topic Tax Refund For Deceased person in After you file

Tax Refund For Deceased person

tehchungchoh — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:20:11 GMT

My father passed away last year. He filed the 2020 tax on time (electronic filing) and his return was accepted by IRS. He is due over $17k refund and still has not received this refund. I checked the IRS web site where I input SSN, filing status and the exact refund amount. But the web site cannot find the return. Any advice what I should do? Thank you.

Re: Tax Refund For Deceased person

Anonymous_ — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 19:39:58 GMT

I am sorry for your loss. Was an estate opened? Did you get an EIN for the estate (or trust if he had one)?

Hopefully, you have access to his mail. Regardless, there is little choice other than to wait as the IRS still has a backlog and returns filed by decedents (or on their behalf) simply take longer to process.

I am aware of several personal representatives who filed for refunds on behalf of decedents who passed away in 2019 and the refunds have yet to be received.

Re: Tax Refund For Deceased person

fanfare — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 19:42:16 GMT

@tehchungchoh

If your father's checking account was blocked by his bank due to his passing, the direct deposit would be refused and a check would be mailed to the address on form 1040.

BUT

at last count there are still about six million unprocessed 2020 tax returns sitting with the IRS, mine included.

Re: Tax Refund For Deceased person

fanfare — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 19:43:37 GMT

As of 2021, IRS "where's my refund" no longer works for 2020 tax returns.

Very poor.

Re: Tax Refund For Deceased person

tehchungchoh — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 20:10:33 GMT

Thank you for the reply. Appreciate it.

Re: Tax Refund For Deceased person

tehchungchoh — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 20:12:01 GMT

Do you mean as of 2022 (vs 2021) , the IRS website for checking tax refund no longer works? Because I was able to check in late 2021. Thank you.