How to learn the status of an estate tax filing for 2017

[gormiksu]

Wife's father died last year (2016) State Retirement paid a death benefit, which had money with held by both IRS and State of California.  IRS assigned  an estate I.D. Number and that is how the forms were identified and filed. No tax needed to be paid, attempting to get the refunded money, how can I find out the status of the refund, or how long do these things take?

[ChelseaS · Accepted solution]

You will need to call the IRS at 800-829-4933 to inquire about the status of the return. The IRS does not post the status of Form 1041 online.

Please note: You should wait at least a week before calling to ensure they have received the return. Sometimes Form 1041s can have a longer processing time than a personal return.

[dspencer0216]

This number is a looping IVR and does not have an option to check the status of a 1041 refund.  There is no option to talk to an agent.  Absolutely frustrating!

[Critter-3]

You are looking at a post that is more than 3 years old ...  try this way ...

Call the IRS: 1-800-829-1040 hours 7 AM - 7 PM local time Monday-Friday
When calling the IRS do NOT choose the first option re: "Refund", or it will send you to an automated phone line.
So after first choosing your language, then do NOT choose Option 1 (refund info). Choose option 2 for "personal income tax" instead.
Then press 1 for "form, tax history, or payment".
Then press 3 "for all other questions."
Then press 2 "for all other questions."
- When it asks you to enter your SSN or EIN to access your account information, don't enter anything.
- After it asks twice, you will get another menu.

Press 2 for personal or individual tax questions.
Then press 4 for all other inquiries
It should then transfer you to an agent.

[anandroid]

This procedure works to speak with an agent.  Unfortunately there is a long wait time.

[ReneeM7122]

You can find out your estate tax return's status in the following ways:

• You can try calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 but the wait times may be quite long. 
• You can  view the IRS tax account.  

Here is a guide to Estate tax returns.

@anandroid