

CarissaM — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 17:49:03 GMT

It would be best to follow the instructions here to contact us by phone so we can look into this further. @BRH

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

pmernick1 — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 19:37:09 GMT

I already spent hours on the phone with three different employees. One told me to update the software, that the problem was fixed. It wasn't. The other two agreed that it's a TurboTax issue. As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm not the only one who has had this problem. It goes back years and has not been addressed by TurboTax.

Re: Turbotax won't let me efile for deceased

MarilynG — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 21:04:58 GMT

If you are the surviving spouse of the decedent, Form 1310 is not required.

If you are a Personal Representative and have already sent your court-appointed paperwork to the IRS, Form 1310 is also not needed.

If this applies, indicate in TurboTax that you are an 'other person claiming a refund' and you may then be able to Efile.